What Are We Humans Facing — What do We Want

Months ago, it became obvious that we humans had not learned from our latest obvious and common disaster — the Coronavirus epidemic, however interpreted.

Our unwillingness to face and meet our real challenges — environmental degradation and its consequences, untenable consumption, and population growth — led us to one more conflict here and one more conflict there. We could continue to hide like ostriches from painful reality by concentrating on armaments, firepower and the riches that could bring to some while devastating multitudes of others.

What are, after all, hills of plastic and other trash compared to blown-up skyscrapers and mothers running from gunfire with their children? What are the cries of whales as they beach themselves compared to the sight of the draped corpses of the young of our own species? And what is a giant hurricane and the houses and few lives it destroys in the light of the daily images of the annihilation of urban centers that we have inflicted ourselves?

There is nothing interesting in taking up our own thermostats five degrees higher in the summer or five degrees lower in the winter. It just leads to an uncomfortable state in the house or the apartment during our ever-increasing heat waves or the need to put on sweaters when the cold finally arrives. There is nothing glamorous about walking to a bus stop or waiting for a train when we can navigate our own cars while listening to our favorite tunes.

The problem with our real challenges is that they deprive us of the comforts we have become used to. So, we choose to watch the suffering of others, as we sit or recline in easy chairs. What happens when we are the ones who are hit by firepower or the onslaught of powerful winds? Will we provide the minute of forgetfulness for someone else in an easy chair?