I am making a strange observation.In the midst of all the catastrophic, cataclysmic, chaotic and cathartic events, the world seems to go all but quiet.
At first I noticed the frequency of the news updates getting less, then even the updates on the websites of the BBC, Al Jazeera or the New York Times seemed to come to a mere trickle. It is like the world is holding its breath.
Only the social media are buzzing.
In particular with Japan I found it interesting, how slow the media came round to report that we are actually facing a disaster of such enormous magnitude and scope, like we have never seen before. And I am not only talking about the humanitarian toll of tens of thousands people dead, injured, displaced or having lost loved ones, I am talking about the global impact of a worst case scenario actually happening.
Maybe it is because nobody thought a nuclear meltdown in the wake of a twin disaster of an earthquake cum tsunami was too far out to actually happen – and yet, it is unfolding.
In the wake of the events in Japan, as the world is watching in disbelief the workers at the nuclear reactors to retake control after blast and fire, the battle for Lybia rages on, Bahrain called a state of emergency and Saudi troops are rushing in, Palestinian hold “unity” rallies and Israel intercepts an arms laden ship.
Just a normal day in 2011. Cataclysmic events are beating down like a hailstorm. Maybe it is more than the human mind can take ? An isolated event, like a flood, an environmental disaster or a even a coup d’état, take much time to digest, analyse and categorise. How much was written and talked about the BP oil spill and response, how closely did we witness the flood in Queensland , how much did we participate in the Tunisian and Egyptian protests, but now ? We see news tickers and live updates, but I am missing the voice of the budding conscious journalism, to strike up a tune of solidarity, solace and sanity in a world that is turning faster and faster. It seems like the human mind is crying out – enough. I cant take any more.
Well, if only.
The Living Room 
The human mind has been repeatedly shown to shut down in times when it believes it is overwhelmed. Changes that are occurring now globally are coming fast and furious. Politics, social norms, weather and natural disasters seem to be changing daily. People are doing their best to digest all these changes however there are no resources to rely on to give a person a meaningful understanding of what is happening since no one has ever experienced such changes themselves at this rate. So in a way everyone is on their own. As already mentioned even the media can’t keep up. Then too mainstream religions are generally quiet.
I would differ on the title of this piece. A worst case scenario implies generally something(s) negative occurring. How about a fast paced rate of change instead. Change is to me neither bad or good. Neither is the rate of these changes.
Usually after the initial shock of something we humans tend to look for answers. Some will say all this is God related. Some of those that do speak of God’s wrath and judgment. Others will point fingers at decisions and choices people made. The blame game often becomes an integral part of seeking answers. Generally though, events are not considered as a collective creation. Personal responsibility for our feelings and thoughts on all levels is not felt to be a contributing factor in what shows up.
Have a feeling that what we are now experiencing as changes have only just begun.
Peace with Love,
Michael
Hi Michael,
thanks for the note – the title was not supposed to sound negative but allude to the arrogance of the human mind believing we are in control…or even can come up with something that is called a “worst case scenario”
I will make a note…thanks for making me aware.
Beautiful observations.
I find myself pausing or perhaps its better to say I find myself being paused. In the past I never really followed the news because I thought it was too depressing or that it just showed the horrors of the world. I find that I am watching and listening more these days, and that somehow there is a space to hold the suffering. I feel more attuned to it but less overwhelmed by it somehow.
I keep reflecting on impermanence – how the entire world can change in a few moments – how it is changing each moment – even if we don’t always notice those changes – how incredibly precious life is.
Michael’s wisdom about the blame-game which is likely to emerge is also interesting to note. How do my actions or lack of action and way of being in the world contribute to all of what you named Michela? Am I even aware of it all?
I came across this Sri Ramana Maharshi quote the other day and pinned it to my cube at work:
“Wanting to reform the world without discovering one’s true self is like trying to cover the world with leather to avoid the pain of walking on stones and thorns. It is much simpler to wear shoes. “