History Classes are Harlequin Novels

No singular thing seems to cause anything in particular. It always seems to be multiple things contributing to an effect of any sort. This is true with nature, science, and especially thoughts.

Combine reading "A Short History of Progress"a few months ago, with 2006 poised to be the new 'hottest year on record' (congratulations '06), and add seeing "Apocalypto" in for good measure and your end result will be some pretty interesting thoughts from yours truly.

As a society we tend to hold some romantic nostalgic view of the past. During tough times (like now for example) we like to think back on the 'good olde days'. Those peaceful times of our forefathers. Those happy-go-lucky early days of man, nobly struggling to survive while creating the foundations of our current society. Those great times in the 80's when everyone popped their collar and... wait... the 80's sucked and most everyone dressed like jack-offs.

My point exactly!

Man has been killing man in order to acquire more wealth since time first began. The few isolated societies that achieved something resembling balance with their surroundings (although none were perfect themselves) were all eventually slayed by other men looking to acquire MORE. Man has always killed man for his own benefit and man will continue to kill man for believed benefit. Or will he?

It seems someone else has stepped up, or in if you will. Good ol' Ma Nature. And like any mother of fighting children would do, we are about to get the proverbial slap to the back of the head. She, however, hits a little harder than my own mum (just a little bit mind you).

You see, she has had about enough of our little tirade. This will not stop us though. As things take a turn and we find ourselves with not enough land, food, water (your pick really) man is going to continue to do what man has always done: kill other men to acquire that which he desires. This is the reality to our fairey tale history classes.

Those who have found some sense of balance will ultimately surcome to the violence of his fellow man. If man continues to play out this drama which he has played out for ages he will find that nature has decided to take what she needs and man will find himself without... and soon gone.

Life will go on. Energy will go on. Man, however, will walk himself right off the stage like Kelsey Grammer giving a speech at Disney. i don't mean to sound pessimistic but the reality is man has never changed since his inception. That is a lot of momentum. If we cannot find it in ourselves to change, we will have the opportunity taken away from us. The first step is to acknowledge the past for what it is. Waxing nostalgic stops us from making amends and even more importantly corrections.

This is as true for looking back over this passed year as it is for looking back over man's history. We must look at it for what it is and hopefully take something away from our mistakes. There is always room to hope if we allow ourselves room to change.

(Why does typing "it is" always make me want to type "titties"?)

Word of the Year

Giving my significant other a good olde fashioned hard time on the ride home tonight i invented a new term that i am quite proud of: "Brattitude".

The word seems pretty straightforward but for those of you whose mom and dad were cousins before spouses it is a combination of brat and attitude, or a bratty attitude.

This stopped her in her tracks (as one might imagine) and got me so proud of myself i felt the need to insert it into several common attitude quotes from various movies and songs.

There... you can't say i didn't accomplish anything this year. i came up with a new word. What did you do this year? Bet you didn't invent a new word.