So, here
we are again, at the end of another 940 million kilometer orbit around the
sun. This is a monumental day, as
tomorrow marks the first day that people born in the 2000s can be considered
adults. The question is, will they be
any better at it than the rest of us?
I am not going to spend the little time I have between now
and the chiming of the New Year dwelling on politics or the general condition
of human society as a whole. Those of
you that know me are more than aware of my thoughts on either matter, so we will
not waste our time. I am also not going
to spend time spewing inspirational quotes of the “new year, new you”
nature. You all also know where I stand
on resolutions and their inevitable end.
Why do we believe in thresholds? Why does everything have to have a special
starting point? If you want to start
getting in shape, why wait until New Year’s, or even just Monday? Just start!
You want to learn how to play an instrument? #*@% the new year—make a call and start
lessons! You want to help make the world
a better place? Don’t worry about which
charity to donate to or what socio-political crisis to angst over—try teaching
your kids to not be assholes!
Modern humans have been on the planet about 200,000 years—of
that, civilization as we know it has only been around about 6000 years. In that time, we’ve waged wars, burned
libraries, exterminated entire groups of humans, hunted untold species to either
near or total extinction, deforested entire landmasses, and generally just made
a total mess of everything. What can you
possibly do to erase any of that? What.
Can. You. Do?
Do you want my advice?
Well, you’re going to get it anyway.
I know that many of you are not responsible for any of what has happened
over the last six millennia. Some of you
may want to, secretly, egg it on just for the entertainment value. It’s not my place to judge which of you are which—just
listen up. Take a good, long look in the
mirror and ask yourself some questions.
Ask yourself if you believe you are a responsible human. Do you do your best to make sure that your
presence at least doesn’t make anyone else’s time on Earth miserable? Do you keep your beliefs out of other people’s
business? Have you taught your children
to think for themselves and to be empathetic towards others?
Yes?
Well, then. . . 2018
shouldn’t be too bad, then.
To all of my family and friends, I wish the best for this New
Year to come. Health and peace to all of
your families and neighbors—may you all have good adventures, full cups, and
leave happiness in your footsteps.
TLDR:
