Summary

The article contemplates the possibility of an unknown individual stepping up to prevent a potential global catastrophe.

Abstract

The article raises concerns about the looming threat of a third world war and the role of leaders in preventing such a catastrophe. It questions the complicity of those surrounding these leaders and their ability to influence decisions. The author suggests that it may come down to an individual, such as a key soldier or military leader, to break rank and say "no" to utter madness. This person, who chooses a different route, could become a hero and save humanity.

Opinions

The author expresses concern about the potential for a third world war and the role of leaders in preventing it.
The author questions the complicity of those surrounding leaders who commit crimes against humanity.
The author suggests that it may come down to an individual, such as a key soldier or military leader, to prevent a global catastrophe.
The author implies that this individual, who chooses a different route, could become a hero and save humanity.
The author hints at the possibility of this individual's motivations ranging from optimistic (a change of heart, spiritual awakening, or touch of conscience) to pessimistic (greed, envy, or other deadly sins).
The author implies that the future of humanity rests in the hands of this as-of-yet unknown individual.
The author questions how humanity has come to this point, where the future of humanity rests on the shoulders of an unknown individual.

Will the Latest Savior of Humanity Please Stand Up?

It is no joke we seem ridiculously close to a third world war. Despite the progress humans have made over the centuries, there are some individuals who still refuse to ascend. Stuck in the mire of selfishness, including the pursuit of greed, power and pomp, these individuals will kill us all.

When one person decides to end the world as we know it, will there even be anyone around to stop them? Surrounding these rulers, dictators, and autocrats are swarms of people who seem content with whatever crimes against humanity their leaders wish to commit. While there are some among those swarms who likely operate under fear of punishment or reprisal, all sadly tend to remain complicit.

Many of us are left to go about our day-to-day business, while wondering in the backs of our minds, “Is this the day it all ends?” It might not be, and so we carry on. We still have to make ends meet.

As individuals, far removed from the leadership of our tribes, or groups, or nations, we must rely on the strength and decisions of our chosen leaders to keep the world safe — though many of these same leaders have their own agendas, some more selfish than others. Still, we hope the good outweighs the bad, as it applies to ourselves that is.

We should expect more from our leaders. They promise all the time to lead us into a better future. They do their best to take care of us, sometimes with our blessings, and sometimes against our collective will. Eventually, we just go along with it and move on.

Enter the global crisis and our leaders are quick to hesitate. Wait and see, discuss, consult, and deliberate. It’s logical and wise. But then you get a flashback from elementary school and see the small kid getting beat up by the local bully. Meanwhile, everyone just stands around and watches, frozen from action, except this is playing out on a global scale, and you’re still just as helpless.

In that helpless moment, for what are we waiting? Perhaps that the small kid will turn the tables on the bully? Or maybe someone (but not us) will step in to help, or at least break it up? Or how do we do something without calling attention to ourselves? We certainly don’t wish to be next in line for the bully’s whims, but deep down, we know someone is.

Once again, on the global scale, the bully is surrounded by the cronies of the empire. While aim may be taken at those cronies in an attempt to produce less harmful results, how effective could that truly be? Do we imagine a group of well-to-do’s gathering up to present their case to the bully?

“We used to be doing pretty well under your regime, but now we’re not. Could you please stop?”

We have to ask ourselves, would scheming bullies care that the people riding their coattails to wealth and power were experiencing a change in fortune? I imagine it would depend on how close those people were, or how much of their continued success directly correlated to the bully’s bid to stay in power. With that taken into account, we are likely countering a land grab with a wealth grab, and not necessarily the right person’s wealth.

So, who then?

It comes down to those who are following the orders. A key soldier, or a high-up-the-chain military leader, or someone simply in the same room as the person when they decide to push-the-button/give-the-command to end things. Someone has to break rank and say “No!” No to what wouldn’t just be a bit of madness, but utter madness. Would you agree? Utter madness?

Throw out everything you know about humanity’s progress over thousands of years. Throw out things like love and birth and beauty. Throw out everything about hopes and dreams and personal ambition. Throw out everything about mathematics and evolution and spiritual ascension. Throw it all out because the future of humanity rests in the hands of some as-of-yet unknown individual who will refuse to end the world as we know it. An individual who will say, “No. I’m going to go a different route.”

The reasons for going a different route could steer anywhere from optimistic, such as a change of heart, a spiritual awakening, or a touch of conscience, all the way to pessimistic like a touch of greed, a touch of envy, or any of the other deadly sins. It won’t matter why they say, “No.” Only that they do. And that person will become a hero, with a chance to be remembered in a good light the world over.

Okay. You can stand up now. It’s time.

And this is how humanity will be saved. If it is, I mean.

How did it come to this, you ask? How did it come to this, indeed?

What are your thoughts?

Thank you for reading. You can subscribe to my future content here. I share my articles on Leadership and Management and their application to your world on my publication, The Endeavor Perspective. You can also check out my fantasy and fiction publication, A Bit of Madness, as well as its non-fiction counterpart, A Bit of Genius.