Hi everyone. Esther’s writing prompt this week is “Element(s)”. I was immediately reminded of the song The Elements by Tom Lehrer.
Tom Lehrer, who passed away this summer at the age of 97, was a comedian and singer, though to be honest like most male comedians, he couldn’t actually sing. Then again, neither can I, but I don’t try. I don’t care whether he could sing or not though, as his song lyrics were brilliant. The Elements isn’t nearly his best song.
I love his songs about current events. Though they were written in the 1960s, some still ring true, in a scary kind of way.
I honestly have been feeling more and more unsafe over the past year or so. I mean, Millennials like me were in our teens when the 9/11 terrorist attacks happened and the world (or rather I should say the West) hasn’t been at peace ever since. I mean, the world’s never been at peace, but in 1989, the West at least thought it had won. Not so. Now with Trump in office in the United States, I wonder who “the West” even are anymore. I, being in Europe, feel more and more like it’s not just Russia and China who might cause the next world war, but Alabama might as well.
I feel more and more scared when I use my mantra that everything will be okay in 2034. I know, I started this thing as a satirical take on the book 2034, which is about the next world war. I realize now that the authors of the book were actually quite serious, but a few years ago, I thought I could turn things around by saying everything will be okay. I don’t mean this to be blasphemous, but I honestly got the idea from the Bible. I mean, I remember when I was (pretending to be) a Christian, I at one point wrote that everything will be okay in 2021 and sort of hoped that Christ would return that year. He didn’t, and as a non-believer I doubt He will in 2034.
Of course, I try to hope that there won’t be a World War III in 2034 or ever. But if there will be, I hope whoever presses the button, will remember Tom Lehrer’s survival hymn.
A Multitude of Musings 
That’s really interesting – great take on the prompt.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
When did CNN start? That’s probably a big reason for making people feel unsafe. Bad things happpened a hundred years ago, we just didn’t know about it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah yes, great point! I feel a tiny bit safer lately since deleting all news apps from my iPhone.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep, understandable. There’s no point worrying about things we can’t affect.
But there again, if enough of us feel the same way about something, maybe we can have an effect? Sometimes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was not familiar with Tom Leher. He was tackling some serious topics with his comedy, but I guess comedians often do.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, true. Thanks for stopping by.
LikeLike
I am with you – such a brilliant writer and satirist – his words do still run true 🙌❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you and you’re spot on.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think whoever the big wigs are who press the button think that they and their near and dear will go deep underground and come up safe and sound. They are deluded.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, true. Either that or they somehow believe God will save just them and those they care about.
LikeLike
Tom Lehrer had a great creative mind and I loved his songs. One of my favorites is the rendition of A Christmas Carol and how it talks about the mass commercialization of the holiday… it is a yearly play off of my Dr Demento Christmas CD. As for the current political situation… I cringed when the Department of Defense was renamed the Department of War this week. It is indeed scary times!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh wow, seriously?! I had no idea. This is indeed scary.
As for the Christmas song, I love it too, particularly with the intro.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, awesome songs, but there is definitely no peace anywhere in the world nowadays, sad to say that world war 3 just might happen!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agree unfortunately.
LikeLike