What If The Vogons Were Right?

I try to never get too preachy on this blog, Modern Philosophers, but sometimes, the pursuit of Deep Thoughts takes me in that direction.

I am not always pleased with our behavior as a species, and yesterday was one of those days.   In fact, I was so put off that I was inspired me to Tweet the following:

Every once in a while, I think the Vogons had it right and we should just let them put in that highway…

— Austin (@Austin_Hodgens) August 26, 2015

For those of you who are not fans of Douglas Adams (Why aren’t you???) or familiar with The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy, the Vogons were the Aliens who destroyed Earth to pave the way for the construction of an intergalactic highway.

I’m beginning to wonder if the Vogons were right, and our planet should, in fact, be targeted for immediate destruction.

Religion is a touchy subject for me, which might be obvious from my Sundays With Satan Short Story Series.

I was raised by The Nuns to believe in God, and since I didn’t want them to scold me, I played along while they had me in their clutches.

I’m not quite sure what I believe in now (other than my fear of Nuns), but I do still say my prayers every night before I go to bed.

I know what you’re thinking, Modern Philosophers (yes, I’m a mind reader as well apparently!) — How can I pray if I’m not sure I believe in God?

I’m fairly certain there’s someone up there that checks in on us every once in awhile, even if it’s only to change over the tapes in the security camera pointed at Earth.

Most nights, as I wrap up my prayers, I ask whoever is listening to make the world a safer, less crazy place.  Sometimes I go so far as to specifically ask that there be no more senseless shootings or acts of violence.

Clearly, either someone up there isn’t listening to me, or we are just so out of control that we have made the Higher Power regret ever giving us Free Will.

“Don’t Panic” is a key bit of advice from the Hitchhiker books.

I try to heed that advice on a daily basis, but there are days like yesterday when I want to just grab my towel and run for cover.

What is this world coming to, Modern Philosophers?  Is mankind evolving or devolving?  Is technology only making it easier for us to see how mad the world has become?

It seemed like I couldn’t get away from yesterday’s news.  Even though I never turned on the news or picked up a newspaper, there were terrifying video clips and manifestos readily available every place I turned on social media.

Finally, I had to power down and go out onto the porch to read.

No, I didn’t turn to The Hitchhiker’s Guide for comfort, but it would have been an excellent choice had a copy been handy.

So maybe the Vogon Fleet is already on its way, and everything going on in the world will just make it easier for them to carry out their demolition plans.

I prefer my Deep Thoughts to be on the lighter side, but it’s impossible to ignore the fact that we live in confusing, frightening, and unsettling times.

All I know is that when I say my prayers tonight, I’ll once again plead my case for a safer, happier world.

I just hope someone other than the Vogons is listening…