Perhaps the greatest truth about the myth of Icarus is the way it acts as a metaphor for our own mortality. Our time here is limited. It could end at any time. Perhaps just as easily as we came into the world.

Fundamentally then, the feebleness of the human condition knows no bounds despite the advance of technology that allows us to 'fly'. In fact, in some ways the advance of technology has made the human condition even more tenuous. For example, never before in human history until the 20th century have weapons that are capable of annihilating most of the life on planet earth been in the hands of despots, neoconservatives and failed states. Their mere existence is a conspiracy by the insane over the sane. Tremendous resource, effort and time put into developing technology that should never be used.

Equally pernicious is the mistaken confidence that technology engenders in us that makes us think we have power over ourselves, nature and others.

We solve our physical ailments only to develop mental ailments. Our economies and populations grow only to beckon global environmental catastrophe. We have never before given so much choice to people in terms of consumer goods, services, ideologies, beliefs and power - hoping that others will make the 'right' decision.

Therefore no matter how high one soars we will all fall down in the end.

The question is how gracefully we manage this fall.

This blog will be a chronicle of my thoughts on various topics that will hopefully live on long after I'm gone.