07 November 2006

Digging Tunnels with Plastic Spoons

Humankind apparently forgot that the term 'sapiens' in Homo Sapiens means intelligent. Forgot the adage that 'with great power comes great responsibility'. Humans: A monument to Murphy's Law that says 'anything that can go wrong, will'. A testament to the fact that inherently inane beings, given choices, will make the wrong ones.

But not all make the wrong choices. These few remarkable individuals probably stay the Hand of The Maker from obliterating this species from the universe.

One such individual is Mimi. Mimi started this idea called the Peace Globe. Titled Dona Nobis Pacem, and signed by participating bloggers; the Peace Globe was nothing more than the desire for peace of each individual blogger. Undeniably feeble an idea. Surely, a chain of globes cannot achieve what numerous important-sounding treaties did not achieve. When the United Nations, in its third avatar, has failed; when NATO is nada; when NPT is history; when the Kyoto Protocol is worth less than a retarded rodent’s rear and Human Rights have been, er, left behind; the term ‘snowball’s chance in hell’ seems rather inadequate to describe this audacious Peace Globe idea. Prometheus himself has participated in some high-sounding global treaties and world forums. He has seen enough to believe his former superior officer who termed these events as ‘Meeting-Eating-Cheating’ charades. Prometheus did tell Mimi that this Peace Globe thing was ‘like digging a tunnel to China armed with a plastic spoon’.

But Prometheus did participate in the Peace Globe venture. Why? There is a proverb in Hindi that means ‘even a twig is assistance to a drowning man’. When the sun is blotted out, even a firefly seems dear. For Prometheus, the Peace Globe was not just a symbol of his derision for war of the military kind. It also symbolized his prayer for a world where we treat each other with respect, with equality, with justice. A world where we have rid ourselves of hidden agenda, of malice, of superiority over another race or religion, of our selfish traits and of our parasitic tendencies. His dream of a clean human race, one that achieves so much more by harnessing the time formerly spent watching our backs. Like the Elf kind of Tolkien. Wise and serene. Drowning in an endless ocean of stupidity, selfishness and hate; the Peace Globe was Prometheus’ proverbial twig.

November 7 is the day Mimi chose to be Peace Globe Day. Frank Sirianni did an album of all participating globes. There are but a few globes. Nowhere near even a fraction of the number of active bloggers. But these few globes represent the wisdom of mankind. They are a shout for peace. They are proof that you can’t fool all the people all the time. They deride the idiotic excuses for war. They chant that peace is the only option. They pinch to remind us of Mutually Assured Destruction and its futility. They preach that life becomes so much better with peace. They are proof that a renaissance can and needs to be wrought. And they are proof that this renaissance has been wrought within us. A movement has started.

Prometheus is proud of the Peace Globe, proud of Mimi and proud of all contributors.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

What an inspiring post! Mimi will be touched. I know I was.

You're right, it all starts from within. I hope you've found some measure of that much-needed pacem, mon ami.

Prometheus said...

Nyet Liz, Prometheus hasn't found any pacem yet. Anger, he has in him. Lead him to the Darth side, it will.

But DNPDay was big enough for him to break his vow of silence.

Mimi Lenox said...

Prometheus....my dear friend. I am deeply moved. Not only is this brilliantly written but you have spoken out of obvious conviction and purpose. There is peace in Prometheus. I sense the goodness and conviction of a man I'm proud to call my friend - and one for whom there can be no such wisdom except borne of a peaceful spirit. Sometimes, anger pushes us to move in the direction of peace - in ways we never imagined. I pray that you will find the inner peace you espouse to be lacking. I, for one, do not believe that it is out of your reach.
This is moving and inspiring. What a wonderful day to ponder peace and watch it happen in my heart as I read your passionate plea on behalf of us all. God speed. Dona Nobis Pacem.

Mimi Lenox said...

And about that tunnel to China - scour the blogosphere. Mims just got a bigger spoon.

Yaxlich said...

Yaxlich thinks that Prometheus has hit the nail squarely on the head. With a plastic spoon.

Give Yaxlich's regards to Yoda. He always did like the Dagobah swamps.

Anonymous said...

It is a huge undertaking just to deal with others in a spirit of peace. We all love to steep in the wrongs others have done us (especially me). Thanks for reminding me to be a person of peace, Prometheus.

Anonymous said...

Thank your for your words..beautiful..powerful..m

Anonymous said...

Prometheus is deep. I am impressed.

And yeah. This is worth fighting for. We gotta keep believing. We gotta stay hungry. We gotta stay foolish. Because if we don't, then we will lose an important part of ourselves, and that is Hope.

Anonymous said...

Very well said and will be kept in mind
This is something we should all support no matter what
:)

Prometheus said...

Prometheus knew he can count on his friends to be there when he got back to blogging, even if partially.

Liz, you're a real buddy. Always.

Mims, if someone deserves thanks and applause, it is you. Having the guts to stare down worldwide stupidity armed with nothing but a chain of globes, you truly deserve the title, Queen Mimi. Prometheus has again seen your 'Mims got a bigger spoon' comment. Prometheus prays you get one of them professional diggers soon. Prometheus would love to mouth some cheesy line from Armageddon like "C'mon boys, we gotta hole to dig". He signs up to drive one of them diggers.

Yaxlich, friend of Prometheus, Master Yoda is trying to raise a chocolate cake for you. He asks you to use the Force, when the clenchometer goes wild.

Gemmolina, you ARE a person of peace. Go get the NaNo globe for us, girl.

Madd, welcome to this swamp of the blogosphere. And thanks for the appreciation.

Suspect, Prometheus is happy to know he can impress progeny of IIT toppers.

ZI, yes, we all should support this, for we have no other choice.

Anonymous said...

Stopping by way of Mimi to wish you Peace

B.R.L said...

Thank you for your post. Leave you with the wish for peace.

Anonymous said...

Peace be with you always...came via Mimi's Peace Globe...

Anonymous said...

Prometheus,
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today and sharing your insight. You wrote in part "Imagine world leaders who have grown up on using technology for peace and sharing." We can only hope that such a time comes soon and that this same generation will have an interest in dialog, peace, teamwork and the global citizenship and consideration for others to carry Mimi's idea forward.

Anonymous said...

Being Homo sapiens sapiens sometimes comes in the way of maintaining peace. After witnessing the world's first nuclear implosion Robert Oppenheimer is said to have cited from the Gita : "I have become death, shatterer of worlds."

Anonymous said...

Hi Prometheus
this was a beautiful and moving entry. thanks for the supportive message you left on my blog The Witch Doctor is IN! I'd like to do a link exchange with you. Your blogs are really interesting and thought provoking. I like the Moving Middle Finger and the UAE group blog you are part of. Peace Brother!
-Lex

Mimi Lenox said...

Mimi would like to see Prometheus show up in the blogosphere.

Anonymous said...

This is such a lovely idea. I live in an olive grove with peacocks. But when I leave, I am reminded of the lack of peace in our world, the policies of war and hatred, the bloddy misunderstandings, the kidnappings, the random killings, and the nightly television news. I am so thankful that there are people like Mimi who are trying to do something about it.

Anonymous said...

As late as this idea is, and I am late for everything, I hope you will consider this idea. Peace at least a sense of collective calm can only be achieved by removing the suffering of all. Conflict is the nature of man. Overcoming sickness and hunger will give men pause and wonder if those who cry "war" are offering less than they already have. Conflicts rise as there are still so many who have nothing at all to lose.

Annelisa said...

Well said, Prometheus! If I could, I would hand you your dream on a (plastic) plate! But, in the meantime, I will add my spoon to yours, and 'do what I can'.

Peace Prometheus!

Anonymous said...

Like Mimi, Aldebaran too would like the third moon of Saturn (aka Prometheus) to return to blog orbit.