Several years ago, I decided to no longer own an automobile as it seemed ridiculous to pay for and maintain something only sporadically used. As such, I mainly walk or ride the bus, occasionally renting a vehicle or using a ride-sharing service when necessary. Of course, this assuredly will change and I will rejoin the great American car culture in the near future. Riding the bus, I have observed that typically everyone keeps to themselves and desires to be left alone - a sentiment I fully embrace and understand - with their faces buried either in their phone, tablet or other gadget. To my point - and this equally pertains to social media as well - although we are all connected in our modern lives, are we really communicating with each other? It is not baseless to believe that this undoubtedly is a contributing factor to society's current ills, to say the least.
Oftentimes, my general aversion of people and overall disdain for humanity is misconstrued as an outright, if not perchance irrational, loathing of both. However, it is quite to the contrary - for the most part. This attitude stems mainly from the study of history and the harrowing atrocities of which individuals and groups alike have been capable of throughout it - and that their contemporary equivalents continue to perpetuate, frustrating any potential wasted by such actions. Having landed on the Moon in 1969, there measurably should be a permanent colony on it by now - if not beyond on the outer reaches of our solar system - to further explore the fundamentals of existence. Instead, humanity continues to devise ways to annihilate itself from existence on this singular body we zealously remind ourselves as our only home.
Like countless others of a certain age, I grew up watching Bob Barker and The Price Is Right - especially on those glorious mornings home “sick” from school. During that one hour of the day, you cheer on and root for strangers to win. This is partly the reason I still tune in: the hope that it inspires. Hope not only for individual contestants but for humanity as a whole to succeed. Mr. Barker's genial and considerate demeanor exuded a lot of this optimistic sentiment, passionate in his encouragement toward everyone appearing on the game show; Drew Carey, of course, continues the custom in his own animated and kind way. Imagine if that message would extend past that hour, though, and engulf the world, desperately in need of it, beyond a television screen? One can dream, as many have before.
Merry Christmas and, hopefully, a Happy New Year. To, and especially for, all mankind.
Oftentimes, my general aversion of people and overall disdain for humanity is misconstrued as an outright, if not perchance irrational, loathing of both. However, it is quite to the contrary - for the most part. This attitude stems mainly from the study of history and the harrowing atrocities of which individuals and groups alike have been capable of throughout it - and that their contemporary equivalents continue to perpetuate, frustrating any potential wasted by such actions. Having landed on the Moon in 1969, there measurably should be a permanent colony on it by now - if not beyond on the outer reaches of our solar system - to further explore the fundamentals of existence. Instead, humanity continues to devise ways to annihilate itself from existence on this singular body we zealously remind ourselves as our only home.
Like countless others of a certain age, I grew up watching Bob Barker and The Price Is Right - especially on those glorious mornings home “sick” from school. During that one hour of the day, you cheer on and root for strangers to win. This is partly the reason I still tune in: the hope that it inspires. Hope not only for individual contestants but for humanity as a whole to succeed. Mr. Barker's genial and considerate demeanor exuded a lot of this optimistic sentiment, passionate in his encouragement toward everyone appearing on the game show; Drew Carey, of course, continues the custom in his own animated and kind way. Imagine if that message would extend past that hour, though, and engulf the world, desperately in need of it, beyond a television screen? One can dream, as many have before.
Merry Christmas and, hopefully, a Happy New Year. To, and especially for, all mankind.
©2023 Steve Sagarra
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