I think I made a mistake
baselines, fault lines , paradigm shifts
ignorance has been weaponized
what will we do, what will we do
when all the nouns are verbed?
I think I made a mistake
how is there still doubt in that sentence?
A man goes to a party
to get infected with a virus
in order to prove
that the virus is a hoax,
the man dies.
It’s hard not to be harsh.
Is this a new baseline,
a new low?
Is it an intelligence deficit?
Is it lack of education?
No, this is something different
this is a sea change
the beast has left Bethlehem
the malware has been activated
the human race has started to self-limit.
Whatever god, assembly of gods
or conglomerate of alien scientists
malevolent or benevolent
that designed this whole shebang
that opened this can of worms
has had enough
the malware has been activated
the fix is in
it’s past midnight and the eagle has flown
Aunt Mary is hanging out the washing
the human race has started to self-limit.
A man goes to a party
to get infected with a virus
in order to prove
that the virus is a hoax,
the man dies.
Brendan over at earthweal poses the challenge: Observe shifting baselines in your world, in climate change, your nation’s governance, the pandemic.
Stopdraggingthepanda 
Yes on all you say here, JIM. The sea is boiling mad.
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The absurdity is overwhelming. We are drowning in it. (K)
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Too true.
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This is insightful. I have wondering about the stupidity of many people too. It seems the dominant state of consciousness right now. Your idea that humanity has started to self limit awareness is entirely plausible.
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Strange times indeed!
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Definitely plausible. I cant even believe what i am seeing and hearing any more. Well said, Jim.
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Wow. This is so incredibly well written – such a concise, chilling and clear breath holding from beginning to end. What will we do.
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Thanks Lindi!
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Our techno toys have blinded and deafened us to the rout of human sentience — else why go to virus parties in the first place? Wise asses dicing with The Fool: No matter what gets thrown, its snake eyes every time. Loved the repeated stanza at the end, it brings us face to face. – Brendan
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Insightful, Jim. I read it several times. Although I can’t explain, two thoughts: firstly, when I notice someone’s views are clung to tightly, are part of their identity, of their sense of “self,” I don’t debate. (It’s selfishness with my own time.) Secondly, a change of view may mean admitting to oneself that one has done terrible things, for example–oh, I don’t know–say, contributed to people dying from some disease. And it all becomes more difficult with time, as the stakes are raised. *Sighs* this is not the apocalypse I expected.
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Good points Steve, there are people I have known for years and I still can’t figure out their politics so I have stopped bothering. Beautiful weather here, finally getting a summer! JIM
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