Focus

It amazes me when so much public discourse rages on over topics, although important in their own right, pale in comparison with larger issues clearly facing the human race. To wit: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine; Russia’s threat to broaden the military action to other nations; vague nuclear threats from Putin; and so much more, just from the Ukraine/Russia debacle. Another huge issue is existential, too, that of Earth’s planetary health to support humanity in the long term.

Both issues deserve our full attention. All other issues, although important, are subsidiary to the two big ones. Why, then, do we spend so much time and energy on the other topics?

Distraction comes to mind. Also, scalability of the issues, that is, what impact will my efforts have on military actions far away from home, and how can I impact the ecological health of Mother Earth? Both issues are so enormous we can’t get our heads around them. Or know what to do that would be practical and impactful.

I get that, but here is how I get my head around the big topics: if we do nothing, we cease to exist. That is what is meant by ‘existential issue.’ Our existence depends on solving these issues.

All the other issues taken together do not equal even one of the top two issues. Yes, they define quality of life on the planet, but that assumes we have a planet that can support human existence.

I think we need to focus on the two largest issues. There are plenty of supporting issues we can dive into and they need our efforts. The rest of our human struggles can be attended to in normal course. Not forgotten. Not stored away on a shelf somewhere. Justice is not storable. Nor kindness. Or decency. Even doing one’s duty as called upon to do, is not something to put on a shelf.

Focusing on larger issues does not mean we get to ignore the other problems. Those deserve our support and energy as well. The important thing is to realize they are subsidiary to existence itself. World peace and ecological balance are those existential topics.

Know this. Do something about them. The rest is our duty to engage daily.

March 29, 2022