@lk; his world

Mankind; Boon or Bane for the Earth?

2008-12-26T22:26:00.004+08:00

"The Day the Earth Stood Still" is one of the many commerical films on the market that focus on the issue of the destruction of the Earth; be it from fictional elements (think aliens, monsters and the like), or more realistically, the actions of mankind as a whole. Yours truly feels that this movie, despite being an entertainment film, delivers the message that Al Gore's "The Inconvenient Truth" (shall not abbreviate; go figure) seeks to promulgate in a more effective manner.

Little elaboration is made as to what humans have done to warrant their extermination in TDTESS, but the general consensus is clear. Humans have been exploiting the Earth for all its resources, till the extent that an extraterrestrial force (aliens) in charge of the entire galaxy of planets decides to put an end to the situation and restore the Earth to its former glory, The solution? Think the Earth as a personal computer, push the reset button and reinstall the operating system. In short, the human race would be destroyed, and natural elements of the Earth would be recreated again; flora, fauna, natural landscapes and the like. The rest of the film then revolves around the protagonists trying to convince the "alien" (Keanu Reeeves) that humans would change for the better and put an end to their destructive ways. In the spirit of pleasing all moviegoers, the movie naturally ends with the typical "all-goes-well-sunny-days-are-here-again" scene; alien changes mind, mankind is saved.

This brings me onto the segment of the film where a magical powder is released into the atmosphere of the Earth, dissloving everything that comes into reach. Think of this as global warming plus all the other detrimental environmental effects that Man's actions have resulted in, put into fast forward. To quote what John Cleese's character (or was it another character? I can't recall), mentioned in the film, non verbatim, "only on the brink of destruction does Man change for the better". Does it have to come to this point, when Armagaddeon is near, when one has lost nearly everything and is on the brink of losing his life, that one chooses to forgo present lifestyles for a environmentally friendly one? Having read books/played games concerning a post-apocalyptic Earth, I shudder at the thought of what I have just typed.

This will go down as one of the many millions of messages that question the future of mankind and the Earth, taking into consideration the rate in which environmental degradation is taking place. To sum up, consider the cliched but effective analogy of the "boiled frog" (can't think of any other name for it, apologies). When placed in a pot of lukewarm water that is gradually heated up to boiling point, a frog makes no effort to escape the death trap its been placed in. However, douse it in boiling water immediately, and it leaps away from harm's way. Maybe Man needs a taster spray of boiling water before countries and governments alike scurry to implement severe environmental protection measures. As I type this last sentence, vestiges of the headlines from a certain newspaper report published a few weeks back materialises in my mind; something about an international body of countries agreeing to cut their CO2 emissions by what, 20% by 2020? Twelve years. By then, maybe parts of the world would have become underwater tourist spots already.

Have a happy boxing day (what's left of it).

Timecheck

2008-12-26T22:20:00.004+08:00

Looking at the measly three posts from the not-too-distant past, time has indeed flown.
Much has changed, some for the better, most for the worse. To prove the former point, @lk's still the morbid pessimist as was a few years ago. Oh dear.

2007-07-04T20:22:00.000+08:00

It seems another race beckons. After a lengthy uncertain period, comes another hurdle to overcome. Not that the previous one hasn't left any scars behind, the flame STILL burns on.

*shrugs in resignation*

Still, that has to take a backseat for now.

*places flame into some cardboard box in the backseat*

Is it hot in here? Ah, I realise now, its the heat from the surroundings. As they so aptly say, "the heat is on, so is the competition". Do remember to thank society for the way we teenagers have to grow up these days. After all, what's a little heat to soup things up abit (as I type, I drip with sarcasm. Still, better not to go on too much, lest a mob of acad zombies turn up at my doorstep lusting for blood.)

Whatever, one can't do much but to move on and go with the flow eh? That's the reason why things such as blogs exist: FOR RANTING.

*cardboard box starts smoking*

Oh no. I think I'll choose to ignore that *chokes on the smoke*.

Blahblahblah, blahblahblah.

*cardboard box starts to burn*

Seems ignorance isn't going to help after all. No wonder I'm sweltering as I type.

2007-06-20T10:29:00.001+08:00

Going with the past shall be those posts on the past too.

Let them be no more.

2007-06-18T18:54:00.003+08:00

The End by @lk
The journey's been long,
Wearing out on the lone figure crossing the barren plains.
As the Sun bades farewell over the horizon,
He settles down on a rock.
A broken person as he is,
Tears rolls down his cheeks;
Contained within the hopes,
He had held onto for a long time.
Sadly, his beacon of hope has vanished.
As her shadow fades into the night,
Only Time can heal the wounds of the Heart.

"Time oh Time,
Let this all come to naught with great haste;
As you wash away the vestiges of the Past.
Till then, the pieces of myself shall find their way back together,
And move on into the warmth of the Future."