Civilisations

Great civilisations come and go as surely as a rain shower. History demonstrates this repeatedly. The pace of them coming and going seems to be accelerating due to the numerous, usual historical reasons, and now, aided by the rapid pace of technological advancement.

Since the beginning of the 20th Century we have seen the rise and fall and rise of Russia; the new rising of China; the late twilight years of the British Empire; the current, pending decline of the United States as it slides into the abyss of Nazism; the rise and fall and rise of Japan; and in Germany, the rise of Nazism whose fall, fortunately, was quick, although incredibly destructive and devastating on a level unmatched in human history. I am heartened by the rise of post World War II Germany.

The people living in these powerful civilisations think it is forever, but, it’s not. Our lives last less than a blink of the eye in the annals of time. As Bryan Adams sang, “I guess nothing can last forever.” It can’t and it won’t. Human nature will not allow it. A civilisation gets comfortable and purposely distracted by “toys”, and ultimately, this leads to its downfall. Will we ever learn?

In spite of all this, I still hope for love, peace and harmony for the world. I will not give up on this notion because we have the ability to reason, if we so choose. It would be wonderful to see us use the power of our minds to ascend to a better world for everyone.