Actual work supports civilization

Back in 2017 wrote a post here where simply defined work: 

To me work is when a person provides a service under some kind of contract to some entity.

And now years later am realizing I missed importance back then of a dismal possibility. As a person can provide a service under contract yet not necessarily be actually giving a social benefit.

Finding myself now contemplating yet again then how to define work my preferred way which is with a functional definition. But now after witnessing much with a world tumbling through crisis after crisis, am certain actual work should support civilization.

Like am considering people with political positions and disastrous decisions as clearly now can tell they did not really believe in modern medical science. But seems had medical doctors who didn't either! As pandemic really didn't seem to scare them as it should have.

Consequences globally continue to play out dismally.

Civilization am sure will be ok, eventually. As these kind of things have happened before. And yes, a lot of people can get things very wrong with horrible consequence.

Human species though does continue. And am confident hard lessons are being learned now.

Oh yeah wrote a poem today on Twitter, so is 280 characters also relevant in this area:

Desire to be free, did inspire me; freeing myself now to tell.

Witnessing a world where dreams shifted as reality shattered; fantasy, undone.

What is real in jobs now what appeal? If death can bring, on airborne wings?

Work where? That pulls me through? Better free assure you.

Contemplating belief versus reality

Feel very sad as consider bit over three years since world was reeling with news of arrival of a deadly highly contagious virus. At first seemed like people were taking seriously. And I thought much basic would happen to help prevention of infection.

Know more than most on subject as while I enlisted despite having a physics degree, did get a direct commission eventually. Was in radiation safety which is a part of Preventive Medicine and learned much overall.

Somehow preventing infection though was not a priority recently which greatly puzzled. People focused on idea of vaccines and quickly decided were safe. And many quickly decided to move on.

Was very puzzled until pondered beliefs as also had rethought behavior with AIDS epidemic over three decades ago. Was horrified to realize was a very similar pattern.

Is clear to me now that many do not believe in viruses as actual things like say bullets or grenades. While I do and know can be just as lethal but more subtle as travel as microscopic particles. Situation remains grim as another lethal virus spreads much unchecked.

But is way more contagious and is clear world will not get decades with this one.

When pride tries to hide fall

Our species had some important advances in technology in late 1800's and early 1900's that greatly improved food production. Where advances with machines were a large part like with arrival of tractors. Plus industry got good at getting food to people all over the world. Supermarkets are modern marvels.

Historically food shocks had been most devastating area for humans and that changed. Should have been great! 

But instead massive wars erupted, mass conflict took over, and severe inequalities gained traction. And human species exploded into runaway growth.

Our species burned more and more relentlessly till blankets of carbon dioxide over world fueled more deadly weather. While accelerating evolution of viruses with stunning carelessness as behaved as if they were not most lethal things on planet.

Plenty of critiques questioned behavior that finally had clear consequences from 2020 when a pandemic was declared. And weather has worsened sharply, with huge flooding disasters created just by rain which are global now.

Yet, especially in nations like my own? Some insist things are ok! Claim original pandemic is over despite actual evidence showing is worse, and try to talk economy instead of rapidly disintegrating environment.

What is explanation? I think is pride.

Turns out critiques were correct. People did need to be responsible and be concerned about the future. 

Endless exploitation and greed were actually bad ideas. But folks many I think did think were successful with doomed behavior are not the types to admit were wrong have noticed.

Smart people though are working hard on handling reality rather than denying it for any reason. Is particularly sad to me that denial I perceive is for ego protection. People who screwed things up, actually behave worse as that is clear to try and hide that truth.

Our species though has always depended ultimately on dealing with reality and actually handling problems being deciding factor. 

Our communication with each other like am attempting with this post can talk from why of tragedy to path to renewal which I think is, responsible behavior.