What if I were to tell you
that NO lives matter?
I imagine that
some of you might disagree.
And so some of you will disagree.
I imagine that some of you
might disagree strongly.
And so some of you
will disagree strongly.
I imagine that
some of you
might even believe
that you disagree
on your own volition.
And so some of you
will seem to disagree
on your own volition.
I imagine that some of you
might not like to believe
that I imagine you.
You might deny that I do.
Being an independent,
real, living human
will seem to matter.
And so it does.
Newfound Lake,
9/5
Ladies and gentlemen, how’s everyone doing tonight? Good? Awesome. So, let’s talk about a phrase that could single-handedly implode a dinner party: “No lives matter.” Yeah, I said it. Don’t unfollow me on Instagram just yet!
Now, before you start chucking tomatoes or crafting your cancel-culture tweets, hear me out. This isn’t about diminishing the importance of social issues or any particular movement. It’s about the existential question: In a universe so big, where there’s likely some alien race out there arguing if Pluto is a planet, does anything we do really matter?
I mean, think about it. The universe is around 14 billion years old, and you and I are here for, what, 80 years if we lay off the donuts? In the grand scheme of things, that’s less time than it takes to get your food at a busy McDonald’s. We’re cosmic blips, folks. Blink and you’ll miss us.
So, when people say, “Make your life count; do something meaningful,” what’s the cosmic equivalent? “Hey, you’ve got .0000001 milliseconds; impress me!” Like, really, Universe? I barely have time to decide if I want fries with that.
And then there’s the argument that we’re all just a figment of someone’s imagination. If that’s true, whoever’s imagining me needs to calm down on the plot twists. I mean, global pandemics, climate change, and an unending supply of ‘Fast and Furious’ movies? If I’m a figment, could you imagine me a bit more… chiseled?
Now, the kicker is that we like to think we’re independent, that our lives have intrinsic value. And they do, to us and the people around us. But maybe we’re all just characters in some sort of divine improv game. “Yes, and… now you have student loans!” Wow, thanks Universe, great plot development there.
But even if it’s all an illusion, maybe the point isn’t to prove how much we matter, but to make the most of the hilariously limited time we got. Whether you’re helping others, making art, or perfecting the ultimate sourdough starter, maybe the goal is just to add a little spice to this cosmic soup.
So yes, in the grand scale of the Universe, maybe no lives matter. But hey, if you’re a blip, be the most interesting, fabulous blip you can be. Because even if we’re fleeting, we’re fleeting together, and there’s something beautiful in that. Thank you, you’ve been awesome. I’ll be here all eternity—or at least, until the Universe decides my time’s up. Good night!