Times Of Swaziland: WHAT ON EARTH …

WHAT ON EARTH …
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Chris Morgan on 12/09/2024 09:12:00


Last week I was moaning; this week I’m roaming. No, not the digital version.
We’re back on our feet, so to speak; the kind of activity many adults used to
pursue before they became addicted to either the television or that small
rectangular object that makes anti-social noises when you least expect it to;
and runs out of ‘juice’ when you least want it to.
Let’s start (and finish) with roaming on and around planet Earth. Mr Musk and
Co may choose to go above and beyond, but there’s quite enough on this globe.
Why go outside? Well, it makes sense exploring the eight planets plus the Sun,
altogether forming the Solar System. But then the brain starts spinning, because
the Solar System belongs to a galaxy called the Milky Way, which has 100 billion
stars in it. And, beyond, are millions of other galaxies that complete what is
called the universe.
Astronomers have said there are planets ‘exoplanets’ outside the Solar
System. And the law of averages says there could be other human beings; albeit
perhaps with three arms and four ears. Would we really want to meet them?It’s
understandable of course that mankind is fascinated with what may lie beyond.
The billionaire explorers are the Christopher Columbuses and Vasco de Gamas of
the 21st century. We’ve even progressed since the day the Americans put a man
on the moon. That was a very special event; and an amazing experience for those
astronauts, being able to look across the sky at the Earth; exactly the reverse
of what we see on the night of a full moon. Imagine that. I’ll bet they
thought, ‘How on earth – sorry, moon – are we going to get all the way
back there?’
So, I am happy with the terra firma on which I stand today. We have a planet
with a huge variety of cultures, landscapes, languages, weather conditions and
political regimes. Guess which two countries each have more than one billion
inhabitants – that’s one thousand times the population of Eswatini. You got
it – China and India. That’s mind-blowing. They say one in five people on
this Earth is Chinese. Well, I’m from a family of five so it must be one of
them. It’s either mum or dad, or my older brother Alan. Or it could be my
younger brother Li Wei Wang. But I think it must be Alan (lol).
Joined
There is a strong scientific belief that, until about 200 million years ago, the
continents were joined up; and then they split. Aerial photos tend to confirm
this. And the land is still moving. America shifts 25mm a year away from Europe;
no politics involved! Europe and America are big buddies, confirmed in their
joint membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). One can’t
help wondering whether a Donald Trump victory in the coming United States of
America (USA) presidential elections will cause the USA to back off from its
membership in NATO and withdraw the substantial weapon support for Ukraine in
its fight against Russia.
What is not surprising is that our billionaires are taking us up into space
rather than attempting to dig down the 60 kilometres or so to the centre of the
body of the earth. Probably because there’s nothing there, but an unimaginably
powerful heat that would destroy every man-made implement; and periodically
reminds us through volcanic eruptions.With more than 190 countries on Earth,
each with its own distinct characteristics, it’s not possible to refer to more
than one or two. I do so now in a manner frivolous to lighten your day - praying
that January 2025, will still see Eswatini able to lighten the day, and
especially the night, when its agreement with South Africa expires.I’ve always
been fascinated by Cuba, placed beautifully in the Caribbean, with a lively
recent political history and an education system that wildly outpaced a society
with few employment opportunities. Qualified doctors worked as gardeners. The
language was basic Spanish but with fewer words for luxuries (lol).
Leadership
Go north and you find USA, the country where the future leadership lies with
either an unashamedly deceitful womaniser, or an elegant, but inexperienced lady
who can’t stop guffawing. Certain Far-East leaders must be enjoying an
anticipatory chuckle or three. Go south and east - or since the Earth is round,
you could go west and get there quicker - and you come to Australia, a country
that two centuries ago received all the British convicts for whom the penalty
had stopped short of execution. Living permanently in Australia is boring, said
the late and great humourist Barry Humphries, who likened it to going to a party
and dancing all night with your mother. He didn’t mean it. Australia has
produced superb writers, scientists, musicians and sports stars.
Then it’s hard to avoid England. But, unless your favourite team is there,
don’t spend too much time under the Manchester drizzle. The legendary American
humourist Mark Twain – yes, he who dared to call golf ‘a good walk
spoiled’ – considered the twilight years well spent in Manchester because
‘the transition between Manchester and death would be unnoticeable.’
Both Scotland and Wales also attract somewhat unfair comment. The Scotsman is
alleged to stuff socks in his pyjamas before sending them to the laundry
(gerrit?). The Welsh are known for gangs of rough guys terrorising the
population with their close harmony singing. Perhaps more next week.