Antinatalism and Depression XLII: Back to the Future
Channel: Anekantavad
Date: 17/08/2012

The future is much bigger than the present. Funny how the cards always get shuffled in such a way as to point the accusatory finger directly at us in the Here and Now, isn't it?

The past is gigantic and will never be exhaustively catalogued, let alone sorted out and made coherent. The future is vast beyond conception, and literally anything can happen as a result of the tiniest false step we make in the Here and Now.

With that level of responsibility for absolutely everything, no wonder some people collapse into a guilt-ridden paralysis. "Benatar complex" ought to go into our lexicon for that species of depression that results from excessive guilt projected into an infinite future. With any luck, that won't happen.

Ray Bradbury's parody of all the guilt we potentially carry if we think about it too much: His short story "A Sound of Thunder" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Sound_of_Thunder
The whole story, for those who are interested: http://www.lasalle.edu/~didio/courses/hon462/hon462_assets/sound_of_thunder.htm

Sam: Is my fine paid?
The Library Policeman: Your fine ithn't paid! Your fine will never be paid!
- Stephen King "Four Past Midnight"