While here in the Kern River Valley we are enjoying mild weather and abundant sunshine it’s difficult to appreciate the severe weather impacting so many elsewhere. Things change in a moment when catastrophes like Katrina or a tsunami strike, a cyclone hits Myanmar and fires, floods, and tornadoes wipe out thousands of homes here in America. Of course, the disasters due to the forces of nature are things over which we have no control, but it seems we have no control over the disastrous decisions of world leaders including our own that are harming and depleting our planet at an alarmingly accelerating rate. One might reasonably suppose something could at least be done about this, but it seems reason is not the overriding factor. Rather, greed and corruption seem to be guiding human destiny.

In “My Fair Lady” Colonel Pickering asks Professor Higgins concerning his phonetic vocation “Is there a living in that?” In my opinion, this seems a neat summation of human affairs. Whether by fair means or foul whatever one’s beliefs all must make a living. That this has in many instances been the cause of so much human suffering seems to be the lot of humankind since it has not been our destiny to be ruled by those with the best interests of our species in mind, but rather by those that for the most part are dedicated to their own lust for power and wealth. Utopian dreams have always degenerated into the common dust of human nature that seems to place the most unscrupulous and ruthless in positions of authority. And there must be a reason for this.

So, I wonder about the course of science that depends on greed and corruption to support it. There is virtually nothing in science that is not eventually made to serve the ends of greed and corruption, and altruism continues to be a victim to the noblest achievements of science corrupted to the evil ends of those seeking power and profits. Even now as we await someone pulling the trigger on the Large Hadron Collider for example the worst fears of those attempting to prevent this may be realized, and were it not for the enormous investment in the LHC I would be more inclined to believe its purpose was purely scientific dedicated to learning and the advancement of our species. But given human nature and the history of our species that kind of investment in the LHC belies any such hope.

It does seem the greatest scientific achievements are not sufficient to blunt the forces of greed and corruption that invariably trump the Utopian wish such things like splitting the atom would serve only the best ends of humankind. Invariably the worst among us seems to rise to positions of power and influence, making the decisions that place the best achievements of science in the hands of scoundrels for the sake of power and profits. As a matter of philosophical speculation, I would say if evolution were the determining factor only the most barbaric and ruthless is destined to survive.

But at any given moment our species may be cut short by any one of a number of possible cataclysmic events. As it is, the teeming billions on earth will not long be able to feed themselves and circumstances of both changing weather patterns together with the greed and corruption of those in power may result in wars of growing magnitude not discounting the possibility of nuclear weapons being used. Given present world conditions, it is difficult to see any reasonable solution to the circumstances already making determinations beyond civilized solutions.

When you are warm and fed, when all material needs are met it is easy to wax philosophical about world events, to discuss things like Evolution vs. Intelligent Design, Election vs. Free Will, whether there is a God or not. But when cataclysmic events overtake, the only thing certain is that you will die.

In the brief time I have left to speculate about things I won’t waste it on unproductive argument. It isn’t my place to persuade anyone of my point of view. The thousands of books that have been written have not changed minds unwilling to change, and there is no point in taking up endless debate on issues where the parties have already made up their minds. If there is a God, who can withstand him; and if not death is the end. In the meantime, which is my time I’ll continue my speculations about the many things that interest me.

For instance, who really believes our next president will be able to solve the problems America is facing. And who believes such solutions can be reached that does not require the cooperation of other nations when we are faced with the realities of global conditions directly impacting America. But even now the suffering of unnumbered millions worldwide is subject to the greed and corruption of their leaders, and we become calloused to the pictures on TV screens of such misery knowing our efforts to help must pass through the hands of those given over to greed and corruption. The reality irrespective of either scientific achievement or philosophical speculation is the fact our planet is in the hands of ruthless scoundrels having only the veneer of being civilized.

In the face of coming calamity from which science cannot deliver us because of the decisions impacting us and our planet being in the hands scoundrels rather than those dedicated to human welfare, like many others I find what comfort and hope I can in my beliefs. And so long as these do no harm to others I’m content to end my days believing the things I do, to continue to study and learn things even if they contradict the things I presently believe. If atheists and agnostics find a like comfort in their beliefs that is all well and good so far as I am concerned.

There remain the myths and legends from the greatest antiquity, the mysteries abounding right here on our own planet for which there are no answers. Science still cannot explain or define life or its origin, and for many of us it is a full time occupation being absorbed by these many mysteries, some of which remain in the realm of the supernatural despite all the science directed to finding answers for such things. And if I choose to believe many of the things contained in the Bible are true, that is my concern not that of others. However, for those that have faith in science or world leaders to save us or our planet I think this is faith misplaced; but it is not my place to convince anyone of my point of view, I do not attempt to force my beliefs on anyone and in my opinion we are all free to believe as we will.