Titanic
By Wilson Smillie, July 2015
It’s gone down in history as the sinking of the unsinkable ship, and with the benefit of 103 years of analysis, proves that technology can’t match humans for stupidity.
It’s a wonder that homo sapiens has infested the planet to the level it has when pure logic states we should have killed ourselves off long ago.
Greece … yes this is another musing about Greece ... yesterday voted solidly ‘No’. It’s no surprise but the result is meaningless. As was the official referendum question.
Captain Smith and his officers on the Titanic at least understood their responsibilities, in the narrow terms of reference they'd signed up for, even if today, we'd judge them as irresponsible. Sailing full steam into an area known to contain icebergs … in darkness … without any navigational aids other than a pair of sharp eyes is madness.
Smith was influenced in his decision making by the White Star Line owner, J Bruce Ismay, who wanted the kudos of the fastest crossing of the Atlantic. None of these 'senior managers’ considered the welfare of their passengers in their decision making. The big picture, as we'd call it today, was all about them, their position and status. The passengers ceased to be of import after they'd paid the price, and boy, did they pay the price.
My point is Greece is a ship and it has a Captain and officers. Today, all of the well-heeled first-class souls have helicoptered off, leaving the third-class and some brave second-class to their fate. Their Captain has asked them a simple question: should we stop the voyage or turn back: no or yes?
(Yes, you read the question right!)
He’s not pointed out that they're holed below the waterline and their engines have given up. He’s not said that the next part of the trip will be in lifeboats, using oars, and that the nearest rescue is steaming away from them.
Human tragedy follows human stupidity. Even before the vote on Sunday there was talk, outside Greece, of Greece requiring humanitarian aid.
'Text FETA to 123456 now to donate £3 and feed a Grecian for a week.’
WTF!
Tsipras is in denial and the ship is sinking, but don't worry, he'll take responsibility and will remain stoically at his post as his country transforms into a wreck stuck at the bottom of the Med.
The price of this Greek tragedy will be paid in human misery and like all such things, will be pronounced as avoidable by the future. The actions of all the actors will be picked over but they'll have to go back in time very, very far to find the root of it.
