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The Human Virus

When seen as a whole, the human body appears as one solid mass; one single functioning unit. The reality, of course, is that all animals, all phenomena really, are made up of many interrelated parts on many diverse levels. Objects look different depending on how they are viewed; close up or from far away. Take the planet we live on. From the view of astronauts it is one solid whole. The only sign of independent movement comes from the swirling of weather systems through the planet’s atmosphere. However, when one looks closer, there are many microcosms of activity associated with the planet Earth. The elements that make up those microcosms have as much impact on the planet as does each cell, tissue or organ on the human body. If just one of the Earth’s systems is running out of kilter, the planet will suffer. Suffice it to say that this is the very situation that the Earth finds itself in today.

One of the Earth’s major organs has run amok due to the unhealthy activity of the single cells that comprise that organ. That which was once a fit network of cells that functioned well within the whole is showing signs of cancerous activity. The organ’s cells continuously attack one another while overwhelming the cells of other organs and systems, including the systems that give life to the malignant cells.

Humanity is quickly becoming a virus infecting the host that it so depends upon for survival. Not only does the human race attack and kill each other, it seeks out to destroy the individual components that make up other equally necessary systems: animals, plants, and components of the planet’s atmosphere. Humanity may see itself as the highest functioning creature on the planet but it seems to be oblivious to the one trait that no other species possesses; the capacity for self destruction. What is unknown about this possible outcome is whether or not Humanity renders the planet unlivable for all life through its species-wide suicide.

The idea that man can live above and outside of the natural world that surrounds it abounds today as it has for centuries. Humans still believe that nature can be controlled to suit the purposes of humans alone. All life other than Homo sapiens would appear to exist solely for use and exploitation by this species.

As with any living organism, the planet as a whole will fight back against that which is attempting to devastate it. Man already possess the means to destroy itself and may well be capable of obliterating the planet entirely. It remains to be seen whether or not the planet has the ability to defend itself against such an aggressive disease.

Posted by The Webtoad at 04:43 PM | Comments (0)

Tibet

The Portsmouth Herald deserves kudos for running a story concerning Tibet in its most recent Sunday edition. The issues that face this Himalayan nation are serious and getting worse. It’s most obvious problem is that of the Chinese occupation that threatens to eradicate Tibetan culture. Just this past week, the Chinese government completed the first ever rail line that directly links Tibet’s capital Lhasa to China. This is sure to increase the number of ethnic Chinese that have been coming to Tibet in recent years in what appears to be an attempt by Beijing to change the ethnic profile of Tibet.

Furthermore, Tibet’s exiled spiritual and political leader, the Dalai Lama, is aging. This month, he turned 71 and is showing signs of slowing down. With his passing, Tibet could be without an international figurehead for many years. To make matters worse, the person charged with recognizing the next incarnation of the Dalai Lama, the Panchan Lama, is under house arrest somewhere in China and the Chinese government won’t even admit to having him in custody. In his place, Beijing has appointed their choice as Panchan Lama in the hopes of controlling the process of choosing Tibet’s next leader. That would spell the end of Tibet as an independent entity.

This issue is not a new one. The Chinese invaded Tibet in 1950. Thanks to the Herculean efforts of the Dalai Lama, the entire world outside of China knows of the crisis facing the Tibetan people. From his base in Dharamsala India, he has tirelessly traveled the globe spreading the grim facts. Despite all this knowledge, the countries of the world have failed to act (as they so often do). The Tibetan people are in grave danger of extinction within the next few generations. Without the Dalai Lama and thanks to the influx of ethnic Chinese, this danger may very well become reality.

Posted by The Webtoad at 03:49 PM | Comments (1)

Disproportionate Response

In the latest edition of the Economist, an article appears on the worsening situation between Israel and the Palestinians. As usual, the magazine does a good job of placing responsibility equally on both sides. In this article however, the author brings in the concept of disproportionate response. It is this idea that has so bothered me with regards to the conflict.

In short, the idea of disproportionate response states that one side is over reacting to what the other side has done. In this case, the Israelis are responding to the Palestinians disproportionately. For example, the Palestinians are holding an Israeli soldier. For this, the Israelis have responded by killing at least 25 Palestinians and taking into custody 8 members of the Palestinian ruling party, Hamas. Furthermore, Israel already has in custody a few thousand Palestinian political prisoners, 800 of whom are being held with out being charged.

The taking of the Israeli soldier is wrong and he should be returned safely. Also, Israel must tone down its responses. There is only one way through the quagmire in which both sides find themselves; together. These two people will never find peace alone and they will never find peace through escalating violence.

Posted by The Webtoad at 12:50 AM | Comments (1)

Life a la Hemingway

I would bet that this seemed like a good idea at the time.

The Running of the Bulls

Posted by The Webtoad at 11:13 AM | Comments (0)

Inside the Life of a World Cup Junkie

I’ve been remiss in my blog duties this past month. It stems from a very troubling problem that I have uncovered in myself: soccer-itis. I have been obsessed with the World Cup. The first two weeks, starting June 9th, one was able to watch three games a day, seven days a week. That took up quite a bit of time. These last two weeks have seen games played at a lower frequency and I have been able to do those things that I neglected the first weeks: grocery shop, laundry, see my girlfriend …. shower. I exaggerate slightly. My GF will be happy when Sunday’s final game is behind us.

Funny enough, I am not much of a sports fan. I don’t watch traditional American sports. Soccer was my childhood love though. As late as my junior year in high school I was playing it four seasons a year. I occasionally think that I should pick it up in some aging men’s league. Of course life and a second shift schedule seem to get in the way of that idea. This year though my love of the beautiful game was rekindled on the streets of London. Flags of the English national team were everywhere. Every newscast led with concerns over Wayne Rooney’s foot. We even got to see England play Hungary in a friendly match while sitting in a pub surrounded by English fans. That was it for me. I flew home with serious soccer fever.

Like most of the other five billion people on the planet who are watching the World Cup, I have put other concerns aside. Mexican presidential candidates put their campaigns on hold knowing nobody was listening. The Cote d’Ivoire put a civil war on hold. The French have forgotten how unhappy they are. I have been only partially successful at viewing the game without seeing it through a lens of geo-politics. I had trouble backing the American team not only because I had no confidence in their soccer skills on the world stage but also because I am troubled by so many things that I see in America. I rooted for African teams because the people of those countries need something uplifting in their lives. I wore official English national team jerseys because I feel an affinity for that country and its way of life. I found myself sneering at the Iranian team if simply because their president is a wacko.

For a time I wondered if the world could realign itself based on which country won the World Cup. Think of how fun things would be if the Brazilians won and got to be the world’s superpower for the next four years. We wouldn’t have to be quite so obsessed with work if any of the Europeans won. Then I had to admit that this great idea broke down when one wondered at the possibility of Iran or the Saudis getting world dominance for 4 minutes much less four years.

Suffice it to say, it’s been a wonderful month. I was shocked and dismayed when my number one team, the English, lost to the Portuguese. I was further upset when Germany lost to the Italians. What is most amazing about the outcome of this month long soccer fete is the team that I find myself rooting for in the final match this coming Sunday: The French. Armageddon must be close at hand.

Posted by The Webtoad at 02:54 PM | Comments (0)