16 March 2009

Reading through this week's copy of Economist magazine leads me to only one conclusion: the world truly is  a circus; I was going to say zoo, but it doesn't fit being a zoo - zoos are quiet peaceful places.  Or perhaps it is a children's playground; yes that might be appopriate.

The one thing that is consistent throughout is the impression of total lack of control, amazing self-absorption, and unbelievable chaos.  Now, I know that is the coverage, since media covers the high (no pun intended) points, and much of life goes on as always.  I know this because I also read the letters to the editor in response to an article about California that suggested it was coming apart at the seams ($40B or so in the red?).  Not so, said the writers - all is well in California and us middle-classers are doing just fine, else why would people still be coming here?  Because it's still better than Mexico?  Sorry, I lost my head; one  can't say that these days.  But then these are the folks that prefer to act as ostriches and ignore silly things like state deficits - Dr. Pangloss, I presume.

Besides, the rest of the world is so much more ridiculous - particularly politics in places in Africa and the Near East.  No problems there - just rampant greed and abject poverty - oh, and continual bickering.  Well, maybe some small problems.  It goes on and on, however, and the reporting is seriously suggesting that something useful can come from all this. 

Watch children, young children play sometime.  They are full of energy, immaturely oblivious of other than self, and bound and determined to do what they want, until they no longer want to do it.  When all is going their way they are fine; when it isn't they are demanding someone do something.  Sound familiar?

I sincerely believe that the world has become - is - a tragi-comedy.  One would expect without question that a tragic ending is imminent.  But we somehow keep staggering along.  Well, we all don't, but those that don't are not news, until suddenly they are.  More tragi-comedy.

Bernard le Bovier de Fontenelle (18th century philosopher): "A philosopher sees the earth as a large planet, traveling through the heavens, covered with fools."  Just so.