The obsession with power has completely transformed the life of man and dangerously stunted his concern for beauty and grandeur. We have achieved plenty, but lost quality; we have easy access to pleasure, we forget the meaning of joy. But what is more serious is the fact that man’s worship of power has resurrected the demon of power.…When man looks only at that which is useful, he eventually becomes useless to himself.
--Rabbi Heschel
He has insightfully described part of our current dilemma. Humans are tending to run roughshod over each other and our planet. There is greediness of wanting, wanting, wanting, of acquiring, acquiring, acquiring. There is no time for awe and wonder. There is no place for quiet contemplation.
We hear politicians hurling ugly names, exaggerations, even outright lies to try to gain more power. We hear clergy disparaging and attacking other understandings, even shunning or attacking those who have a differing viewpoint. We see crazed gunmen shooting to kill because they are maybe a bit unstable, but also because of the atmosphere of hyperbole. We see countries or terrorist groups trying to annihilate other groups.
Sure there are many good people doing good works. But too many are asleep, which allows the ruffians to run wild.
Are we becoming a useless species? Maybe even a blight? Do we have the courage and wisdom to pull back from the edge?