In search of drifting inspiration, my friend posed to me this rhetorical question: "when did we stop asking why?" Before we dive straight into the phenomenon, it is paramount that we question whether humanity has truly halted its pursuit of curiosity and discoveries.
As a child, you must have been a source of irritation in your unforgiving quest for knowledge. We know that plants are green, but why? So you know they have these pigments known as chlorophyll, but why only plants? Photosynthesis you say? But why can't plants simply live off respiration like all other living creatures? In all its simplicity, there is only one way of killing your incessant questioning and that is to fight fire with fire. Truly, the only other rhetoric more powerful than your insatiable thirst for understanding is this: Why can't you just accept it and shut up?
Peculiar no? Nonetheless intriguing how we can end the trail of "why"s with a simple "why" in return. And it is without doubt that our world, amidst the ever technologically-driven progression, has arrived at a standstill in terms of the maturity of thought. Mostly, we leave the thinking and inquisition to the relevant authorities, be it scientists or engineers, while we as the tiny specks of dust attempt to manage the multi-faceted demands of life these days. Nobody has time to think about why things happen when we are constantly assailed by a myriad of demands and rapid information dissemination. On this technological highway, we are en-route a path for motion-sickness. We accept willingly that computers are getting faster and the iPhones get longer and deceivingly smoother. And nobody ever bothers to mouth a single three-letter word: Why?
No really, why? Why have we stopped asking then? It is perhaps more pertinent that we uncover the root cause of this phenomenon in place of questioning when. But you know, if I were to try to fit in with the rest of society, the post would end right here. We would all know of this new phenomenon and inside we ponder for a second or two: why? And then we move on. 'Why' has really become more of a rhetoric as used by your Mom to cease all trains of thought. But as you probably know by now, I am far from a normal being and I certainly do not care less about the unpleasant thoughts you (you know who you are, ostensibly) are currently entertaining. So again, why?
What goes around comes around and even the inquisitive nature of the word 'why' has to be put to the test when our mental capacity is starting to stagnate. Perhaps, because we have grown too comfortable with consistency. Enclosed within the safe boundaries of our own country, we have grown accustomed to waking up to peace and tranquility. The fact that Armageddon and warfare is proliferating and thrown many parts of the way into a state of disarray weighs us down no more than the undying need to know why. We live and let live, each day a life to its own, and we go to bed each night satisfied with this equlibrium. There is no need to know why, just as long as we are pleased.
But being pleased and satisfied is a long draw away from happiness. I am not suggesting that simply asking why will encourage an influx of euphoria (albeit that is potentially possible), I am saying that stagnating is never healthy, even if the current system appears be an embodiment of a Utopia. The moment we rest on our laurels, we are tempting the onset of failure and unprecedented destruction. And when that day finally dawns on us, we can only hope to remember to ask why? Even then, it's not too late.
So you see, this isn't so much of a conundrum as it is a ticking time bomb. Unless we can all wake the hell up and stir up the undying curiosity within us, we are just going to disappear from the face of the Earth without knowing why. Maybe for the simpletons, this could very well be a more viable option, but you--as more highly intelligent creatures of this planet--should....
What?
I know what you are thinking...
Why did I end my sentence like that?
Good, my job is done.
