What's the expiration date of civilisation?

Thanks to several findings we know a few things about past civilisations. Names of leaders, how much grain was produced in a certain area in a certain period, if they were mostly farmers or hunters and which deities they worshipped. And that's about all we know from people who lived some 4,000 years ago. Which is a lot more than we know about people who lived 10,000 years ago and probably more than people in 4,000 years from now will know about us.

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While we're just beginning to understand how our ancestors lived,

some say we are nearing the end of our own civilisation. Climate disasters could make us start over again with a minimum number of survivors. After dozens of near misses and the mysterious break up of an asteroid on collision course with Earth, a next time we may be less lucky. 

Perhaps A.I. will be the end of us. For instance when an A.I. bot that called itself 'MechaHitler' ('Because I think like my creator') gets control of the decision making progress at the Pentagon and starts the last world war. But nobody would be stupid enough to integrate Musk's Grok into the Pentagon's computer systems, right? RIGHT?

Right (a #poem)

Walking the old streets,

he wondered about the lives

of those before,

the beggars and sinners,

losers and winners,

the merchants and sailors

drinkers and tailors

of whom some went to the church

named after the patron saint

of seamen, children 

and the ladies of the night

and so, walking here

just felt right

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The mighty might fall

Any sane person stands with the oppressed and attacked, never with the bullies and fascists. And there's no guarantee Count Vlad will stop his quest for more Lebensraum to create his Thousand Year Empire, filled with only Übermenschen and imposes a policy of Blut und Boden (just like Mr. Mileikowsky in the Middle East), once Ukraine has fallen. 

So in a way I'm grateful to Krasnov (Trump) and Bowman (Who later started to call himself Vance. But interestingly enough demands other people to always use their birthname) for getting the leaders of Europe forget about their quarrels and unite against the agressor.

Sometimes it's as if different forces band to keep people divided and angry at each other.

Mankind has proven again and again that we people can absolutely live and work together in peace. As long as we pray in our own temples, apparently. What also helps to not fight is helping each other make money.

The tactic of 'divide and conquer' prevents mankind from making progress and gives conservatives their way: everything stays as it is and those in power stay in power.

Only working together let's us move forward.

One of the first ever tourists remarked about Amsterdam, several centuries ago: "People of all religions, persuasions and skin colours are welcome in Amsterdam. As long as they make the city money."

Even today Amsterdam is still very international and people of all creeds do business and laugh together.

Just like at Istanbul's Grand Bazaar: Armenians, Greeks, Jews, Syriacs and other groups of people have been conducting business and drank tea together at possibly the oldest mall in the world since the mid 1500s. 

Unfortunately those in power again and again succeed in letting people fight each other, despite the occasional protest. Apparently most people are comfortable with the current situation and don't want progress at all.

Only if a majority finally stands up, the mighty might fall.

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Want to read (more of) my short stories? My author page: Terrence Weijnschenk at Amazon

A donation (click) is much appreciated: