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⬅️ Previous capture (2023-12-28)
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Ukraine swelled with Western Concern and Aid until the flare-up of Palestinian-Israeli discourse came following the 7th of October. Suddenly, with a childish demeanour, the mental focus of the Mighty Western Mental Battleship announced a "hard to port" towards a fresh conflict. The Donbas became the Gaza Strip. Bakhmut became Ashkelon. Новий відлік became #الجزيرة.
Will this happen with Venezuela? Ethiopia? It did not seem to happen to _Artsakh_ now, did it? Is it a mistake to keep attempting to keep up or ahead of 'the next thing'? If just a handful of conflicts flare up, would “the West” lose its steam? Overwhelmed by internal strife, confusion, in-fighting, and apathy?
How can one identify which conflict 'matters'? The one hurting you is my guess. I think, while such distance is maintained for many of us Westerners, being able to keep up with discourse, as broken as its foundation may be, is the only form of civilian preparation I am capable of. Though I am still uncertain if my passions here are to study military or metaphysics - I am uncertain if a librarian is truly useful in a conflict time - I still think there is an application of a chivalrous Reader or Chronicler, even if that is but one skill needed among many.
To be sure, I know that we can rarely fight with Poetry, but I think Poetry still has purpose, even in times of conflict and dismay. Perhaps moreso, even.
To carry the increasing burden of these conflicts, one must learn to be human, or at least how to act humanely. In my theology, I've identified strength in forgiveness - this means shedding the "sheer arrogance of one thinking they are above the fate of the masses" as Etty Hillesum once wrote. To commit to one's authentic role is no easy task, I struggled for years just learning the importance of authenticity at the market price of a handful (or two) of regrets and I doubt I have faced the last of such an invoice.
I must not desire more than my abilities at present: utterly novice. I have learned much, but done little and, at present, I am uncertain of how to change this. I, too, pray for the next best step. Many nights, it is the only prayer for myself I can manage.