Is mankind headed for an apocalyptic future? Meteorologists
say any one of the many passing comets could hit Earth at any time. And there
is nothing they could do about it. Every day, news stories tell of unrest
amongst the population.
In the news this morning:
- Morsi loyalists shot dead in Cairo,
- Crash plane tried to abort landing,
- Canada train blast a war zone,
- Ten die in Alaska plane crash,
- US-EU trade talks amidst tensions ... to name a few
- And Long Doom Calling, the forth in the Higher Ground, futuristic series, has been released at last.
Okay—I'm taking a side-track with this announcement. I know
many of you were waiting for the futuristic group of travelers from Cornworld to
reach their destination. Long Doom, the big bad city where packs of dogs roam
and men prey on each other, gives the delightful country folks quite a
challenge. With the centre of the city still flooded, Cerridwen needs to dive
to find the treasure mentioned in the cave back in Saint Eyes.
My 89-year-old neighbor Isaac spoke to me yesterday about
the premise for the books. He gave me quite a lecture. In his eyes, the books
depict civilization going backwards, which he thought was ridiculous because technology
is advancing. When I explained that all the technology was wiped out during the
flood after the comet strike, he said mankind would find a way to keep it.
He could be right. By the way, I plan to write a novel chronicling
his adventures after he arrived in London in 1938 at the age of 14.
But, back to the future: say a comet struck Earth—in
England, near London. Perhaps it would knock the planet out of alignment. The
fault-line between England and Scotland would crack, raising England and
lowering Scotland again. Everyone would try to reach higher ground. Many would
drown. Generations would pass before the land dried out. In the meantime the forest
would take over. That's the basis for the plot.
Other science fiction writers have presented stories about
wonderful futuristic technology. But, I've often wondered how they kept it
after an apocalypse.
What are your views about a possible catastrophic future? Is
my idea pessimistic as Isaac said?
