Lessons from Kilau’ea

The recent eruption of Kilau’ea made international news primarily because several fissures and lava vents opened up in subdivisions a few miles away. Many houses were destroyed by the river of molten lava. Entire lifetime investments literally went up in smoke. Such is the impermanence of life on Planet Earth. Even the ancients were keenly aware of the forces of nature. Only in later times, the forces of nature were deemed to be the result of mischief of the imaginary deities (e.g., Molech).

Kilau’ea

The Great Prophet, Ernest Becker, discussed at length the frivolity of human endeavors in his tome, “The Denial of Death.” All such endeavors, large and small, are what Becker defines as “immortality projects.” In the 21st century, the scope of “immortality projects” has increased exponentially not just for individuals, but also for institutions, municipalities, and nation-states. The empire, of course, is the worst perpetrator as it edges toward collapse from within and by externalities beyond its control.

The myriad “immortality projects,” enhanced by technology, are now threatening the existence of all life on the planet. Because “immortality projects” are selfish by nature, the extant damage caused by the latter becomes locked in a increasingly destructive positive feedback loop. One look at the headlines from non-“fake news” media can provide a quick indication of the accelerating devastation.

The primary lesson from Kilau’ea appears to be the fact that humans, chimpo sapiens, cannot learn any lesson from the past, distant or near. The only path left will lead to total annihilation which, perhaps, has been human destiny all along.