Chris Jepson: More time? Not in the cards

Why is more better? When asked what we should toast to, one of my responses is, “To More!” — as in, more life. More camaraderie. More fun. More introspection. More grace. More champagne. You get the idea. I think it challenging as human beings to not want more.

I subscribe to design, fashion and architectural publications and I look at what others “possess” and some of it I want. I would love to have a house, a refuge just outside of Florence, on the way to Sienna. I’d take a beach house on the west coast of Costa Rica and if I had a big pile of chips, I’d have an apartment (with a view of Central Park) in New York City. Four residences would be just about right for my personal design ambitions. Creating, experiencing and living in beautiful environments ranks high on my list of priorities.

Interesting to me is my lack of interest in cars. I could give two twits what I ride in as long as it is reliable, has A/C and a radio to pick-up WUCF-FM 89.9 Jazz (the “bestest” jazz station in America). I have even less interest in wristwatches. I find it absolutely amazing that anyone invests in an expensive watch. That’s me. I have not worn a watch since 1985. I purchased that watch for $3 at an Omaha pizza restaurant that was doing a promotion; it was colorfully amusing.

Our stuff, our desire for stuff, however, is killing us.

More. The more stuff and experiences we accumulate – the more damaging we are to the planet and its environment. We (the Boomers) are the first generation of Americans (humans) to unequivocally understand how absolutely devastating human beings are to our fellow species as well as to the land, water and air of the planet. There is no ambiguity that the more human beings on the planet, the worse our prospects as a species.

More. Do more human beings imply a better life for all? An argument for more is that the bigger the pool of humanity, the more prospects that there will be more geniuses born — more phenomenal scientists to solve our environmental problems, more creative geniuses to artistically enthrall, inspire and amuse us. Alas, that may be true, but more humanity also increases the probability of more psychopaths and deadbeats. If America’s population is to grow 100 million this century, will the number of serial killers increase proportionally? How many more low-wage, fast food workers does America require?

More. Small populations can create phenomenal environments producing incredible creative advancements. Consider 5th century B.C. Athens or the Ancient Library of Alexandria, or 15th century Florence or 16th century Elizabethan England. Extraordinary advances in what it means to be a human being were achieved by getting “enough” people together under the “right” circumstances, and our species flowered as a result. It didn’t require hundreds of millions of people (now billions) to achieve Periclean Athens or Renaissance Florence. More humanity is not axiomatically progress. Actually, it will prove an impediment to human advancement.

More. That is the dichotomy we all face as 21st century Americans. What we need more of is birth control and responsible adults. Our future as a species, our planet depends on it. I’d toast to that.

And we don’t need no expensive watch to know time is running out. Cheers.