Seventh Generation -- What Would We Tell Them?

Wikipedia describes “seven generation sustainability” as: an ecological concept that urges the current generation of humans to live sustainably and work for the benefit of the seventh generation into the future. It originated with the Iroquois - Great Law of the Iroquois - which holds appropriate to think seven generations ahead (about 140 years into the future) and decide whether the decisions they make today would benefit their children seven generations into the future.

Who knows what natural disasters could befall the world by the end of 140 years. Who knows what manmade disasters will occur by then. Who knows what freedoms we’ll have left, if any. What about food? Drinkable water? Breathable air? Shelter? Who knows if there will be an America? Polar bears? Ice caps? How many extinctions by then? Any non-GMO foods left in the world? Any honeybees left alive? How many superbugs have killed how many people?

If we all decided we were responsible for the seventh generation—and had to face them—what would we be able to say? How sorry we were that we let species after species die? That we made our oceans a plastic-filled garbage dump? That we used up every fossil fuel we could get our hands on? That we let corporations modify our food so that nothing natural is left to eat? That our water is filled with fluoride and chemicals and all sorts of medication?

When our descendants ask why there are wars over water, why there are radiation filled desolate cities after WWIII, why the governments of the world (or the government of the whole world) dictates every facet of their lives, under constant surveillance with no rights whatsoever, what would we say? Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, nowhere that is free.

Oops. Sorry, we were busy watching mindless TV, eating McDonald’s, and reading People magazine. Oops, we contributed to an online forum but never moved a finger to change the world. Oops, we allowed our governments to be dictated by corporations, allowed our governments to “take care of us” but in return gave up every last freedom. Oops, we let the rainforest be burnt to the ground. Oops, we let genocide and slavery continue. Oops, we let them put up cameras everywhere and drones overhead.

We were busy arguing about whose “god” was the real god. Whose political party and politician was “right.” Whose McMansion was the most impressive, whose SUV was the coolest, whose wardrobe was the most stylish. March Madness and Super Bowls were important. So was reality TV. And something called The Kardashians.

All those weed killers ran into the ground water and into our children and grandchildren’s bodies. But that’s okay. Our lawns looked great.

Yes, landfills overflowed with mercury-laden light bulbs, tons of plastic crap and our throwaways. That’s okay, we had the latest and greatest phones, computers, tablets and video games. It was fun while it lasted.

Yes, you are our blood relatives. But, it’s not as if you were our very own kids and grandbabies. You are just our distant relatives, seven generations away. Hell, truth be told, we had to dress our dogs in Halloween costumes, throw Super Bowl parties, and speculate about zombies, vampires and other important stuff. We had ladders to climb. We had porn to download. We had church doings to attend.

Sorry, there was no time to think about you, the generations to come. No time to be ecologically minded. No time to support important causes with money and action. No time to question authority, question the governments, question the corporations, medical experts, school systems, bankers. Not really.

When I was young, I wanted to be a revolutionary, to change the world. What I did was let Fear creep in, kept myself small, afraid, and quiet. Got busy with school, career, debt. Never left time to take positive (and peaceful) action. Never left time to do what is intrinsically right. Survived. Let the creative parts of me wither. Let the compassionate parts of me stay hidden. Let the awakened parts of me pretend to be sleeping—to fit in, to conform.

I worry about what life will be like for my sons when they are older, and for their children if they have any. Can’t imagine what life will be like 140 years from now.

I had to rant. Who am I ranting at? Me. Do you see yourself here too?

reply to post by Galadriel


What can we tell them? That as we became victims so did they?

Not arguing with anything you said, because I agree 100%!

The fact that you are aware of the fraud and you can share your knowledge with your loved ones and friends is unfortunately all you or I can do.................

Very profound statements OP and I appreciate your honesty and reminder to all of us!

Could we explain the mountains of unsustainable debt left them so that people unwilling to work could have free cell phones and $200 shoes?

reply to post by DarthMuerte


You don't see the connection??????

Think about it........

this is what those georgia guidestones is all about.

reply to post by tinhattribunal


I'm not sure what you mean? I thought the guidestones were about population control and some sinister sounding stuff?