Lighthouseng

WASTED GENERATION - When Hope is Lost

I am in my late Forties; I was born in the 70s into a good nation.

I started primary school under the free education policy of Prof. Ambrose Alli, the then Bendel state governor, of UPN. There was even a school feeding program then, not the audio school feeding we have today and the monumental corruption attached.

Since birth, we have hoped for a better country but Nigeria has progressively become worse. In the last four decades, across civilian and military rule, we have progressively taken many steps backward as a nation.

We are loke cast away at sea. Too young to be youths and too young to be leaders. We are in limbo torn between a nation we loved but never loved us in return and the chances we let to leave this promising but bereaved landscape. Ours is a tale of broken promises and broken hope, one cycle after the other.

I am appalled at where we stand as a nation but what ails me most is where we are headed. I believe in the theory of multiple outcomes but if we keep heading where we are headed, we will get to doomsday soon enough.

The economy has tanked, being propped up by debt. There is a spirit of greed and avarice is let loose over the land. We have evolved a culture of mercantile philistinism, self-aggrandizement, and ostentatious accumulation and display of wealth, whatever the source and at whatever cost to others.

Life is no longer sacred. We are a people who have lost our direction, values, morals, ethics, and ourselves. Nigeria is a nation in which anything goes, and the end justifies the means. So, the worst of us can be elevated to rule over the rest of us depending on the depth of their pocket and how much of it they are willing to throw around to bulldoze their way into power.

The middle class has effectively been wiped out in Nigeria, and while the people get poorer and poorer, our politicians, their lackeys, and the tenderpreneurs are feeding fat on our commonwealth.

The death knell of a nation is sounding, but the leaders are frolicking, wining, and dining with their side chics while the destiny of over 200 million people hangs on the precipice of disaster.

Many years ago, I stopped praying for Nigeria. I saw that the prayers were not doing her any good. I did not cease to pray so I kept praying for Nigerians hoping that they can do their blessed nation the justice it deserves (Every city was built by someone...)

I now think that Nigeria is beyond redemption, at least not in my lifetime. If you look at the present administration and those hanging on the wings ready to pounce on power next, you will know that the night is going to be long. Draw up a list of the 20 likely people to succeed the present president and you will see that it is going to be a long night.

Even if a violent revolution were to shake things up or the military takeover (because democracy will not as long as INEC and the present system of elections persist), there will be no new Nigeria in my lifetime.

I have not written about Nigeria in a long time. It is tiring and depressing. And it makes no difference to the people or the government. They are set in their ways and not even the mightiest pen cannot sway their unthinking hearts.

Immigration is a world-wide phenomenon but Nigeria are braving the wild, the deserts, the high seas and even death to far flung places, many where they are clearly not welcome. They are not emigrating, they are escaping the cauldron called a nation, a pretend nation.

I have joined protests before in the hope that some things will change, but not anymore. We have crossed the Rubicon. The leaders are so entrenched in their ways, and their enablers, security forces, civilians, media, religious and traditional institutions, and all others have taken sides with the very cause of their pitiable, inhuman existence that is void of conscience and dignity just to get a morsel of bread.

Four decades of hoping. Hopes dashed, hope forlorn, hope gone. I give up.
I have lost hope in a better nation in my lifetime.
I am a victim of Nigeria (In the words of Dele Farotimi).
The inmates have taken over the asylum. Nigeria is a vast crime scene and our leaders and the criminals and the jailers.

Do I want my kids to have their hopes, purpose, and future dashed and truncated by this same system I have been a victim of, no I don't, even if that is the last thing I do.

When hope is lost, there is nothing left.
No hope. No faith. No fate. No future.

One of the greatest epiphanies you will get in life is to come to the realization
that the greatest helping hands you will ever get is at the end of your own arms, that the person you have been waiting for is you, and that the greatest treasure you will ever find in life is within you.

The Handwriting on the Wall

LAWS OF HUMAN STUPIDITY

Cipolla's Five Basic Laws of Human Stupidity" were formulated by the Italian economist Carlo M. Cipolla.
Here they are:

The First Basic Law:
"Always and inevitably everyone underestimates the number of stupid individuals in circulation." This law highlights the tendency of people to overlook the prevalence of stupidity in society, leading to surprise or disbelief when encountering it.

The Second Basic Law:
"The probability that a certain person (will) be stupid is independent of any other characteristic of that person." In other words, stupidity is not bound by factors such as intelligence, education, social status, or any other personal attribute. Anyone, regardless of their background or abilities, can exhibit stupidity.

The Third Basic Law:
"A stupid person is a person who causes losses to another person or to a group of persons while himself deriving no gain and even possibly incurring losses." This law describes the defining characteristic of stupidity: the tendency to cause harm or loss to oneself or others without gaining any benefit.

The Fourth Basic Law:
"Non-stupid people always underestimate the damaging power of stupid individuals. In particular, non-stupid people constantly forget that at all times and places and under any circumstances to deal and/or associate with stupid people always turns out to be a costly mistake." This law emphasizes the underestimation of the harm that stupid individuals can inflict, as well as the tendency for non-stupid individuals to overlook the risks associated with interacting with them.

The Fifth Basic Law:
"A stupid person is the most dangerous type of person." This law asserts that stupidity poses a greater threat to society than malevolence, as stupid individuals can cause harm unintentionally and without regard for the consequences.

These laws provide a framework for understanding and recognizing stupidity in human behavior, as well as its potential impact on individuals and society.

I was studying this law in relation to Nigeria and its leadership. My thoughts - The politicians and their cronies are not stupid, but their enablers, its a different kettle of stinking fish.

Chaos Theory: Embracing Disorder as the Gateway to Harmony

In the realm of science and philosophy, chaos theory emerges as a captivating paradigm that challenges conventional notions of order and predictability. At its core, chaos theory posits that seemingly random and unpredictable systems can exhibit underlying patterns and structure, giving rise to a deeper understanding of complexity and interconnectedness in the universe.

Central to chaos theory is the concept of chaos itself—a state of apparent disorder and unpredictability. However, contrary to its negative connotations, chaos is not merely a force of entropy and confusion. Instead, chaos serves as a necessary precursor to the emergence of order, peace, and tranquility.

In nature, chaos manifests in various phenomena, from turbulent weather patterns to the erratic motion of celestial bodies. Yet, within this apparent chaos lies hidden order and self-organization. Take, for example, the intricate patterns of a snowflake or the rhythmic beating of a heart—both stemming from underlying processes governed by deterministic chaos.

Moreover, chaos theory highlights the phenomenon of "sensitive dependence on initial conditions," commonly known as the butterfly effect. This principle suggests that small changes in initial conditions can lead to vastly different outcomes over time—a notion epitomized by the metaphorical flapping of a butterfly's wings potentially triggering a hurricane halfway around the world. Thus, chaos underscores the interconnectedness of all things, emphasizing the delicate balance between order and chaos in shaping the course of events.

Furthermore, chaos theory challenges the linear, cause-and-effect narratives that dominate our understanding of the world. Instead of seeking to control or eliminate chaos, chaos theory encourages us to embrace uncertainty and complexity—to recognize chaos as an inherent and essential aspect of existence.

In human society, chaos often precedes periods of significant transformation and renewal. Historical revolutions, cultural movements, and personal awakenings frequently arise from moments of upheaval and disruption. By navigating through chaos with resilience and adaptability, individuals and societies alike can harness its creative potential to forge new paths and catalyze positive change.

Ultimately, chaos theory offers a profound insight into the nature of reality, inviting us to reframe our relationship with chaos. Rather than fearing disorder and uncertainty, we can view chaos as a catalyst for growth, innovation, and evolution. By embracing chaos as a necessary precursor to order, peace, and tranquility, we can cultivate a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness and beauty of the universe.

Generated by Chat GPT

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