Boredom: Stronger than the Sword
Living by myself again, most of my social habits limited to a specific billiards hall, I tend to have a good amount of time on my hands after work. Having just finished reading Salem’s Lot for the x-teenth time, I find myself laying on the futon, staring up at the constant twirl of the ceiling fan, allowing my mind to wander freely. And oh, the dangerous places it took me.
Following no specific pattern or recognizable device, I end up pondering a question that has rarely, if ever, plagued me. What is humankind’s purpose, if any? Are we merely the latest virus of nature, meant to eventually allow this planet a clean start? Perhaps (and I admit nothing) a diving entity could have plans for us. Or maybe there’s no rhyme or reason at all, and we really are masters of our own free will. Shall we explore these possibilities? I’ll warn you in advance…I’ve been known to write theories alot of people find very offensive, mainly because some of my viewpoints can shake a person’s faith. So if you don’t want to hear about alternative possibilities to your personal beliefs, do not read on.
That said….let’s start with the first option. What if we are merely a piece of the end cycle of evolution? With the damage we are most certainly capable of causing, we could very well be the reset element of our planet’s (or galaxy’s) natural circle of events. Science has already shown that planets driven to a barren wasteland will restart as is from the very beginning cycles of it’s life. It’s very well possible that we are that final element to turn out planet into said wasteland, to allow a fresh start. Who knows, evolution might do a better job next time. Hell, just think of how bad the previous cycles before us could’ve been.
Ok…option two. Divinity. Old-timers know I’m pretty well educated on this topic, despite being a “non-believer” myself. However, I’ll only touch briefly on this, as it’s also a very sensitive spot, even for people secure in their faith. So…let’s suppose a divine power has a use for us, or maybe is just some cosmic kid playing with his plastic army men. The hopeful would aspire to believe that their divine power is perfect, despite the obvious design flaws in its creations. Yes, yes, I’ve heard many arguements on why we’re flawed. No, I don’t want to hear yours. I promise you it won’t be original. Pretty much a tossup here….are we destined, or are we playthings?
Option three….free will. That thought is just as frightening, if not more so, than the others. I honestly believe it’s almost better for humans to be leashed to an ending rather than deciding our own. Take your deepest, darkest desire. Almost every human has a similar sin. Will we ever be able to eradicate the evil that defines us as imperfections? Or will we forever be driven by the imperfections that tempt us now?
It’d be nice to say I’m sorry for causing any offense…but in truth, I’m not. Knowledge is power, boredom is the fuse, and questioning is the trigger. Use this to your own advantage, but fully expect to be burned by what you aquire.
October 4th, 2001
