No Enemy But Time
We stand as the culmination of a complex tapestry woven from the hardships and triumphs of the past. The human race has emerged victorious: if you are alive today, you are a winner.
We inhabit an era that generations before us could only dream of—a time that is the envy of every civilization that has come before. We are privileged to witness medical marvels that once seemed impossible, to understand the intricacies of mental illness, and to cure ailments like blindness and leprosy. Our engineering feats stretch the limits of our imagination, global poverty has significantly decreased, and nearly everyone has access to technology that connects us in ways previously unimaginable.
We have unraveled the mysteries of biology and DNA, while the field of physics edges ever closer to its own boundaries. In this moment, we have brought 4.54 billion years of questions to their knees. Today, 90% of all scientists who have ever lived are actively contributing to our understanding of the universe. For every groundbreaking figure like Einstein, there are countless others pushing the boundaries of knowledge in science today. We are bolder and more enlightened than ever before; science itself seems to shrink in the face of our relentless curiosity.
Søren Kierkegaard wisely stated, “Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.”
We are the fruits of the dreams of those who dared to envision what life in 2025 could be. We are the realization of science fiction, living in a Tomorrowland that once existed only in imaginations. We embody the improbable aspirations of those who never believed humanity could conquer flight or explore the cosmos.
We possess the capacity to manipulate the very fabric of the universe. We have harnessed electricity in ways that transform our lives daily—imagine if electricity were invented today; our infrastructure would look entirely different. Such reflections remind us that the past was a vastly different landscape shaped by the context of its time.
We find ourselves in a world that echoes the predictions of sacred texts like the Bible, Qur’an, and Bhagavad Gita. Even for those who don’t subscribe to their teachings, there’s a resonance with the futures they envisioned. We have created materials harder than diamonds, developed advanced tools for space exploration, and pioneered new systems of governance, economic theories, and synthetic materials. Our innovations in medicine, technology, and the arts continue to unfold, and we are only at the beginning of this journey. Tomorrow promises even more.
We have faced the trials of a global pandemic, witnessed devastating natural disasters, and observed near-catastrophic celestial events. We have delved into the mysteries of volcanoes, the intricacies of biology, and the complexities of our own existence.
“I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.”
—Albert Einstein
Despite our achievements, we have only journeyed to the moon a mere twelve times, with only twenty-four men having set foot upon its surface. With the majority of scientists alive today, it is imperative that we send women to the moon without delay.
The rise of the internet has disrupted societal norms, creating a world of information overload and cognitive dissonance. We navigate a landscape where truth and falsehood intertwine, often questioning our trust in established authorities. The technology we wield today would have seemed like witchcraft a mere quarter-century ago, yet we accept it with little reflection. This gradual acclimatization serves as a reminder of our complacency in the face of rapid change.
In a world where subjective experience often eclipses objective truth, we find ourselves grappling with the implications of identity and societal norms. The very essence of innocence and beauty has been eroded by the passage of time, as honor and courage become relics of a bygone era. The legacies of our heroes are scrutinized, and the statues that once commemorated them now face the threat of being toppled.
We confront a history marred by repression and judgment, where the unborn may be deemed guilty of past sins. Society has adopted a victim mentality, and adulthood is often equated with a desire for perpetual childhood.
“If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face—forever.”
—George Orwell, 1984
We have traversed a long and winding path through the fog of progress. Each of us carries the weight of history; no one emerges into 2023 unscathed. Acknowledging this truth is essential to recognizing our shared humanity and the monumental struggles of our ancestors. We are the spoils of an incredibly intricate past; we have made it. The human race has triumphed. If you are alive, you are part of that victory.
Sources:
www.eclipseaviation.com
www.futureoflife.org
www.brainyquote.com
https://pubs.usgs.gov
www.gettyimages.ca
