Sample Chapter 5
Man and Fouling his Nest
Man simply cannot use earth's resources as efficiently and conservatively as he should. Take the use of energy for example. Man is so dependent on fossil fuels despite what it does to the environment. When this finally runs out,as in now there is a huge demand for an alternative, man will discover some other form of energy and proceed to produce it in so much quantities that its harmful effect will soon surface. We prefer going about it this way, rather than trying to achieve a critically balanced variety of energy sources that supplement one another and help maintain the earth's “default atmospheric” constituent setting. Meaning, if the quantity of a certain gas was X% in the atmosphere, before man starts his mass activities, then we should strive to maintain it at that level. Is it not wise to assume that Mother Nature set it at that default level for a reason? Is it not man that said there should be a measure in all things and not nature! So the key economic strategy now ought to have more of “environmental equilibrium” in it and not only economies of scale; as it has been.
I believe, we are supposed to ensure balance and continuity. But what do we do instead! We plunder earth's resources; animals and plants included. We clear forests; thereby destroying animal habitats. And then complain when they encroach into our farmlands. We kill the animals for profit and end up with endangered animals then blame one another for the mess. We've definitely long forgotten that we can drive out nature with a pitchfork, but she keeps on coming back. Now that the damage has been done, I hope we're a little wiser; since the event has already taken place; even though some supernatural force could be working with nature to push us into submission.
The population of man on earth is currently at about 6.4 billion and still rising. At this level, man and beast are already reeling from the effects of overpopulation. It is widely known that we are the superior creatures here on earth. But weren't we supposed to supervise the earth and not destroy and oppress! Weren't we supposed to be the intelligent ones?
It's sad that these days many beasts of the world have to live in enclosures these days; actually animal slums in the animal world. Their ranges have been reduced to jogging tracks. Migration is between small ranges unlike before. And what is man doing? Not much, right! We are so clever, yet we cannot coexist in a controlled set-up. We have to be the victims of our own weaknesses and excesses; sort of prey to ourselves really. Everything that man does has to be done in excess, it seems. Even when we notice the damages that these excesses do to us, we somehow cannot stop. So much for being the most intelligent! It has never crossed our minds that animals could be more superior. They have keener eye sights, sense of smell and maybe even touch, among a host of other unknown senses. What if the Supreme Being reversed roles for a day or even an hour, would the world still be the same?
In June 2008, there were reports of overflowing rivers breaking their banks and prompting evacuations—besides damaging property and disrupting life—in Iowa area in the US. It was not explained, widely enough, why this was happening but the cause is already known. The incidence was isolated and taken to be just another storm in a tea cup. In other reports, there was news of the continual damage to the ozone and how humanity faced grave danger. The point is very few reporters try to join the dots in these related cases. They simply focus on the happening that they are reporting. The editor of the news or tabloid simply cuts and pastes this reports without linking them all up. So most of us will, just as well, read these news features in isolation. Somebody cutting trees in Brazil will not see the connection with floods in, say, Sudan. And so it seems, if these things don't happen to our community or families, we're hardly driven to act. It’s akin to continuously driving on a rough, uneven, road diversion—while the new tarmac purportedly dries up—having missed the sign that announces the end of the diversion.
There could be a million storms in a million teacups. But man will choose to look at them all in isolation. And even if we did connect the dots, we are unable to join hands and save ourselves. It seems the wildebeests beat us at that. During the wildebeest migration period, in the Mara game reserve, more than a million wildebeests, two hundred thousand zebras and gazelles, gang-up and trek great distances to fend against the dry season and enemies; including the crocodiles lurking in the Mara river.
We, on the other hand, watch and marvel at them; never thinking of borrowing a leaf and countering our own challenges as a team. In fact, on the day the animals cross the “croc-infested” river, as many as one hundred and twenty cars have been witnessed near the crossing point; obviously affecting the animals and the spectacle as a whole. If there ever is an external Being, watching us from somewhere, then he or it must be confused on who the jack-ass ought to be; especially after we named the migration the seventh wonder of the world and put it on satellite TV. Perhaps, according to him, this event is supposed to make us think of joining hands and resolving our own troubles; as a matter of urgency. “What a shame! They still can't see; even after doing all this!” He must be saying.
If all animals were suddenly able to talk and sit together and discuss, what would they talk about? I bet, they would not discuss themselves. They would just focus on man. Goodness me! I would run like hell if these animals were to be granted a wish. Just one wish! What do you think they will beg or wish for?
Meanwhile, man is digging up holes on the very ground that he stands on; extracting all sorts of stuff and believing it's the ground's business to be there waiting to be trampled on. And what does he do with whatever he brings to the fore. Some maim one another; others even kill for it. Some sell the stuff and for, sometime, proceed to waste the proceeds from the sale. Others use it for a while and then throw it away. Some even hoard it; only to give in when some other material is discovered and adopted instead. Very few people bother to return it back to where they got it, after its use is done. They simply come back for more and more. And when it's all over, they discover something else and rush to extract it.
As for those who have been blessed with this stuff, they begin living like small gods. The same people, if asked to give a meal to a beggar, would rather help him by shooting him dead; preferring to help him out of his misery. Just like they do to injured horses! It's really true when they say there is enough to feed the world but there isn't enough to fill one man's greed.
Can you imagine the day it will be splashed on our local dailies that fuel stocks are almost depleted? That there is just enough to last a week! I know of a couple of people who will rush to their garages, remove their beasts of pleasure and drive to the next gas station. They will fill up their car's fuel tanks and proceed to drive up and down the road, at full throttle. They will come back to the station for a re-fill and repeat the process; if only to enjoy it while it lasts.
I know of people who will storm car showrooms, at gun-point, and drive out with their dream cars. They will proceed to the gas station and do the same as the fellow above. The government estimates based on past-consumption-figures will suddenly not add up. The fuel will be out in a day.
Of course there will be that, pre-informed, smart-ass who will be holding thousands of liters under his house. He will proceed to live his life as if nothing has happened; at least not to the well-heeled like him. Those who thought it would last a week and proceeded to waste it, will be at the government's neck trying to know why their estimate was so inaccurate. Folly Hmm! Could this be one of the lead wires or lead traps!
One credible explanation to our uncertainty is that someone or something could be working behind the scenes trying to tell us or teach us something. If it’s a Supreme Being, then it is a brutal but worthy lesson. But the brighter side of it all, is that there could be a way we could bypass the course and just get the credits! Yes, that way exists! And it could be "The Grand Counter Test."
Read the rest of this article in my book “The End” and end this harsh lessons once and for all. According to me, it’s a win win situation for man and Superior Being alike.....And even if I am dead wrong,our creator might just be impresed and make "The Grand Counter Test" work.
Sample Chapter 6| Main Sample Page
Favorite Ideology: The new "world creation myth."
Copyright © 2009 John Lerrato. All Rights Reserved