By BarryOn

Occasionally one notices the cry being raised on social media “why am I seeing so many black-pilled comments”. I have never encountered such a claim in real life, but perhaps the dynamics of real dialogue versus the trifling dribble that entertains so many are just that different. Real life tends towards more honesty and realism, when authentic conversations occur at least.

 

Every time I hear someone complaining about “doomer talk” I find myself questioning the understanding of metaphysics by the complainer. It is inarguably true that not all problems have a human solution; this is particularly true of problems created by humans – problems related to the baser parts of human nature. Most of the problems in our world are an interrelated mesh of overlapping issues; wicked problems. Wicked problems have no simple solution, and very often no real (human) solution at all.

 

Understanding what I just said requires a realist’s view of both human nature and the very nature of the universe, of the fallen nature of our world. Denying what I just said, as in believing that every problem has a potential human solution is the definition of humanistic progressivism. It is that sort of thinking that is ultimately at the root of the complex issues we face - not the cause of but a definite enabling factor.

 

I think if we were to consider an analogy, let’s assume we are on a small island in the Pacific, the highest elevation of this small island is say ten feet above sea level and the island is about 200 meters wide. As we are relaxing on the beach we get a notification that a tsunami is headed for the island. We notice the water receding and then a large wave building in the distance. It would be realistic to turn to those in our party and say, “well, this is it”. Some may scream at us that we have given up, that we are accepting doom. Others on the beach may run, fruitlessly, in panic, but a realist might take the moments as the wave builds to do a few practical things. We might say a small prayer, we might take the hand of those we love and finally, we might marvel at the sheer terrifying beauty of the scene before us.

 

That is an extreme example. The very existence of the world is likely* not at stake in all this. If we are experiencing a transformation, something on the level of the fall of the Roman Empire, life will go on. People will still marry, make babies, work, love, laugh and cry. Human nature is complex, and as bad as we can be to ourselves and others we are still the image bearers of our Creator. Resilience is one of our most enduring traits, a trait that wanes heavily in easy and decadent times but rises to the occasion in hard times. No matter what comes, no matter how hard life ever gets humans doing the things we were created to do find a way and the will to do those things. Not all problems are solvable by man, but there is always something to be done.

 

Those that look around at our current world and place their hope in a political solution or perhaps believe if we just pull on this string or that one that we may be able to right the ship are naive fools. In the past I have made impassioned arguments laying out the full nature of what we face. On one side we have an entire (and nearing the majority) that has abandoned the natural human inclination toward the self and replaced it with a devotion to the community. There are but a few examples in history where this has occurred and all of those ended poorly.  For many, the fear of being labeled outside of the “norm” is perceived as a greater threat to them individually than the actions of the normative power brokers. For those in a shrinking minority solutions seem to revolve around reactionary string pulling and hearo-seeking. None of this is helpful, most of it adds to the problem.

 

The problem truly is a complex and wicked one. Nothing we face merely materialized in the last months or years. Much of it follows a long trendline. Our institutions, both governmental and private have failed. It is not doomer talk to recognize and acknowledge that what is, is; to acknowledge reality. There are things to be done, there always are, but determining the proper things begins and ends with a proper and valid assessment of the total situation. There are not many among us that want to accept that, particularly not many that spend their time talking endlessly on social media.

 

I am not inclined to make big arguments for the case concerning the complexity of our problems. We are far enough into this transition period that reasonable people of average intelligence and common sense ought to sense it. But I will argue that dismissing talk of reality as mere doomer speak is tragically flawed and perhaps demonstrates a profound deficiency of understanding in those that are opposed to it. Black pill reality is not a prescription for inaction and callous, nihilistic acceptance of one’s fate. It is a call to seek realistic and practical actions that matter to the individual and those the individual loves.

 

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