As I was reflecting on how far Humanity has come and how much further we have yet to go, I pondered how corrupt empires and authoritarian regimes have risen up throughout history, time and time again. Every time, one way or another, they do seem to be self-defeating and lead their followers – who they control through fear and pain – to turn against them sooner or later. Humanity trends toward greater liberty as we learn and grow. Defenders of light are eventually forced from their homes, brought out into the fray while they just wish to be left alone. This haiku series reflects on that cycle of darkness rising and light to meet it with a few images of conflicts which have shaped Human History in significant ways over the past few centuries.
Born into bounty
A land full of life and lush
Never left wanting
Darkness defeated
Retreating into shadow
Light abound once more
A sea of plenty
Generations of good times
The strong grow weaker
The shadow returns
In the absence of challenge
Giants fall corrupt
Guardians fall asleep
Evil finds its place once more
A new threat will rise
The sheep lose their hope
Where is the sheepdog to fight?
Who will protect them?
The cycle repeats
Darkness rises once again
And Light to meet it
The Great War, often referred to as WWI was thought to be the war to end all wars. Perhaps, one day humans will develop cyberwarfare capabilities so advanced that bloodshed will become obsolete as a means of upsetting corrupt power structures. I have doubts that war itself will ever become obsolete because war can take many forms. An information war – such as an election – can be used to unseat a corrupt official. A world without war would be a world where the status quo is maintained indefinitely, and that is not a world I would imagine anyone would want to live in. Still, we know not what the future will hold, and it will be interesting to see where Humanity goes regardless of the path it takes to get there.
What do you think of Humanity’s long and storied history with conflict? How do you think cyberwarfare will shape the coming conflicts? Also, what do you think conflict will look like far into the future?
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The Pensive Warrior 