More Visual Bull
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Okay so now you're the top dog; Now what?
by Joseph Perce
People don't study history these days. Actually, people have probably forgotten how to read. If they were to remember what a book was, or what history was, they would probably remember all of the great and famous empires throughout history. Remember Alexander the Great and Macedonia? How about Rome? The Greeks? Persia under King Darius and Xerxes? How about France under Napoleon, or Britain - You know, the "Sun Never Sets On the British Empire", right?
What do they all have in common? They were born, they rose to prominence and world dominance, and they declined. Nothing lasts forever; all things are impermanent. So now, you are the top dog; you're on top of the world! Enjoying the view from the top? Do you honestly think it will last forever?
There is a legacy that all of these empires have left behind; some that affect us to this day. What legacy will this current top dog leave behind? What will we be remembered for? Will it be for being a generous, compassionate people? Or will people hundreds of years from now group us with the likes of Napoleon, Alexander, etc. - or worst.
So you are on top; you're the biggest and the baddest - Ah, but who's quietly preparing in the wings for THEIR upcoming performance? While you boast and prance on the stage, showing off your might and strength - who watches your every move, learns from your mistake and prepares. Perhaps China?
50 years from now - Will you still be the top dog? Will you still be the one on top? Or are will you be all but forgotten; another "Great" Britain, struggling with its delusions of grandeur, unable to accept the fact that it no longer is a world power anymore?
One thing is certain - Empires come and go. There are trees alive today in Northern California that have stood and lived through the rise and fall of several empires! What makes you think you'll be top dog forever? Have you thought about that? Have you thought about curtailing your arrogance, undoing your ignorance - to learn more about the world around you?
You may think so, but the world doesn't revolve around you; it only seems that way on television. But what will you do when your performance is over, and you receive either a standing ovation, or a muted silence from the audience - and then it is time for the next player to come to the stage; one bigger, badder than you were?
Great Britain is till there, after all - They're just not so, well, "Great" anymore.
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