Imagine if you will a rather different take on ‘standing at the
gates of Heaven’. In this scenario - which is more of an interview - you are
deciding whether to live on Earth as a Human.
Let’s build on the idea. The interviewer – let’s call
him/her ‘The Manager’ is a cross between a travel agent, an overworked corporate
boss and a psychiatrist. You both run through a basic description of the planet, its
geography and features, the locations you might choose – and then more serious
matters are discussed. You have decided to be born in the United Kingdom.
The Manager: You
have chosen quite a tough planet. You may not find it easy to settle down. You’ll
be vulnerable right from the word go if your physical appearance doesn’t meet
certain standards.
You: What
standards?
The Manager: They
make them up as they go along. Then there’s intelligence. You need to be bright, but at times you’d be
wise to hide it if you are.
You: So far so
good, I’ll play along. Any other difficulties?
The Manager: I
would say one of the problems is the frailty of their bodies. They are very
poorly designed. Humans haven’t evolved very well, and they are not good at
looking after themselves. Even when they do, they can be struck down by
physical and mental illnesses which they tackle in all manner of ways, none of
which are particularly effective. It won’t be possible to choose a design, I’m
afraid.
You: I’m well
aware of that.
The Manager:
Explain to me why you think you would be suited to this planet?
You: I’m
passionate about some of its beautiful features and the way in which Humans
interpret them through art, music and other forms of communication.
The Manager: Huh!
If you think your lifetime there will enable you to devote yourself entirely to
philosophical matters, you really haven’t investigated it properly at all! The
odds of you being born into – or, for that matter, working to achieve such a
life are far too long.
A pause ensues.
The Manager: You
may find yourself emotionally ill-equipped to cope. You understand that you may
form attachments to people; that those people may let you down or die. You may
produce children: burdens of
responsibility and emotional ties. Could you handle this?
You: I’m prepared
to try, willing to learn, keen to contribute. Will these qualities be
sufficient?
The Manager (with a sigh):
I think you may be in for a rather rough time. Go ahead, but don’t say I didn’t
warn you. Oh, and try to remember not to take sides.
You: Which side
shouldn’t I take?
The Manager:
Heaven only knows…
 | |
| EARTH... |
