So...what then?

How to begin writing about this.

The state of the world right now…well it’s pretty fucked. War and politics. Scary men who seem intent on burning everything down. And then there is the clock being run down on the environment.

I was going to write that it’s depressing, but it’s so much more than depressing. It’s devastating. It’s paralysing. It’s enraging.

The daily horror in the news. The constant need to turn away, and then peek back again. Is it voyeuristic? Am I hoping I’ll get some warning before the end of everything? Am I becoming desensitised? Or am I too sensitive?

How do I make sense of it all? The death, starvation, torture and genocide. The corporate and political gaslighting.

Perhaps with a view of history longer than mine it’s still not that bad yet? Wishful thinking.

I feel a responsibility to be doing something about it. But what? Quite obviously me, Joe, the individual, is powerless to stop any of it. But, me, Joe, is also part of the collective humanity that is all powerful. At some place my individual powerlessness coalesces into the all powerful collective humanity. But where?

My four minute shower won’t save us from environmental catastrophe. Not when our government approves new gas projects with such fervent optimism.

My social media activity won’t prevent bombs raining down on Gaza. Not when the great nations sit idle.

My choice of superannuation fund won’t disarm a fascist state. Not when the worlds richest men grow their wealth by exploiting division.

Letter writing, protest, campaigning, disconnection, therapy. These feel like nothing more than coping mechanisms.

So…what then?