Fragility and Fickleness of the Value of Human Life
How fragile, fickle, & feeble creatures are we!
Sometimes it takes so little to turn the tides! Few stories in the arena of human existence are as moving and insightful as the sudden changes in status and power. Think about Joe Biden, who is on the verge of becoming politically obsolete after defeating Donald Trump in a fiercely contested race in 2020 securing unprecedented support from the American voters. The inherent fragility and erratic nature of human existence and values are highlighted by this abrupt change. This is a timeless notion that still holds true in the modern world.
Biden's change of fortune- a volte-face- the transformation from a heralded winner to a perceived liability accentuates the ephemeral nature of victory and the unstable power dynamic. He was once seen as the personification of resilience and optimism, a leader- with 47 years of struggle- who many thought could steer the country toward a brighter future. The passionate backing he received was evidence of the principles of equity, advancement, and solidarity. However, these principles, which he fervently upheld, have shown to be just as fleeting as the honors that came with his election to the president.
It took only one TV debate of 90 minutes on CNN, with his opponent Donald J. Trump, in comparison to his whole life and long political career to bring about this complete reversal! The recent incidents involving Biden's campaign and the vacillating loyalties of his followers serve as a sobering reminder of how capricious human emotions can be. George Clooney and other notable Hollywood figures graced an event where Biden's re-election campaign received almost $30 million in contributions. Still, there was no denying the rumors about the issue of ‘Anno Domini’- his advancing age- and the overt indications of his declining cognitive strength. Leaders who used to show silent deference are increasingly publicly expressing their concerns. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, along with political heavyweights Nancy Pelosi and Peter Welch, have indicated that they are open to considering alternative candidates for the Democratic nomination for the 2024 elections to defeat the formidable opponent, former President, Donald J. Trump (who was defeated by Biden in 2020).
As Clooney eloquently put it in his opinion piece for The New York Times, this widespread change of perception is more than just a simple realignment of politics. It is a reflection of the basic instability that exists in interpersonal interactions and social structures. It seems as though the Joe Biden who inspired millions and brought the Democratic Party back to life has wilted and withered, his mettle worn down by time and the constant scrutiny of public life. Clooney's insightful remark that Joe Biden has changed over time and is now a different person than he was resonates as a significant statement on these themes of inevitable change and the unstoppable march of time.
Even Biden's steadfast supporters, increasingly question his ability to serve as president for another term. The conflict between a person's will and the harsh reality of bodily aging is perfectly captured by the contrast between Biden's will to carry on and his colleagues' mounting fears.
Biden's perseverance in defying calls to resign reflects a larger aspect of the human experience: the resistance to unbridled forces of ruthless change. His claim that "God almighty" was the only one who could force him to withdraw from the race is evidence of his unbreakable character as well as his natural reluctance to give up control. But this opposition is a sharp contrast to the measured yet forceful moves made by European officials and the calculated approaches made to Trump's team, all of which were made in anticipation of a possible change in the balance of power in the world.
Biden's predicament is only one thread in the expansive entrelacement of human events, yet it eloquently captures the fragile and fickle nature of human existence and ideals. The unrelenting currents of time and circumstance constantly change our allegiances, beliefs, and perceptions. A sudden and unexpected fall from grace serves as a sobering reminder of our fleeting nature.
The story of Joe Biden is a moving reflection on the whimsical brittleness and fleeting nature of human existence. It forces us to face the ephemeral character of our ideals and the transitory nature of our accomplishments, reminding us all of the (in)significance of humility, fortitude, and a profound understanding of the dynamic nature of the human experience.
“And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts
Into the lean and slipper’d pantaloon,
With spectacles on nose and pouch on side;
His youthful hose, well sav’d, a world too wide
For his shrunk shank; and his big manly voice,
Turning again toward childish treble, pipes
And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all,
That ends this strange eventful history,
Is second childishness and mere oblivion;
Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.”
-“All the World’s a Stage” by William Shakespeare (from As You Like It, spoken by Jaques)
The sole adversary we may have with a Janus head is time itself; a comrade in our youth, a heartless hunter in our latter years. Despite our ability to outsmart transient moments and seize hours, time eventually consumes us all. Knowing this makes surrender not an indication of defeat but rather of a poignant acceptance that is a part and parcel of the very construct of life itself. It sounds strange but it is the ultimate, undeniable, unavoidable, and inevitable reality of existence.