The Apocalypse: The Final Frontier

You know, in spite of all the political unrest in the world, as a culture we’ve accelerated technologically at an astounding rate in the last 200 years. Just think, at the beginning of the last century most people in our country did not have access to electricity, running water or an automobile. By the close of the century an average household owned at least two vehicles, had the luxury of a television in almost every room in their house, and the internet provided them with a way to communicate with people all over the globe instantly. We also poop indoors now, which I think we all agree is a step in the right direction.

One hundred years ago most people were still traveling via locomotive or horse, now we’re gearing up for privately owned spacecraft (they barely leave the atmosphere, but no matter) which have the capability to take tourists into space for nothing more than a joyride. Space elevators represent a viable means to transmit material out of our atmosphere, and when I read about faster-than-light travel and interstellar spacecrafts most times I do so in scientific articles and not in pulp magazines.

Honestly, I don’t think this bodes well for us. If science-fiction and dystopian literature has taught us anything it’s that once our society reaches a certain technological level either a) we use up the earth’s resources forcing us off-world to survive; b) we inexplicably blow up; c) aliens invade and enslave us; d) our computers achieve sentience and overthrow us. None of that sounds too appealing.

Obviously, I’m overlooking the prospects presented by Gene Rodenberry, but I think we can all agree his vision was just a wee bit too idealistic.

What’s a person to do?

Personally, I’m going to stop reading science-fiction for a while. Maybe. Ok, probably not, but I’m gonna start reading a different kind of sci-fi.

I’ve also already decided that if the machines or aliens do overtake us that I’ll go along and cooperate willingly. I’d probably even reveal the location of the rebels for a steak or a few intergalactic credits. I know I’m not the One, and besides, I’m a true American, which means I truly do believe that ignorance is bliss.

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6 thoughts on “The Apocalypse: The Final Frontier

  1. Amazon Queen and Ruler of All Things Canine

    I agree. Virtual steak is better than real gruel ANY day. I’ll stay in the Matrix.

    Better a ruler in Hell than a nobody in Heavin. Wait, does that make me a bad person?? Oh, I forgot, I don’t believe in Hell. Guess I’ll just have to rule on Earth. MOO HA HA HA!!!!!!

  2. Ruler of all I survey, and Master of My Own Domain

    AND then I can’t apparently spell Heaven, either. Mythical places have SUCH difficult names.

    OH!! Gonna get flamed HARD for that one!!!

    ***wicked grin***

  3. Ooooo, Paradise Lost quote.

    “Farewell, happy fields,
    Where joy for ever dwells! Hail, horrors! hail,
    Infernal world! and thou, profoundest Hell,
    Receive thy new possessor–one who brings
    A mind not to be changed by place or time.
    The mind is its own place, and in itself
    Can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven.
    What matter where, if I be still the same,
    And what I should be, all but less than he
    Whom thunder hath made greater? Here at least
    We shall be free; th’ Almighty hath not built
    Here for his envy, will not drive us hence:
    Here we may reigh secure; and, in my choice,
    To reign is worth ambition, though in Hell:
    Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven.

    P.L.1.249-263.

  4. leigh

    i can’t believe it…both of you are traitors…to the crews of the nebuchadnezzar and serenity…mal and neo would be very disappointed in you both. you may not experience every luxury in life, but at least you would be free…

  5. leigh

    oh, yeah…and luke skywalker…he fought with the rebel forces against the empire…he, too, is ashamed of you…

  6. I was assuming that as a society we wouldn’t make it through the alien invasion or the cataclysmic weather upheaval. If we do, then yeah, I’m onboard the next junker off this rock. Unless of course it meant living on a Endor-like world. It rather die than live with all those damn muppets.

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