Home in our World

During our weekend in Berlin, we dwelled on the situation in the world. We agreed these are difficult times. Or “interesting times” as the Chinese curse calls times like these. We did not always agree on how to interpret this point in history.

Some of my friends think that the year 2012 will be a significant turning point. They believe the Mayan prediction about 2012 bringing the end of time as we know it. The Mayan calendar ends at 12:12 on December 12, 2012 – or so they say. Also, the bible book Apocalypse predicts the end of the world. This moment will be preceded by many of the phenomena we now witness. The prophet predicts mayor floods and earthquakes, conflict, confusion and false prophets. We seem to be getting a fair share of all of those, lately.

I have my doubts. First, there seems to be some confusion about the exact date of the end of the world. Scholars do not agree on the year, or even the decade. Secondly, what does that mean, “the end of time”? Will the earth explode, will the human race be extinguished? Hard to believe, I find. Unless the planet would collide with a comet, it seems difficult to kill all 7 billion people on this globe. Somehow, millions of people would survive even a giant tsunami after a super earthquake, or a sudden ice age. Will 2012 bring the end, then, of Western civilization, as we know it? That could be plausible, perhaps.

Someday soon, China could decide that it no longer needs expensive western products in exchange for its massive production of cheap consumer products. If we were to plunge into an even deeper economic abyss, western capitalism could finally catch up with itself and go under in a total system collapse. Devoured by our own greed, megalomania and power hunger.

Economic collapse would throw our society into violence, hunger and despair, comparable to the present situation of two thirds of the world population, but it would not mean the end of all civilization. Just the end of our glorious version of it. That would be bad enough, of course, and quite regrettable, for our civilization is truly magnificent.

But it would not necessarily be a catastrophe to the human race. And it would even out the gross injustice and imparity of the present state of world affairs. Still, I would certainly regret such a development, personally and idealistically.

Why is this discussion relevant to the quest for A Good Place To Die? Because imminent system collapse is one reason, at least for some people near and dear to me, to seek refuge to a place where we could better survive than in a big city. If this is a valid consideration, and if money would lose its value, then it would be wise to invest now in property, in land and a safe place to live. In this vision, A Good Place To Die should be a place with a pleasant climate and a natural supply of clean water, where we could grow our own food. Such a place could be La Gomera. In May, Sabine and I will visit La Gomera again. If not to seek refuge, then for a nice short holiday..!