Armageddon
My friend Jimmy from the REBT-CBT Yahoogroup is feeling gloomy about current events, and seeing some of the really nasty things going on in the news as heralding the breakdown of modern society. He is hardly the first to make that observation. Here is what I said . . . |
My friend Jimmy from the REBT-CBT Yahoogroup is feeling gloomy current events, and seeing some of the really nasty things going on in the news as heralding the breakdown of modern society. He is hardly the first to make that observation. Here is what I said.
*****
Hi Jimmy, all,
This is strictly personal speculation not really about REBT, per se. Toffler “Future Shock” and other “futurists” began talking about it in the 1960’s and 1970’s. However, I think you are right that the old paradigms and “organizing myths” are breaking down as humanity moves through a scary transition into the next paradigm. Of course it is scary and uncertain because we don’t know what the new paradigm is or what it will be like. There have been similar periods in history, but now the rate of change is increasing exponentially. We don’t even know if we will survive it. The resulting chaos and breakdown during the transition can be brutal and unpleasant. While I don’t agree with Stalin’s cynical understatement that if you want to make an omelet, you have to break a few eggs, it is, however, naive to imagine that the transition between paradigms is going to be anything resembling “Rebecca of Sunny brook Farm.”
There is, however, also a lot of very cool stuff going on that is fun and comforting and hopeful. Refusing to be at least a little bit cheered and encouraged by the positive forces is “Disqualifying the Positive” from Burns’s Ten Cognitive Distortions. It is masochistic and irrational. As the religious science speaker in Hawaii (I forget her name) used to say “It takes courage to be happy in an sad world.”
Practically speaking, that nice flight attendant on the last airplane ride you took had it right: “In the unlikely event of a sudden loss of cabin pressure, oxygen masks will drop down automatically, so be sure to secure your own mask before securing your child’s.” It is only logical, lying on the floor unconscious form lack of oxygen, you are no good to your child or anyone else, including yourself!
That is, chaotic and disturbing events in the world are even more of a reason (certainly not less) to, as Gurdjieff referred to it, “work on the self.”
Be well,
Rex
How useful was this post?
Click on a star to rate it!
Average rating 5 / 5. Vote count: 3
No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.
Originally posted 2015-07-30 07:37:31.
Contact: Rex@REBTinfo.com
- The “Ask Rex” Column - Mon 9 Dec 24
- Video :Albert Ellis’ Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)- Daniel Man of Reason - Mon 9 Dec 24
- Internet addiction? - Sun 8 Dec 24
Tags: armageddon, Enlightenment Now, negative thinking, optimism, pessimism, Pinker, positive thinking
Search this site
Sticky Posts
Regular Columns & Features
Categories
USEFUL LINKS
Amazon Associate Member
Rex Alexander and REBT Info are participants in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
Disclosure
When you buy items using the links on this website, we may get a small commission which keeps me in coffee, which keeps me working, which keeps me providing valuable content for you. Thank you for your continuing support of REBT Info.com. ~Rex
TOS / Terms of Service
Pretty basic stuff: No fussing, no fighting, no cussing, no spamming, no scamming, no blaming, no flaming, no hating, no bating, no trolling, no personal attacks. No pornography (Damn!). The Golden Rule applies. Focus on issues, ideas and principles rather than on personalities and you will fit right in. Please keep your contributions friendly and polite, treat your fellow members and readers with respect and all will be well.
All content and information submitted become the property of REBT Info (REBTinfo.com)
Privacy Policy
PRIVACY POLICY
We at REBT Info value your privacy. Your personal information is secure with us. Secure server software (SSL) encrypts all information you enter before it is sent to us, and all of the customer data we collect is protected against unauthorized access.
We WILL NOT sell, rent, distribute or otherwise share your personal information, including e-mail address, to or with anyone for any reason (except in the extremely rare, unlikely case of demands by duly authorized law enforcement acting strictly in accord with due process).
For more information, please read the long version
Copyright
Copyright © 2012-2024 by Rex Alexander dba REBT Info / http://REBTinfo.com.
All rights reserved. The content of this website or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever
without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.Disclaimer
This website, REBTinfo.com, and others under the REBT Info family are for education, information and entertainment purposes only; are not intended as, nor should be regarded as medical or psychiatric diagnosis, advice or treatment.
By accessing this blog you understand and agree to these conditions, as well as to the other Terms of Service / TOS posted, and which may be updated and amended from time-to-time.
Agreement
By accessing this website blog and related media, you affirm that you have read, understand and agree to our Terms of Service / TOS which may be updated and amended from time-to-time.
This is a public blog
Anything you post may be viewed by the public. Therefore, do not post anything you wish to remain private.