Zen Pencils by Gavin Aung Than for December 27, 2013
Transcript:
We are going to die. And that makes us the lucky ones. Most people are never going to die because they are never going to be born. The potential people who could have been here in my place but who will in fact never see the light of day outnumber the sand grains of the Sahara. Certainly those unborn ghosts include greater poets than Keats. Scientists greater than Newton. We know this because the set of possible people allowed by our DNA so massively outnumbers the set of actual people. In the teeth of these stupefying odds it is you and I, in our ordinariness....That are here. -Richard Dawkins
celeconecca almost 11 years ago
amazing, ain’t it?
ossiningaling almost 11 years ago
Talk to me about the loss of “great leaders” and potential doctors when the unwanted children, the sick and and the helpless are cared for. Any of those alive today who are rejected by society also could become those things but for the lack of opportunity. So anyone that was not born, that would have come into a world with opportunity, was prevented by those with power to provide it. Talk to them about the few who you think would have made a difference when it is just as likely that those offspring would have squandered their own opportunities on selfish things.
vldazzle almost 11 years ago
Many who have not been born were not meant to be either. I prefer to think about only positive aspects of everything.
Still, for myself, 4 preganancies= 4 living children (some of whom have made great contributions, others more like me ;-)
Jkiss almost 11 years ago
You know, that’s a real nice sentiment. Unfortunately reality isn’t so nice. Let us look at the children born, who are not wanted, for they far outnumber those aborted. They live lives of abuse and neglect and do not understand why. If these children are lucky, they are “rescued” by the system. They then live lives of uncertainty and fear. Some are lucky and land in a good foster home. Most face more abuse and neglect. The system then turns them out at 18 with some money and no hope for a future. Our jails are full of those children. The ones that don’t get rescued either die or grow up angry and aggressive.Before you judge another’s actions, ask yourself…….How many of these born and unwanted children have you volunteered to help? How many have you spent time with or mentored. How many of these millions of unwanted kids have you taken into your home?
topbunk almost 11 years ago
Guys… sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. OK?
nawsa Premium Member almost 11 years ago
Richard Dawkins is a self-described “militant atheist” so I doubt that he is pushing a particular theology. For many of us it is a beautiful world; no judgement.
nawsa Premium Member almost 11 years ago
BronyInk almost 11 years ago
I’m nooot quite sure that’s what he meant.
BronyInk almost 11 years ago
If you were not “there” for your kids you are not “their” papa.You are like my father, just the sperm donor, nothing else.