The Elephant in the Room.

The biggest elephant in the room is how we see ourselves as distinct from the animal world. No matter how biologically similar we are to primates in zoos, we act as though they exist in a totally different dimension. No amount of excrement in sewers, savage fights and physical frailty convinces us that we are not in a separate realm of smug superiority. It is our only consistent achievement; delusional hubris.

Of course, we reinforce the myth of god-like detachment from animal behaviour by drawing attention to our complex language, scientific accomplishments and philosophical polemics. But what if all these 'attributes' were ultimately contradictory and void? Wouldn't we then be no better than a collection of chattering monkeys wrapped up in our own little worlds? Wouldn't our basic animalistic existence be the only thing left?

Well, this indeed could be precisely the situation we're in! It seems to me that every idea and concept that humanity produces is sooner or later contradicted by a competing theory, refuting evidence or practical problems. Science has led to the industrial rape of the planet, religion has legitimised countless wars, we remain in the grip of death, disease, pain, famine, natural disasters, poverty and alienation.

All we are really left with are dreams....

I could download that new photograph of the universe, of course. But I need a piss first.