CHAPTER 15. THE LEGACY OF THE TWINS

April 15, 2013.

“You know, Dave, I love the Boston Marathon... here on Boylston Street, you don't often see so many people running in one direction, like a river, a stream, or a waterfall: before, chaos reigned here... and even now there's no harmony...”

“That's right, Mike... do you see those two twins? Look how they're hurrying—they're in the lead! They want to leave a legacy... I'm looking at them right now... and for some reason, the thought of the twin towers comes to my mind—they also rushed forward in their development so quickly...”

“Today's present makes us remember the past... Take, for example, the events happening now in a European country, you've definitely heard about it, because a truly significant number of lines, and consequently a lot of attention, are devoted to the news about it in every newspaper... the government of that country signed a law to double all existing taxes... civil society is unhappy, but... as always, and as in all times, political technologists came to the aid of the rulers in this case—we should give them their due, today they showed more humanity than usual, when bloody terrorist attacks, bank robberies, or the murder of journalists are deliberately committed: this time they decided to distract the public's attention by broadcasting and organizing a boxing match for the title of absolute world champion—long before the day of the fight, all the news is devoted to this, they interview the boxer, show programs about his preparation... the public never understood when and how this law was signed, but the main thing is that it was signed, and consequently it is all but in effect... But can they, are they able to act differently? Once again, I'm convinced that the riskiest and most dangerous game in our world is politics: a roulette wheel where in one day you can become everything and nothing!”

“Of course! It's a game... but why do people play it? Isn't it because our rulers are too bored to perform the duties prescribed by their offices?”

“And it's also a game in which it's impossible to be a spectator—even when you're silently watching some events, you're still an actor!”

“I don't quite agree with you there—the sunset and sunrise don't wait for anyone, even when you're in power: so it is with natural historical and social processes...”

“But that doesn't cancel out the fact that rulers participate in them: by action or inaction, positively or negatively, as predator or victim... In politics, as in any other sphere of our lives, nothing is accidental: accidents, Dave, are for the uninitiated just the subtle links that our lives are entirely made of... he who is able to see, sees, even if not fully, but still, the reason for what is happening... like this story with the boxing match. However, to understand this world, to be a seeing person in it, knowledge is not enough, for this is a world of feelings: our knowledge consists of our thoughts, and our thoughts, in turn, are always, without the slightest exception, directly influenced by our feelings. By feeling this world, you realize that if something happens in it, it means that it was inevitable.”

“Is that what the rulers of our world think about it, Mike? They don't feel or think—they act: those who need to, let them think and feel, but only later, when everything is done... They hold a weapon in their hands, and consequently the opportunity not only to defend themselves, but, importantly, the opportunity to attack: a weapon in hand is the ability not only to start and end wars, but not to start them at all... What are we compared to them? Pitiful fleas, an instrument of their realization... They are feared, and therefore they are respected—true respect can only be awakened in a person by force! Look at all law enforcement agencies, and then at the laws—people in this world obey only force, like sheep obey a stick: any freedom-loving speeches instantly fly from your consciousness when a heavy blow to the gut 'sobers you up' and returns you to the depths of reality... They are the true power in this world and arguing with them is like trying to convince a waterfall to move in the opposite direction—they can grant you any position in an instant...”

“But they are not able to control our thoughts and feelings...”

“You think so? What brand of car do you want? Where do you want to take your beloved tonight? What dress will she be wearing?”

“And how do they determine my form, if they can control everything? The form in which I come into this world... in the guise of a man or an animal... they cannot correct or change natural processes...”

“They? That's ridiculous... They are capable of turning their defeats into victories, and victories into triumphs! Everything is within their power, and... and even more! Just think about it!.. Daily clothing their vases in black tulips, they tell us that their conscience and actions are pure, like lilies... They can change and transform everything, because they have money—everything: the present, the future, and the past!”

“They have the power to change the past and the future formally, but not factually, of course, unlike the present... A man can change a lot in this world, and rulers even more—he can change his clothes, faith, flesh, much that is material and immaterial, but he can never change his predestination! The future! They cannot change it—they are not the Almighty! When you acknowledge the power and omnipotence of people, you deny the power and omnipotence of God, fate, and the Universe! People... are too pathetic a form—unlike the Almighty, they do not know how to forgive, and in politics—even less so! Many rulers of our world have forgotten that they are people—people of flesh and blood who, sooner or later, like all other people, will become dust: it's not for nothing that I say that there should be mirrors in all government offices so that people don't forget to see their human reflection in them...”