It´s different this time

 

There was a time, not *that* long ago, when I assumed that we (as in Modern Civilization, or something to that effect) actually were better than everyone else (especially our dear departed ancestors before circa 1800 or so). You know, the guys who were intensely superstitious, believed in something called "religion", had a penchant for witch-hunts and heresy-hunts, fought meaningless wars which really could have been avoided, and (most bizarrely of all) somehow believed that *they* were the pinnacle of human history and fulcrum of the universe. And yes, periodically their societies broke down into completely irrational madness, "the madness of crowds" mocked and scoffed by our intellectuals and literati, since today we (of course) know better, in these more scientific-minded and *rational* times. 

I just stopped believing in the above. 

Yes, the main reason is the COVID pandemic, or rather the irrational panic surrounding the pandemic. And no, I´m not talking about all the conspiracy theories about scamdemics, plandemics, or what have you. I´m talking about, ahem, the reactions of our oh-so-rational political establishment, and - above all - of the people who believe in their propaganda. I mean, what could *possibly* go wrong if we lock down the entire world economy, deprive workers and even sections of the middle class of their livelihoods, and then force everyone to take vaccines which might not even work against the latest strains of the disease? And what could possibly go wrong if the common people start acting like witch-finders general, heresy-hunters, snitches, or panicked mobs? And yet, here we are. Madness of crowds, anyone? We probably still think we are the fulcrum of the universe, as well...

It seems every period has its own truly bizarre superstitions. Centuries ago, people believed in werewolves. Some humans were also wolves. Today, people believe that some men are really women. Old superstitions are just as strong as ever. For instance, that fusion power can save us, or that a manned mission to Mars is actually possible. Somehow, that will save us, too. Many people (on both sides of the so-called political divide) assume that overpopulation isn´t a problem and hence that resources are essentially endless. But oh, you assumed I was talking about something else, didn´t you? Belief in demons, say, or deep dark conspiracies, or wrathful gods. Or, I suppose, homeopathy. Well, yes, there are a lot of those people around, too. For instance, the privileged, well-educated and *rational* pundits who told us with a straight face that, of course, Trump was a Russian agent. How is that different from calling him a witch, a heretic, or the Antichrist? There were even people who claimed to be "magicians" who tried to curse Trump! What century are we in, again?

The entire world is in the grip of an perhaps irreversible irrationality. But don´t worry. I´m sure they will think of something. And if they don´t, heck, we can always blame the pessimists...

Or the witches.