Random Ranting II

'After all, is it not the way we humans shape the universe, shape time itself? Do we not take the raw stuff of chaos and impose a beginning, middle, and end on it, like the simplest and most profound of folktales, to reflect the shapes of our own tiny lives? And if the physicists are right, that the physical world changes as it is observed, and we are its only known observers, then might we not be bending the entire chaotic universe, the eternal, everactive Now, to fit that familiar form?
'If so, the universe, from the finest quantum dust to the widest vacuum spaces, does indeed have a shape. It begins "Once upon a time..."
'And if it is true, then only we humans, poor, naked semi-apes crouching in the thin light of our single star, marooned on the rim of a minor galaxy, can determine whether there will be a "Happily ever after".
'It makes my head hurt to think of it. It is a possibility too large and strange to contain for long, especially when we are still in such danger.[...]'
~Tad Williams: Otherland - Sea of Silver Light

Yes, I got so far in "Otherland", and this passage struck me especially because this is exactly what I (sometimes) think. Besides, it reminds me of my beloved "Mythopoeia", which among other things says just that. *sigh* As small and insignificant as we humans may be, we still have the power of conception that makes it possible for us to shape the universe - simply by how we see it. What we believe may be the most absurd bullshit, but as long as we believe in it, it's truth until we give up that belief. Which might explain why it is so terribly difficult to convince other people of something even if to oneself it is perfectly obvious - in fact, we can't understand why anyone should think otherwise (and yes, I am also thinking Iraq here). The sad thing is we don't even know for sure whether we are right. Even more sad is that most people don't seem to know that - don't notice that we all are treading thin ice, no matter how convinced we are of our beliefs. Instead, they think their ground is firm and only those who think otherwise are in constant danger of breaking in. But many say-sos don't make a truth. A truth, I think, is that what we call reality really is not a fact. It's merely our idea of reality. Am I repeating myself there? Sorry.
*trails off*

- - -
( Deutsche Fassung )

- - -

And because I'm hearing it over and over again in an endless loop...

As I raise my head to broadcast my objection
As your latest triumph draws the final straw
Who died and lifted you up to perfection?
And what silenced me is written into law.

I can't believe where circumstance has thrown me
And I turn my head away
If I look I'm not sure that I could face you.
Not again. Not today. Not today.

If hatred makes a play on me tomorrow
And forgiveness takes a back seat to revenge
There's a hurt down deep that has not been corrected
There's a voice in me that says you will not win.

And if I ignore the voice inside,
Raise a half glass to my home.
But it's there that I am most afraid,
And forgetting doesn't hold. It doesn't hold.

Now I don't believe and I never did
That two wrongs make a right.
If the world were filled with the likes of you
Then I'm putting up a fight. Putting up a fight.
Putting up a fight. Make it right. Make it right.

Now love cannot be called into question.
Forgiveness is the only hope I hold.
And love-- love will be my strongest weapon.
I do believe that I am not alone.

For this fear will not destroy me.
And the tears that have been shed
It's knowing now where I am weakest
And the voice in my head. In my head.

Then I raise my voice up higher
And I look you in the eye
And I offer love with one condition.
With conviction, tell me why.
Tell me why.
Tell me why.
Look me in the eye.
Tell me why.

*sigh*
REM rules!