Traditionally, we see ourselves as standing in the present and looking back on the past, while the future is a whisper away. The temptation to look back on the past with judgement for mistakes made due to limited understanding is huge yet how can people ever be held responsible for operating out of what they knew at the time? It has been said that everyone does the best they know how to do, regardless of how their actions may look to those who think they know better. It begs the question - what will future generations think of us?
We like to think of ourselves as being at the pinnacle of civilization and technology. While we could debate whether our advancements have not cost us too much in human terms, it is hard on our egos not to think that we are the best that can be. Perhaps in light of what archeologists are digging up (sorry couldn't resist the pun) about ancient civilization, we might do better to at least attempt the guise of humility about where we are at. The Dogon tribe in Mali has known for countless ages what astrophysicists have only recently been able to determine abou the Sirius star system. Ancient Egypt is not at all like we were taught in school. On closer examination (and with more understanding and an open mind) it looks like they may indeed have had electricity and healing methods that exceed ours at present. They also had an understanding of geography, geometry and astronomy that is not "primitive".
Some might accuse the presenters of the traditional view of Egyptology as having "lied" to us. I believe that accusations are mostly beyond the point. We have a better understanding of what is possible than they did. It is hardly fair to think they could have extricated themselves easily from their culture and traditional viewpoint and been able to see things differently.
Even now the wheels of academia (which have corners and are not easily moved) are stuck solidly in tradition. The "bastions of knowledge" are largely out of date and loathe to update their "wisdom" in light of new discoveries. So it is difficult for official channels to be the bringers of change. The Internet is the vehicle for those who see change as desirable and necessary to restore our balance.
Looking back on our predecessors and knowing the shortfall of their knowledge and judgments, how can we expect to fare better, unless only incrementally so? Future generations will see what we try to ignore - our tremendous and wanton consumption of natural resources, our lack of concern for the destruction and mistreatment of wildlife and domestic animals alike, our unwillingness to take a stand for better and more sustainable sources of energy, and our lack of compassion and tolerance for differences. Mostly I believe they will see as having lost our sense of direction and lost contact with the natural world and each other on a very basic level. In truth, they will likely see us as being in the Kali Yuga, the age of great darkness, where our treasure is in the outward trappings of success, when it should lie within.
Somehow, I don't have the impression that we will fare well when the future generations of humanity have a good perspective on us. At least unless we get up and turn off the media, look within and then get out there and do what is needed. Anyone care to join me?
We like to think of ourselves as being at the pinnacle of civilization and technology. While we could debate whether our advancements have not cost us too much in human terms, it is hard on our egos not to think that we are the best that can be. Perhaps in light of what archeologists are digging up (sorry couldn't resist the pun) about ancient civilization, we might do better to at least attempt the guise of humility about where we are at. The Dogon tribe in Mali has known for countless ages what astrophysicists have only recently been able to determine abou the Sirius star system. Ancient Egypt is not at all like we were taught in school. On closer examination (and with more understanding and an open mind) it looks like they may indeed have had electricity and healing methods that exceed ours at present. They also had an understanding of geography, geometry and astronomy that is not "primitive".
Some might accuse the presenters of the traditional view of Egyptology as having "lied" to us. I believe that accusations are mostly beyond the point. We have a better understanding of what is possible than they did. It is hardly fair to think they could have extricated themselves easily from their culture and traditional viewpoint and been able to see things differently.
Even now the wheels of academia (which have corners and are not easily moved) are stuck solidly in tradition. The "bastions of knowledge" are largely out of date and loathe to update their "wisdom" in light of new discoveries. So it is difficult for official channels to be the bringers of change. The Internet is the vehicle for those who see change as desirable and necessary to restore our balance.
Looking back on our predecessors and knowing the shortfall of their knowledge and judgments, how can we expect to fare better, unless only incrementally so? Future generations will see what we try to ignore - our tremendous and wanton consumption of natural resources, our lack of concern for the destruction and mistreatment of wildlife and domestic animals alike, our unwillingness to take a stand for better and more sustainable sources of energy, and our lack of compassion and tolerance for differences. Mostly I believe they will see as having lost our sense of direction and lost contact with the natural world and each other on a very basic level. In truth, they will likely see us as being in the Kali Yuga, the age of great darkness, where our treasure is in the outward trappings of success, when it should lie within.
Somehow, I don't have the impression that we will fare well when the future generations of humanity have a good perspective on us. At least unless we get up and turn off the media, look within and then get out there and do what is needed. Anyone care to join me?
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