Tomorrowland

 

 

"No, this is not about the new George Clooney movie. This is much more interesting..."

When I was a wee lad, my family took a road trip (in our non-air-conditioned car) out west. It was the summer of 1959. Our journey was going to be a three week event with the main attraction being Los Angles. When we got there, were going to visit this four year old amusement part which had opened in sleepy suburb called Anaheim. That brand new park was called Disneyland. It was so new, parts of it were still being constructed while we were there.

Of the four theme parks in Disneyland (Fantasyland, Adventureland, Frontierland and Tomorrowland), Tomorrowland was by far and away my favorite. I think it might have been Walt's favorite also. In that park, Walt could really let his imagination run wild. He could paint his vision of the future - and he could do it in such a way that most visitors could catch and feel his passion. To this day, I still remember it.

Today, I think about the two visions for tomorrow. The global visions which are about as different as night and day. One vision is that of the Islamists. It is a vision of pain, misery, suffering and death. Life is cheap and death is worshiped. It is a return to a time from centuries ago - the dark ages. It is like Dante's Inferno on steroids. There is no betterment of mankind in this future - only weeding out the "infidels" and exterminating those who do not share the Islamist's vision. For most, it will be the worst of times.

The other vision is what most of us have. Hope for tomorrow. This Tomorrowland is one where more and more diseases are eradicated, oceans are explored, the stars are journeyed to, and hunger is term found only in history books. It is a time where machines making machines which will enhance our existence like never before. This Tomorrowland will be a time of renaissance - not only for people but our thinking. For many, this Tomorrowland will be the best of times.

How will these two futures co-exist? They won't. One future will have to go. And that is where the battle will be joined. Which future will prevail? I believe it will be the one which people believe in the strongest. Where there is the most passion. Unfortunately, I believe it is the Islamists who today have the most passion. Many of us don't take them seriously. Don't want to take them seriously. That could be a fatal mistake.

I want our Tomorrowland to prevail. Our Tomorrowland chooses life over death, hope over despair. The old saying remains true today - the future belongs to those who believe in it the most. It just hope that future, that Tomorrowland, is ours.