|
I've been thinking about this subject tonight. Personally, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't last long in this kind of environment. If my children were still young and with me it might be different...I'm pretty sure it would be, but my youngest is eleven and I don't see a scenario like this evolving within the next 50 years or so if ever, barring unforeseen natural disasters. But anyway, that's not really my point.
One the one hand, I understand the survival instinct - that need to feel prepared and to survive if and when everything falls apart. I do. Even if I'm too effete and spoiled by the persistence of privilege to feel it much in myself, intellectually I am aware and have considered that it's possibly folly to think that our cumbersome, top-heavy way of life can just go on and on and on indefinitely.
On the other hand, I can't help but think that those who will be the most prepared to maintain their autonomy by force might ultimately be the ones we have the most to fear from in the 'new world.' Most particularly when it comes time to organize again, as would happen no doubt. I don't mean to be provocative or insult anyone, it's just been on my mind tonight. It may be naive to believe that society would never completely fall apart, but it would also be naive to think that authoritarian power from 'the haves' might not once again become a problem for the 'have nots.' Can't say there's not a precedent for it.
__________________
Most people go through life dreading they'll have a traumatic experience. Freaks were born with their trauma. They've already passed their test in life. They're aristocrats. - Diane Arbus
PESSIMISM, n. A philosophy forced upon the convictions of the observer by the disheartening prevalence of the optimist with his scarecrow hope and his unsightly smile. - Ambrose Bierce
|