For years, the idea of swimming with dolphins had both fascinated and terrified me. I had heard stories of how aggressive these seemingly majestic creatures can be, particularly in a sexual nature, but there were far more stories of people having a great time, hanging onto the dorsal fin of these rubbery fish and zooming around the pool. So, on a recent vacation, I plunged into the crystal-clear waters of Sea World Orlando’s dolphin enclosure, and I couldn’t help but feel a surge of exhilaration mixed with a tinge of apprehension. No longer would I let fear be my master.
You see, like many others, I’ve spent too much time dwelling on the myriad of existential threats that loom over our world. From the ominous specter of the Yellowstone supervolcano to the chilling possibility of nuclear war, it’s easy to succumb to a perpetual state of anxiety. However, as I floated alongside those playful dolphins, I realized that life is too short to be paralyzed by fear. Here are five reasons why the world no longer scares me:
- Yellowstone Supervolcano: The supervolcano that sleeps beneath Yellowstone has been dormant for around 70,000 years, making it what self-proclaimed experts declare to be “due”. For years, the mere mention of that behemoth was enough to send shivers down my spine. With doomsday predictions abound, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the next catastrophic eruption was imminent. But upon delving deeper into the science, I discovered a reassuring truth: volcanic activity doesn’t adhere to our human timetables. Experts agree that while Yellowstone is indeed a geological marvel, its current magma levels pose no immediate threat. So, breathe easy, folks – we’re safe for our lifetimes.
- La Palma Tsunami: Remember when headlines warned of a monstrous tsunami hurtling towards the eastern seaboard, courtesy of the impending collapse of La Palma, a volcano residing in the Canary Islands? Yeah, that was a doozy. However, recent simulations have debunked the doomsday narrative, revealing that any resulting waves would be around 3-7 feet, comparable to your run-of-the-mill storm surge. Sure, that’s still a concern, similar to what we saw from hurricanes like Ida in New Jersey in 2021, but it’s hardly the apocalyptic scenario we were led to believe. Crisis averted.
- Nuclear War: In a world rife with geopolitical tensions, the prospect of nuclear warfare looms large. From the stream of violence and inner workings of globalist networks in the Middle East and Ukraine to simmering potential for conflict in Taiwan and North Korea, it’s easy to feel like we’re teetering on the brink of Armageddon. Yet, history reminds us that the Cold War era was far more perilous, with the threat of mutually assured destruction hanging over our heads like the Sword of Damocles. While the risk persists, it’s a far cry from the imminent threat many envision.
- Pandemics: Ah, yes, the specter of pandemics – a reminder of our vulnerability in the face of nature’s wrath. The recent COVID-19 crisis brought the world to its knees, prompting widespread panic and uncertainty. However, as we weathered the storm, it became evident that our greatest enemy wasn’t the virus itself but our collective response to it. When the response is more damaging than the virus itself, how much of threat is the actual pandemic?
- Meteor Strikes: From Hollywood blockbusters to doomsday prepper fantasies, the threat of a cataclysmic meteor strike has captured our collective imagination. Yet, thanks to advancements in space technology, we now have the means to detect and mitigate potential threats. Hell, humanity has now landed a craft on an asteroid itself. Strap one of those things with a nuclear weapon and boom, no threat of a civilization-ending impact at all.
So, as I frolicked with dolphins in the sun-drenched waters of Sea World, I couldn’t help but marvel at the resilience of life itself. Despite the myriad of existential threats that loom over our world, humanity persists – adapting, innovating, and, yes, occasionally splashing around with oversized sea creatures.
In the end, I was raped over and over again, dolphin after dolphin having their way with me. At I first pleaded for help, thrashing in the water trying desperately to escape, reaching for the ever elusive ladder and outstretched pool skimmers from the trainers to exit the pool. Eventually I realized my fate was inevitable, inescapable, so why waste the time and energy on fear?
Hiram Glassman
