by Daniel Gauss

I met this guy at the Snowman Cafe in Kathmandu. At first, I thought he was just another local guy popping in for a smoke (people can smoke there) and some chocolate cake, but he told me the following story, and I believe it. He was, in fact, a trickster. Throughout human history, he explained, someone like him comes along and whispers a suggestion to us. We don’t have to take it, but we always do.

Each suggestion is so compelling that we walk through the new door that opens and then the door closes behind us forever. He leaned back in his chair, took another drag on his cigarette, and he told me the dark truth: every crossing had promised so much, and led to some benefits, but also brought us closer to civilizational death.

Some people, of course, urged caution and told us not to cross the next threshold. He joked, “You look like one of those nay-sayers who gets pushed against his will through the door. I always pitied you folks, so you at least have a right to know what happened.” I pass this on to any other nay-sayers.

It is as if we have been guided by death, the ultimate trickster, throughout our history. Death is quite patient and he plays a good game of chess, it looks as if we’re not gonna beat him. Read more »