Russia has invaded Ukraine and taken the world back 70 years or so to a time where darkness descended across Europe. To a time when countries were shut off to the world under Moscow's sphere of influence and Churchill's "The Sinews of Peace" address to Westminster College (Fulton, Missouri) gave the moniker of this isolation and threat 'the iron curtain'.

Hopefully, this will not be the beginning of another 40 year cold war, of children hiding under desks in nuclear war drills (psst, modern day self build, chipboard desks won't provide as much protection against Nukes as the old fashioned ones!), fear of people we don't know and a world where peoples are shut off from other peoples. This is why I think it will be ok:

You can't stop progress

The world is very different to the late 1940's. Back then, you found out information through new papers and the wireless or the newsreel at the cinema. Terrible times indeed, you go off to watch a film and are instead bombarded with the news! There were few colour photos and no way for you to tell others about your experiences unless a published journalist interviewed you.

Not now!

I read a couple of years ago, I think 2020, that there were more photos taken that year than in the entire course of human history put together! I don't know the veracity of that, but it's certainly a lot. It seems my niece takes half of them too.

There are multiple ways of getting the truth out that can defy government's propogandist reporting. We still have the wireless (kudos to the BBC for extending short wave frequencies to Russia so they can still pick up BBC World News for some unbiased reporting, even more to those brave souls out there reporting it.), newspapers and news programmes, but we also have Insta, Twitter, TikTok, You Tube... that allow ordinary people to get their experiences out there. Even blog writing programs like this! It aint all good...

These people have experienced the benefits that global connectivity, trade and sharing of ideas has produced and I believe they won't want to give it up.

Why is this important?

Information spreads easily now and you can't hold it back. The pen used to be mightier than the sword, now the re-tweet is mightier than both. Threats and intimidation do of course, still hold some sway. Misinformation will also slow things, but eventually, the truth will come out. Those the wish to oppress and whose arguments are based on falsehoods will be found out and hopefully humiliated by teenagers doing a dance on TikTok too.

"The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice."

- Martin Luther King

Things are getting better

It just doesn’t seem like it! But, every year the following improve for millions of people around the world.

• Literacy rates

• Access to clean water

• Connectivity with the wider world

• School leaving world

• Sanitation

All of this gives the world access to a larger number of minds that are able to improve life for everyone else.

Even in the dark times, brought about by dim witted fools, it’s important to remember that the majority are aiming to make the world a better place. Some, a small part of their world, some are aiming to make the whole world better. Either way, this relentless striving will make things better for everyone.