Chris Jepson: Make the comfortable uncomfortable

How does one determine what is important and what is not? Should we be concerned, for example, that our government is monitoring “all” our phone and Internet communication? Even if, as is argued, “they” are not actually listening to our phone calls? Even if “they” are allegedly doing it for our own good?

Should we care that George Orwell’s “1984” vision for the future is closer to becoming the unquestioned reality?

Should we care whether or not our unemployment rate remains at 7.5 percent? Care enough to support work programs for the long-term unemployed?

Should we care whether Republicans cut Food Stamp benefits for the poor or prevent healthcare for all Americans?

Should we care that corporations are now “citizens” of America with the same rights to speech as you or me?

Should we care that corporations promote and distribute products (food, cosmetics, etc.) without our knowing the health risks associated with them?

Should we care that another economic meltdown similar to 2007 is probable, that we (government) did little to significantly check the disproportionate power of the large banking/financial interests in America?

Should we care that moneyed special interests have more access to influence the legislative/governing process than the average citizen?

Should we care that America is one planeload of weapons away from involvement in yet another losing war in the Middle East (Syria)?

Should we care that a large number of Americans do not believe in the scientific process, consider Darwin in error, and believe in miracles?

A problem we “moderns” have is what we know. The Baby Boom generation, for example, is the first generation of humanity to unequivocally understand exactly how lethal human beings are to planet Earth. Think about the implications of that knowledge. Does that profoundly sad epiphany prevent our action?

There is no ambiguity – no doubt that mankind will consume it all. We will wipe out entire species while plowing-under, paving and industrially farming all arable land on the planet. We will dam rivers, drain aquifers and inexorably pollute our land, water and air. We will do this and call it “progress,” call it “good” and call it “necessary.”

And it is necessary. Why? Because there are so many of us (7 billion and counting) at the table. America alone adds a net gain of one new person every 13 seconds, all requiring housing, food, healthcare, transportation, electricity, water and jobs.

To have any hope of influencing the damage humans do to the planet demands our thinking and acting long term. Yet to act long term requires that we agree there are serious, life-threatening planetary (local, regional, world-wide) problems, and through cooperation and collective action effectively addressing those problems. Is there any indication based on the history of our species that we will sustainably act either cooperatively or collectively?

I marvel at those who deny that over-population is a problem for the planet. Research the population numbers for the Middle East for example. Look at birth rates and the average age of populations in any of the warring nations there and weep. Even removing the Israeli/Palestinian issue, there will be no stability in that part of the world for years to come.

Should we care about any of this? My answer is an unequivocal, “YES!” Pick your issue, educate yourself and get involved. Stand up. Speak up. Speak out. Join with others. Care. Make the comfortable uncomfortable. Put yourself out there.

What is important? You. And that you act.

Jepson is a 27-year resident of Central Florida. He’s fiscally conservative, socially liberal, likes art and embraces diversity of opinion. Reach him at [email protected]