Watched the movie “The Fountain” last night, which contains horrific scenes from the Spanish Inquisition. What makes our modern world different than the “Dark Ages”?
- Technology
- Freedom of thought and respect for human rights
While these may seem connected (freedom of thought –> science –> technology), they can be separated. The Nazi’s used advanced technology to do rather cruel things, which shows that #1 does not necessarily lead to #2. Furthermore, documented hunter-gatherer societies were strongly egalitarian, showing that #2 does not necessarily lead to #1.
I fear our civilization slipping back into barbarity, not because we could lose technology, but because we could lose sight of our values. There’s a lot of fear going around that some “other” is out to destroy your way of life. I see fear –> anger –> hate –> irrationality, which feeds more fear. I see it right here on FB, in the way some people speak to others, or in how they describe political opponents.
People who do atrocities are no different than us. Really. Having flush toilets, electric lights and cell phones don’t make us any better than the Spanish in the 1400s. The monster is right here, waiting to get out. That’s what I fear more than any political persuasion, brand of idea, religion, race or whatever.
Tame the monster inside yourself … while you still have time.