In the old days, when a king would come to power, one of the first things he would usually do is tear down everything the previous king had built so everything left standing would carry his name and not that of his predecessor. I see the same practice being carried out today in a different form. A person is brought in to head up a department, and he'll scrap the projects the previous person was working on in favor of what he wants to do.
It seems many people want to make their own distinctive mark on the world rather than building on the foundation already in place. It's sad because it limits progress to the efforts of a single generation. The moment the next one comes along, whoosh, gone, reset.
Humanity hasn't changed much in its history. We may have new technology and advances in science and medicine, but the same social problems thousands of years ago are still present today. People still murder, rape, and torment each other in various horrible ways. Humanity as a whole is stuck in the mud. Some people advance and grow beyond such failings, but unless it's passed to the next generation, the progress will halt with them and the rest of society is still stuck.
Civilizations have risen throughout history, accomplishing great and amazing things, but then they collapse; all their knowledge, understanding, and progress falls to dust. Another society rises from the ashes and thrives for a time, but they too fall. Dust and ashes. It happens over and over throughout history, and it's one of the things that is depressing for me. All the advancements made by the society and its people are shining and great for a time, but they don't last.
If humanity is going to make actual progress in being better, we need to build on the good things of the former generation, so those who come after us will have a head start in making something great. Only when the efforts of the previous or current generation become the foundation of the efforts of the next will progress be made. Otherwise, humanity is just a hamster on a wheel, expending great energy but not getting anywhere.
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My Musings
Non-FictionThoughts, ideas, philosophy, and points of view, this book is where you'll find mine. If you're wondering what I think about and why I write books the way I do, this is the book for you. Have fun and happy reading.
