Everything is different but nothing has changed

These were the words of officer Harry Dune during the January 6th commission hearing. I think it’s fair to say he summarized what we’ve all been feeling since 2020 ended.

We all have to face a new reality. That we have a major political party in office willing to downplay what happened at the Capitol to appease a deranged and mentally unstable base of supporters. They’re willing to give into conspiracy theories about President Biden creating a police state by begging people to get the covid-19 vaccination. They’re willing to sacrifice every single one of their supporters as long as they can vote for them and buy their terrible merchandise. They will downplay climate change as long as it’s profitable for them to do so.

This reality isn’t driven only by partisan politics. it’s driven by money. From the hosts of FOX News to the GOP politicians comfortably accepting donations from energy companies after passing legislation in their favor. The perpetual pursuit of milking cash-cows is leading this nation, perhaps the global community at large, to its own slaughter.

We fumble with climate change policy despite knowing the consequences. We fixate on entertainment because it distracts us. We’re addicted to outrage to validate our anxieties. None of this will stop soon enough for us to make any radical changes necessary for our adaptation to a warmer Earth until we collectively blame ourselves for failing each other.

We didn’t want to take life seriously. We were told it’s better to focus on the here and now instead of the future. Many found comfort by crafting new streams of income or living lavish lifestyles. Well, the future is here now. And no one, even with the knowledge that our lifestyles were unsustainable, is the least bit prepared for it.

I’m not. I wish I tried harder. I wish I did something more to help give people a sense of urgency about changing our ways. I can’t say that I didn’t know this was coming. We always knew it would be. Maybe I just wanted to see it for myself first.

Now I wish we never had to.