The Theory of Negativity
Of course, we can’t reverse time—although I wouldn’t be at all surprised if somewhere there is a publicly funded boffin trying to discover whether it’s possible. What we can do, however, is slow the relentless march of so-called scientific progress.
As unfashionable as it may sound, wouldn’t it be better if, for example, our transport system returned to steam? Reopen the closed branch lines and let the railway enthusiasts run them—they’d probably do it for nothing.
As for music, I’ve gone back to using a valve amplifier and, do you know what? It sounds wonderful. To match its sound quality with modern equipment would cost a small fortune.
To compound the madness, I’ve even bought a bicycle.
I haven’t sold the car yet—I haven’t gone that mad—but you see my point. It is possible to readjust to a simpler way of life.
So why are scientists placing such importance on this endless quest for knowledge?
Must we know how the Universe works at any cost?
What’s wrong with admitting that there are some things we simply don’t know—and perhaps never need to?
After all, didn’t curiosity kill the cat?
Why must humanity advance at such a relentless pace?
Personally, I suspect our long-term survival on this planet depends not upon ever more technology, but upon consuming less. In fact, I sometimes wonder whether humanity could survive more successfully if there were fewer of us, living simpler lives and placing less strain upon the Earth’s resources.
Follow the current path and I fear wealth and greed will eventually consume us.
As Frank Zappa once observed:
“The meek shall inherit nothing.”
There’s an uncomfortable truth in that. When we’ve exhausted the planet’s resources, what exactly will remain for the meek to inherit?
Probably not much.
At the time I first wrote this, I blamed Gordon Brown and Tony Blair for encouraging the fantasy that economies could grow forever without consequences. The slogan “Things Can Only Get Better” now feels rather ironic.
Even more ironic is the fact that one of the principal advocates of the Large Hadron Collider, Professor Brian Cox, had once been the keyboard player in D:Ream—the very band whose song became New Labour’s election anthem.
Personally, I rather wish Brian had spent more time searching for the elusive groove than the elusive particle.
If you ask me, some things are better left as theories.
We are not going to live forever.
The human race will one day come to an end.
What we can do is delay that day by taking better care of the only world we have.
This Earth is our Garden of Eden.
It is entirely possible to leave a better world for our children, but not while we remain burdened by political greed, commercial self-interest and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge pursued simply because it is possible.
Sometimes the greatest wisdom lies not in discovering something new…
…but in knowing when enough is enough.
Just because we can, does it mean we should?