The “right” combinations of managing both production and consumption could solve many—perhaps most—of the nagging problems facing humankind and every other species on the planet. In both cases, the underlying challenge is the management of human behaviors. I am convinced other animals’ behaviors are generally self-leveling in Nature; if animals eat too much off the land’s riches, subsequent animal visitors either starve or move on. The gluttons either shrink or die. The land recovers. Humans have found ways to overcome the restrictions and corrections imposed by Nature, bypassing the natural leveling that would otherwise take place. Except for the fact that human behavior is so capricious and greed is so prevalent, parity is possible. The rich want more, or at least to stay rich. The poor want enough to escape the horrors of poverty and live in reasonable comfort. Most of the rest skip back and forth between greed and generosity, with a few from all three camps actively seeking equality in all areas. We’re all destined to fail, eventually, because the iron fists necessary to enforce universal equality would resemble an all-powerful benevolent dictatorship that is a slap in the face to collective, self-governing equality. The first time I used marijuana, with a friend when I was still in college, we spent several hours one evening smoking several bongs-worth. Our conversations led to the perfect solution to all the world’s problems; every single one of them using precisely the same approach. Unfortunately, we did not document it and neither of us could recall it later; not even in broad terms. If only my memory had been better, Planet Earth would be a more pleasant, happier, cleaner, more productive, nicer, friendlier, healthier, gentler, and generally better place.
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The radiology plan was not scrubbed, only modified just a tad. My first day of whole-brain radiotherapy with hippocampal avoidance was to be yesterday, but was put off until Monday. The radiology folks had good and valid reasons for the delayed start and I understand entirely. So, I will enjoy a brief reprieve from daily trips into town for a short few days; then, ten treatments over a 10-weekday period. After I begin the radiology treatments, I can expect to lose my hair again (have I already mentioned this?), either entirely or considerably thinner. I am sure I can cope; I did it before.
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Last night, as I was attempting to drift off to sleep, the scope and composition of the universe was on my mind. Again. Lately, I have been preoccupied with thought about just how enormous (or, perhaps, endless) the universe is…and whether there is just one universe, a few, or countless others. If the impossible were possible and we were to travel away from Earth at a speed of 100 billion light years per second, for the equivalent of 100 Earth years…where would we be? In this universe? Another one? Outside? I’ve heard or read or otherwise encountered the idea that there may be “nothing” beyond the limits of the universe. My tiny brain’s logic cannot fathom “nothing.” Unless, of course, “nothing” as we have come to define it is not a reflection of a reality we can comprehend. Perhaps “nothing” comprises something we have never imagined; not having any material, physical composition; just an incomprehensible stretch without—some other expression that might explain the absence of anything we know.
And the whole issue of “creation.” What? Before “creation,” how do we define what existed? If nothing existed, is it even possible for us to understand such a concept? Perhaps even “beginning” and “ending” are absurd, irrational ideas that we impose on the scope of something we cannot and will never understand—both time and space simply could be imaginary boundaries we place around us to help minimize our immeasurable confusion and ignorance. These things were so much on my mind that I did something I rarely do: I got up, grabbed my cell phone, and send myself a message to remind me to think more about these things today. I’m still thinking.
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