It is undeniable that we are living in times of profound changes at social, intellectual, and spiritual levels. Scientific and technological progress has accelerated so spectacularly that it is almost impossible to stay informed and updated on the latest developments in the field. The most notable and astonishing discoveries have ceased to amaze us and have become part of our everyday reality.
This acceleration phenomenon compels us to make a fundamental shift in our thinking and to re-evaluate our principles. Time is rushing by, and we cannot indulge in sterile daydreams. We must awaken, even if we resist doing so, to the unsettling realities of our century. We must face forward, placing parapets on our imagination, regarding the course that this scientific advance holds for us.
While this amazing and unsettling technological race continues its dizzying pace, some are beginning to worry about a grim future, a consequence of the misuse of this vast knowledge. Faced with this dark panorama, most people fall asleep to the stereotypical music of routine and the small, significant daily concerns. However, others, disappointed by existential emptiness, embark on the conquest of the uncharted inner universe.
We can refuse to think, turn our faces away, and ignore reality. But that would be contenting us with a vegetative and infertile existence. We must live consciously, even if living this way requires immense effort. We must continuously search, even though the search may at times weary the soul. The panorama for humanity looks dark. However instead of lamenting, let us strive to be, at the very least, a humble candle that makes the darkness of the night less gloomy.
A tumultuous world: A convulsed society and, consequently, disrupted individuals. Epidemiological wars, neurological poisons, neutron bombs, absolute weapons… The planet is on the downward slope of a Dantesque ellipse. And at the end of the journey, what? Disillusionment with science has been fermenting for a long time. It is no longer, as it once was, the solution to the evils of humanity. On the contrary: ‘So far, science has only served to create slaves. In times of war, it mutilates and poisons us. During peace, it makes our existences uncertain and burdensome.
Instead of liberating them as much as possible – allowing those to dedicate themselves to intellectual pursuits – the sciences have made men slaves to machines. Most workers end their long and monotonous daily tasks disheartened. Works of curse!’ And it wasn’t a dreamy, idealistic poet, or a mystic fervent enemy of progress who wrote these words. It was one of the greatest scientists and thinkers of our era: Albert Einstein.
However, we must try to have an optimistic view of the future and not sink into the disturbing chaos of an apocalyptic scenario. I think that rejecting science is not a valid solution, but it is necessary to humanize it, saturate it with love so that it does not turn against humanity. We must not become anti-progressive, but let us avoid forgetting our essence in the pursuit of progress.
Our illusions of seeing an Edenic future based on progress have shattered, but if a building collapses, let’s not stare at the rubble: let’s hastily build another.
Writer and journalist. Musician and artist. Ninjutsu Sensei. Director of Canon Magazine, Canon Conservatorio, and Bonsai Center Argentina.
