Independence
As America celebrates theirs, many other countries fight for theirs and some have no hope of achieving it. It's been three weeks since #IranElection made top trending topic on Twitter and it is still going strong. The grassroots movement has become an inspiration to me and to the world and the outcome will have a lasting impact. It seems the Iranian theocracy has failed to protect the rights and freedoms of its people and by allowing innocent blood to be spilt, it has lost its legitimacy.
As much as I'd like to remain in blissful ignorance and denial, I can't help but draw connections. Global security to oil prices, fundamentalism to democracy, the conflict over there is tied to a lot. As 29 innocents stand to be executed, the conflict is a reminder to us why we keep religion and the state separate.
Though, I believe the Green movement will win. It's only a matter of time. The younger generation wants change and as long as they resist being indoctrinated with the old ways, the older generation will fade away clinging to tradition. Even now, the current regime has lost a lot of support internally and on the world stage, which they cannot afford in this age of "post-globalization".
North Korea continues to fire missiles with no concern to others. Iran recently launched a satellite and continues to enrich uranium. Add those two technologies together and you eventually have the capability to nuke any location in the world.
Don't even get me started on "climate change". We've heard it all before. I just hope we don't resort to that drastic measure of pumping sulfur/water vapour into the atmosphere to cool Earth down in the event of severe global warming.
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I recently saw Watchmen again and despite being a comic book movie, it really does beg the question: is humanity really doomed to destroy itself?
I used to be quite the humanist, believing we have the capacity to basically take care of ourselves. But now, as I see more and more of the world, is Watchmen is right? We absolutely need to live in fear of God's wrath? Are we inherently flawed and destined to destroy ourselves? Do we need a "common enemy"? Too often we focus on our differences only to forget we are all human.
"Five minutes to midnight," they say. With a push of the wrong button or the turning of two keys, the world's institutions, governments, and infrastructure could all collapse as everything turns to dust. That degree hanging on my wall and the money in my wallet will all mean nothing in a land turned cold and lawless as everyone fends for themselves. What a bleak future.
I can draw many parallels of what I saw in the film to the world today. Giant squid monster aside (if you've read the graphic novel), perhaps it is true that a great calamity - depending on your beliefs, either by God or by our hands - is what will unite us and save us from a greater tragedy. The lives of millions to save billions. Or maybe, to be an optimist, that will never be necessary and we never were on the path to self-destruction.
I'll close with this thought though. As much as the media loves to instil fear by bombarding us with the above stories, I still keep hope alive that we will do better. The future looks gloomy but the future can change and I hope our world leaders never stop trying. I cherish every moment I have now and shared with others. For that, every day isn't so "emo" and pointless.
