Day 12: Prison Break

So I was having a dream that combined a few regular childhood memories and characters derived from a well written TV show I've gotten into lately. Some of the characters feel familiar on TV and translated well to my surroundings despite the cultural differences. Though, I'm not the typical southerner and the TV characters aren't typical either.

Anyways, boring details aside, there was a small party. The dream culminated with my dad and the young guy, a little younger than me, discussing philosophy via a video game example though I didn't hear what it was. It reminded me of a similar conversation that I've never had with my dad but thought I did. The thing that got me was the importance and resilience of philosophy. It doesn't matter the example or how old or new the discussion is, philosophy doesn't change because it's based on human reasoning which hasn't changed much for hundreds of years. Social changes has added a few challenges and science has carved its roots out of philosophy leaving nothing but pure reasoning about the unknowable. The same discussion we have today we could have had last year, or 10 years ago,  or 100 years ago and it's likely the results would be the same and the relevance would be the same. You can't really say the same about any other science or humanity because they're both constantly evolving. But philosophy can't be changed it can only be added to and prompt meaningful conversation and growth.

We live in an age of despair. We have the technology and tools to see the world at large but not the tiny details. We can see the country for what it is but unable to change it. Ever notice how most TV shows and movies set in urban or suburban settings feel like they could occur in your home town? Everywhere is becoming a carbon copy of everywhere else and it's a cold, dirty, depressing world full of Wal-Marts and gas stations. At least before we had the technology we could reside in our ruts believing that the world away from us is unique and someday we'll go explore it. Chances are that was true. Now we can see the world for what it is, we can see a public decision every step of the way from announcement to execution and all of the deceit along the way. You'd think the all seeing eye being turned towards big brother would instill fear, shame and humility...but it didn't.

I'm a big fan of post-apocalyptic fiction. I finally understand why. If the deck were reshuffled and dealt, everything we know crumbled and gone, a true clean slate. Maybe, for a brief period anyway, the world would have unique places to explore and appreciate before the sterilization process sets in. It would be a cruel, cold world as all our luxuries and resources have been stripped away. Though, even our quaint, suburban lifestyles are suspiciously similar to that of comfortable prisons. The barrier is mostly mental but a mental barrier is always more effective than a physical one. A post-apocalyptic world would give some of us the chance to live in this new, free world and I find the thought invigorating even if I won't be one of the few to experience or even if I am I wouldn't be up to the demands to thrive on this planet without being force fed. It's a thought anyway.