This morning, on my way to work cursing the daylights out of
everyone in front of me, I got cornered into taking a turn that put me in
uncharted territory. As I drove along cautiously trying to figure out a route
that would put me back onto the main road I was familiar with, I was struck
with a rather profound epiphany. I observed that most of the drivers around me
do not apply their brakes and wait for the obstruction to clear – instead they
just drive around it at the risk of impeding traffic on the oncoming lane.
Now, why is this such an important realization, you ask? I
feel it talks about us as social beings who do not respect another person’s
right of passage while coming across as competing in a race that hardly
matters. We could argue that the obstructing driver is being a total ass-hat
and we should not let them get away easily, but by not letting them get out of
the way and clearing the path, we are only guilty of contributing to a Mexican
standoff where nobody gives in and all parties are stacked.
Now that I think about it, I remember braking for
pedestrians and public transport to cross the lane and I being met with
murderous stares. It was like I stole their opportunity to accomplish a
supernatural feat. However, in some instances I have had fellow drivers roll
down their windows, give a thumbs-up sign and drive off. Now, how simple and
satisfying is that?
Upon introspection, it seems humankind has relinquished
their humanity and are slowly reverting to a basic and feral state. The
evolution of humankind has shown a steady growth towards a crest, before
plateauing, and heading to a trough where the famed 6th sense is
concerned. With an abundance of information being made available, a majority of
humankind is getting intelligent, but not smart, which has in turn bred
arrogance and disdain because the next generation has been forced to believe
that life is the Great Race and not the Great Dream anymore.
Best,
AaMen
