Musings

We all had a really interesting discussion tonight about endangered species. Well, at least when we started talking we were discussing endangered species. We diverged into a heated discourse about responsible consumerism, indigenous peoples, personal responsibility, economic trends, etc. etc. etc. There was a lot of whining about the digression, but I didn’t mind. It was fascinating to hear everyone speak. We are all incredibly egocentric, whether we like to admit it or not.

I don’t really think it’s possible to adopt any sort of universal perspective. Every individual is shaped by his or her own experiences; every individual looks through his or her own lens. We have all been socialized! It’s hard to wrap my mind around it, but I just keep thinking about paradigms. Every aspect of my life is shaped by paradigms. (Even this fact, that everything is shaped by paradigms, is a paradigm itself!!) I see things a certain way, and even though I consider myself open-minded, I realize that I can never truly see the world from someone else’s perspective.

But really, this unavoidable reality shouldn’t be an obstacle, nor should we attempt to defy it. It doesn’t mean that we can’t all get along; it doesn’t mean we have to be in a perpetual state of war over our differences. Rather, we (and by we, I mean humanity) should find strength in what distinguishes us from each other. If we can pursue an open dialogue on a basis of understanding and consideration, we can make choices that might just save the planet. Maybe?

I’m pretty pessimistic about the state of the world; if I’m really honest with myself, I don’t think we’re going to make it. I’m not really sure what I mean by “making it,” but the future isn’t looking too hot. I do know that I don’t believe in any god. Or in heaven. Or in any other form of afterlife. This is it, kiddos. Sorry to break it to you, but there’s nothing on the other side. There is no other side!

We only get one shot at life.

And I for one plan on taking full advantage of the few years I have here on this beautiful, mysterious, dynamic planet. I want to see as much of the world as possible. Human beings are utterly captivating—we’re such an extraordinary species. We create, we create, we create… then we destroy. We are still animals—we’re only animals—but we’re not monkeys anymore. I’m really happy with my Sociology major (even if I did choose it by process of elimination) and I hope that I’ll be able to explore some incredible facets of human society during my lifetime. In the future, I think I’d like to study Conservation or some other form of Environmental Science. Maybe get a PhD. I’m pretty sure that planet Earth is headed towards a disaster—whether it’s a nuclear holocaust or a climate meltdown or whatever—but I plan on learning whatever I can while I can.