Clive Bibby: Human spirit fails to match hi-tech advances

Clive Bibby.

I read an interesting article recently about the development of an engine that was designed to be an effective unit to propel humans to Mars without burning fuel.

It seemed to me that this idea flew (excuse the pun) in the face of most theories currently accepted as the support basis for modern space exploration.

That is, thrust is produced as a reaction to an action or there is a cause and effect equation that drives most human activities. This idea appears to break all the rules.

I have to admit to an inability to understand most of this developing science but admire the guys who are putting their theories and reputations on the line in order that we might benefit from the ones that work.

This has always been the way that the world has evolved ever since man decided it was more economical to walk upright than crawl around on hands and knees.

But unfortunately, the gains made from technological advances are not as readily matched by changes in the human spirit or our attitudes to one another.

Consequently, we far too often see the breakthroughs in one form of human endeavour squandered or selfishly limited by those who have the ability to share it all with the rest of humanity.

The end result is the continuation of a world divided into the "haves" and the "have nots".

The sad thing about this situation is that it doesn't need to be this way.

Most of us are aware of the major limiting factors to a more egalitarian society and accept that it would only require a commitment from all of us to vote for change but, when it comes to the crunch, because of selfishness and indifference we make absolutely no move to do something about it.

We talk a lot about those less fortunate than ourselves but instead of acknowledging our own complicity in establishing their plight, we prefer to settle for policies that provide more of the same.

We don't like to be confronted with the truth that we are as guilty as the politicians for their inactions because we let them get away with it for far too long.

When it all blows up in our face, as happened in the recent United States elections, we rush around like headless chooks blaming everyone but ourselves and creating our own groundless theories as to how we should deal with a monster of someone else's creation.

I suspect that most of those who continue to reject the notion that they had a hand in the emergence of Donald Trump also fail to accept that it is in their power to help make a Trump presidency a successful one.

If they are indeed repentant elitists, they could start by supporting the positive policies he was advocating during the campaign.

They will not have to worry about the less attractive aspects of the man or his manner because if the majority decide to do something that up till now has been an anathema to them, ie, swallow some dead rats and become involved, then the President will be compelled to follow suit.

All this talk of Trump being another Hitler is just emotional claptrap that is levelled at every politician that rattles the cage. That doesn't excuse his behaviour but it does put it in perspective.

The last century has produced some pretty unsavoury characters who won election to the United States' highest office, yet none of them were able to abuse the system long enough before being found out.

I predict that Donald Trump will be no better or worse as President than he is allowed to be.

The outcome of that theory is entirely in the hands of the US people. We should be encouraging them to get on with it because the lives of all New Zealanders will be directly affected by how much they become involved. It is a cause and effect.