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"The world is involved in a monumental resource battle as the irresistible force of an exploding global population smashes into the immovable object of finite resources." -- David McWilliams
From the film Apocalypto:
An old one-armed wise man speaks to his clan around the tribal campfire.
His words, spoken in Mayan, translated to English:
And a man sat alone, drenched deep in sadness.
And all the animals drew near to him and said: We do not like to see you so sad. Ask us for whatever you wish and you shall have it.
The man said, I want to have good sight.
The vulture replied, You shall have mine.
The man said, I want to be strong.
The jaguar said: You shall be strong like me.
Then the man said, I long to know the secrets of the earth.
The serpent replied, I will show them to you.
And so it went with all the animals.
And when the man had all the gifts they could give, he left.
Then the owl said to the other animals: Now the man knows much and is able to do many things, suddenly I am afraid.
The deer said, The man has all that he needs. Now his sadness will stop.
But the owl replied, No. I saw a hole in the man. Deep like a hunger he will never fill. It is what makes him sad and what makes him want. He will go on taking and taking, until one day the World will say:
"I am no more. ...And I have nothing left to give."
And, a more modern twist on the same theme:
Now we take our time … so nonchalant, And spend our nights so bon vivant. We dress our days in silken robes, The money comes, the money goes … We know it's all a passing phase.
We light our lamps for atmosphere, And hang our hopes on chandeliers. We're going wrong, we're gaining weight, We're sleeping long and far too late. And so it's time to change our ways …
Now as we indulge in things refined, We hide our hearts from harder times...
We'll have to change our jaded ways...
So before we end, and then begin We'll drink a toast to how it's been A few more hours to be complete, A few more nights on satin sheets, A few more times that I can say …
I've loved these days.
-- Billy Joel, song lyrics, "I've Loved These Days"
