30 Fairmont Park Lane S
Lethbridge, AB
T1K 7H7
Phone: (403) 328-1804
Friday, February 13, 2004
The Editor
The Lethbridge Herald
P.O. Box 670
Lethbridge
AB, T1J 3Z7
Dear Editor:
Re: Dire events
Dr. Gwynne Dyer’s column suggests we should be worrying more as “the world is a far more dangerous place than we ever dreamed”. (Dyer Straight, February 8, A14)
He describes vague and improbable events which might occur, including gamma ray bursts, asteroid impacts, massive volcanic eruptions, land slides and resultant tsunamis, and global warming. He thinks we should be doing even more to prepare for some of these. He indicates our defensive action is insufficient and attributes our lack of concern to some “kind of cultural lag” and inability to accept reality.
Humans are allotted about 100 years of life at best. We instinctively and consciously value our lives and focus on protecting ourselves, others, and our environment, from clear present and imminent danger. Our economic culture recognizes our focus on our little window on time. We borrow money, paying interest, to help ensure our immediate lifetime needs are met. Similarly, the future monetary value of assets is reduced to reflect the fact their usefulness to anyone is increasingly uncertain with continuing exposure to the risks posed by our dangerous world and the uncertainty of our lives. Our collectively modest concern for the future much beyond our lifetimes is understandable and practical.
It seems that Dr. Dire is part of a small minority out of touch with reality and lacking cultural understanding as they propose overreaction to vague and unusual hazards.
Yours truly,
Duane Pendergast