If peace ever became a thing, a real and lasting thing, then where would that leave the empire builders? They would be out of a job. Peace be upon all of us on the good Earth.
I often wonder why peace seems so elusive. Conflict doesn’t have to lead to war, but it sure seems to much of the time. My European ancestors seemed to always be engaged in perpetual war. When I first started genealogical research, I was hoping to find an architect, a poet, or someone who saved their village from a fire. Nope. So far all I find are captains and an occasional general. Their goals were to “pacify” (their terminology) the indigenous peoples. Did they ever think it was they who needed pacification? (Perhaps these souls on the “other side” are saying: why is she spending time studying us if we don’t fascinate her). Yet, I think at this point in time much of humanity sees the need to turn this yet to be obtained concept of peace into reality because annihilation seems to be the alternative, as you say in your article. I was reminded today of a quote I see every now and then by Simone de Beauvoir: The oppressor would not be so strong if he did not have accomplices among the oppressed.” Will enough of humanity see clearly enough and be brave enough not to be accomplices?
A thought about our institutions and our historians;
Are they not by their very nature inclined to chronicle our conflicts and our sufferings. The loud, the conquests, the battles, the discoveries, all inscribed by many, and monuments constructed for our progeny. But is this really the net sum of humanity, is this the entirety of our collective story?
Just because you do not find a record of a poet, an artist, or a formal hero in your ancestral tree does not mean none existed. The absence of record is not proof that none existed, or that such were in fact not the majority of all souls who have lived . Look around you now, are there none in your family, or among your friends, who are poetic in spirit, artistic, and kind, these are the majority , the unsung heroes of humanity`s everyday endurance? Such is our lineage, though it is never recorded, but our living proof is all around us.
Again, I the atheists am comforted by my faith, a belief, or maybe a deception, nevertheless I will wager, that the net sum of humanity’s evils and goods still results in a positive. Not because the evil isn't profound, but because the good is so pervasive, so quietly foundational, that we mistake it for background noise. We are here, connecting and caring despite everything, because of that invisible surplus.
So true. The deeds of those who were not warriors get overlooked in favor of those who were successful in battle. Yes, among the ancestors there were females who nurtured many babies, and males who were craftsmen. I almost forgot that I have an ancestor who made soap for the community!
A very good quote and a very good question. One would hope that the genocide in Gaza being live-streamed has been a uniquely effective "tool" that has opened the eyes of many. Perhaps for the first time in history we'll reach a critical mass of people who have had enough of the endless wars/genocide and have a strong desire for peace. We can only hope that we don't keep repeating our ancestors' less than noble actions, for that way will only ultimately lead to the end of this world.
We are now in the age where the evil engage in war, while staging fake peace talks and fake peace agreements......but actually advocating for peace is now in some instances illegal.
So true. If you had asked me thirty years ago if we'd ever live in such a world, I would have thought, "No, that's too Orwellian. It will never get that bad. It's fiction." Now, I know better.
I can live without the digital nose-picker and electric pancake flipper, but so many are brainwashed into thinking that they must have the latest crap. Perhaps the crash of the empire that is imminent will overcome the propaganda? When that happens there truly will bring peace on earth! Happy Holidays to everyone!
Thank you for this important and timely reminder CA, spot on as usual. I hope that peace is attained someday, a world where the empire builders have nothing to manage and no chance to profit off people's suffering and misery is a better world imo. Have a safe and joyous holiday
"“strengthening the economy” through consumption of mindless crap: Bwahahaha. Talk about the worst cover story of all for killing the Biosphere. More like “strengthening the elites' strangulation of our lives”.
Great focus for a genuine Christmas message. Thank you. Loved the well-chosen images too.
Peace to you and yours, too, Vin. It's time for us to totally undermine the empire by refusing to buy its mindless crap--both the physical kind and the propaganda kind. Bankrupt them totally as they are morally bankrupt.
Well said Mr. LoPresti, the engine of the system is driven by consumption of things we don't need with money we don't have, and the Earth pays the price. Have a restful and safe holiday
I often wonder why peace seems so elusive. Conflict doesn’t have to lead to war, but it sure seems to much of the time. My European ancestors seemed to always be engaged in perpetual war. When I first started genealogical research, I was hoping to find an architect, a poet, or someone who saved their village from a fire. Nope. So far all I find are captains and an occasional general. Their goals were to “pacify” (their terminology) the indigenous peoples. Did they ever think it was they who needed pacification? (Perhaps these souls on the “other side” are saying: why is she spending time studying us if we don’t fascinate her). Yet, I think at this point in time much of humanity sees the need to turn this yet to be obtained concept of peace into reality because annihilation seems to be the alternative, as you say in your article. I was reminded today of a quote I see every now and then by Simone de Beauvoir: The oppressor would not be so strong if he did not have accomplices among the oppressed.” Will enough of humanity see clearly enough and be brave enough not to be accomplices?
A thought about our institutions and our historians;
Are they not by their very nature inclined to chronicle our conflicts and our sufferings. The loud, the conquests, the battles, the discoveries, all inscribed by many, and monuments constructed for our progeny. But is this really the net sum of humanity, is this the entirety of our collective story?
Just because you do not find a record of a poet, an artist, or a formal hero in your ancestral tree does not mean none existed. The absence of record is not proof that none existed, or that such were in fact not the majority of all souls who have lived . Look around you now, are there none in your family, or among your friends, who are poetic in spirit, artistic, and kind, these are the majority , the unsung heroes of humanity`s everyday endurance? Such is our lineage, though it is never recorded, but our living proof is all around us.
Again, I the atheists am comforted by my faith, a belief, or maybe a deception, nevertheless I will wager, that the net sum of humanity’s evils and goods still results in a positive. Not because the evil isn't profound, but because the good is so pervasive, so quietly foundational, that we mistake it for background noise. We are here, connecting and caring despite everything, because of that invisible surplus.
That invisible surplus of good... That's a lovely thought.
But its so much more than a thought, It`s my reality,
I know I am fortunate , to be as I am. where I am, and with whom I am,
But in spite of cynical rants, I do believe that there are is more good than evil in this world, even if the evil does overshadow it.
So true. The deeds of those who were not warriors get overlooked in favor of those who were successful in battle. Yes, among the ancestors there were females who nurtured many babies, and males who were craftsmen. I almost forgot that I have an ancestor who made soap for the community!
A very good quote and a very good question. One would hope that the genocide in Gaza being live-streamed has been a uniquely effective "tool" that has opened the eyes of many. Perhaps for the first time in history we'll reach a critical mass of people who have had enough of the endless wars/genocide and have a strong desire for peace. We can only hope that we don't keep repeating our ancestors' less than noble actions, for that way will only ultimately lead to the end of this world.
Hoping we can find ways to stop buying the lies and propaganda which will hopefully lead to stop buying crap we don't need.
Amen! Sometimes we just have to put our fingers in our ears and stop listening to those who don't have our best interests at heart.
Forget peace on earth! All I want for Christmas is a digital nose- picker! Do they come with a digital ass-scratcher?
No, it's still an analog ass-scratcher... But next year, who knows? LOL!!
We can only hope!
Peace is not only right and humane but also sanity.
We are now in the age where the evil engage in war, while staging fake peace talks and fake peace agreements......but actually advocating for peace is now in some instances illegal.
That is the level of evil the world has reached.
So true. If you had asked me thirty years ago if we'd ever live in such a world, I would have thought, "No, that's too Orwellian. It will never get that bad. It's fiction." Now, I know better.
I can live without the digital nose-picker and electric pancake flipper, but so many are brainwashed into thinking that they must have the latest crap. Perhaps the crash of the empire that is imminent will overcome the propaganda? When that happens there truly will bring peace on earth! Happy Holidays to everyone!
It's going to take a complete collapse of the empire to rid ourselves of the propaganda. I'm sure of it. Time to get to work on it!
Thank you for this important and timely reminder CA, spot on as usual. I hope that peace is attained someday, a world where the empire builders have nothing to manage and no chance to profit off people's suffering and misery is a better world imo. Have a safe and joyous holiday
The same to you, Aamir. May 2026 bring us all ample opportunities to tear down the empire!
"“strengthening the economy” through consumption of mindless crap: Bwahahaha. Talk about the worst cover story of all for killing the Biosphere. More like “strengthening the elites' strangulation of our lives”.
Great focus for a genuine Christmas message. Thank you. Loved the well-chosen images too.
PEACE to you and yours.
Peace to you and yours, too, Vin. It's time for us to totally undermine the empire by refusing to buy its mindless crap--both the physical kind and the propaganda kind. Bankrupt them totally as they are morally bankrupt.
Well said Mr. LoPresti, the engine of the system is driven by consumption of things we don't need with money we don't have, and the Earth pays the price. Have a restful and safe holiday
Likewise, Aamir. Peace to you.
Thank you Mr. LoPresti, same to you and a pleasant New Year in advance
Merry Christmas to all trying to free themselves from the shopping yoke.
May we all be free some day soon from the tyranny of materialism!