You have come to the last window, my lovely Mortals.

It is no secret that people have a natural fear of the unknown. Whether you admit it or not, there is something extremely scary about not knowing what lies ahead.

Popular fiction will paint for you a future made up of bleaker colors than exist in your Today. Dystopia, war, famine, death, and/or destruction make up the world on the horizon, and it feels horrible. Sure, a Great Robot War or an Undead Apocalypse sounds sort of interesting (and perhaps even intriguing), but it does nothing but show that our world is in a downward spiral.

Even non-fiction seems to make us feel like this world is destined for dark things, as corrupt politicians fight it out for absolute power, religions keep everyone separated, and fear generally reigns supreme. Such is the world we live in today, why should it be any different in the future?

I watched a movie recently that had much of this in its general plotline, but the movie’s overall theme wasn’t bleakness. In fact, the point of the movie was optimism and its power to create a brighter future. It made me think… What if the future is bright?

What if the future was upbeat and wonderful, like this film suggested was a possibility? Are any of us capable of accepting such a future?

 

“They didn’t fear their demise, they re-packaged it. It could be enjoyed as videogames, as TV shows, books, movies; the entire world wholeheartedly embraced the apocalypse and sprinted towards it with gleeful abandon. Meanwhile, your Earth was crumbling all around you. You’ve got simultaneous epidemics of obesity and starvation. Explain that one! Bees and butterflies start to disappear, the glaciers melt, algae blooms. All around you the coal mine canaries are dropping dead and you won’t take the hint! In every moment there’s the possibility of a better future, but you people won’t believe it. And because you won’t believe it you won’t do what is necessary to make it a reality. So, you dwell on this terrible future. You resign yourselves to it for one reason, because that future does not ask anything of you today. So yes, we saw the iceberg and warned the Titanic. But you all just steered for it anyway, full steam ahead. Why? Because you want to sink.” “Tomorrowland”, Walt Disney Pictures, 2015

 

Looking through this window is daunting, and likely the most important window of all. Will one resign to darkness and despair because it is easier, or dare to hope and keep that light in their eyes just long enough to see that there can be a bright and beautiful future?

 

“There are two wolves and they are always fighting. One is darkness and despair. The other is light and hope. Which wolf wins?”                                                            “Tomorrowland”, Walt Disney Pictures, 2015

 

The answer to that is whichever one you feed.                                                                          (Yes, I’ve just quoted one movie twice. You should check it out if you haven’t already, it is definitely worth a watch.)

Make sure you’re feeding the right wolf, dearest Mortals.

 

This is the denizen under the bridge, signing off.