After reading Beckett’s play Endgame I find myself feeling the same scary thoughts about the future of humanity. In a new age of terrorism we are no longer as safe as we were in previous decades. I used to believe wars and terrorist attacks happened in other countries, and now I am too afraid to go to a stadium or travel on a plane.
The local news and the international news constantly broadcast attacks over U.S. policies, but what is the price we must pay for safety? I often remember John F. Kennedy’s book Profiles in Courage and wonder if America will one day look back and at least accept the idea that a very unpopular political move helped prevent more serious occurances in future decades. I certainly hope this is the case because a life similiar to that of Nell and Nag slowly decaying presents a very pessimistic view of the future if that were the case.
March 25, 2007 at 11:51 pm
I don’t have much faith in the ‘unpopular political move’ if it is what I think it is, but I would sure like to think you are right. Regardless of the outcome, I think we will probably need to change our mentality and learn from counties that have been dealing with terrorism for decades. One day the human race might learn, but we still have wars in the 21st century. One thing that gives me hope, strangely enough, is instant mass communication. It’s much harder for countries to attack each other when they know the whole world is watching every move they make… pretty much simultaneously.
Thanks for reminding me of Profiles in Courage. I have not read that in years, and would really like to read it again.