NEXT LIVE EVENT!

I wrote a pledge to the world and cosmos.

I recognize my place within the interconnected web of existence,
And my duty to respect all life.
I pledge to act with kindness, reason, and a sense of shared destiny,
To leave our world better than I found it.
May my choices honor the generations to come and the cosmos that cradles us.

Full song on my bandlab

The notion of a world modeled on American ideals had been debated for centuries. Those in favor whispered promises of liberty, boundless prosperity, and the chance for every individual to carve their own path. Those hesitant painted grim scenarios of unchecked ambition, the worship of the almighty dollar, and a gaping divide between the haves and the have-nots.

Yet, the lure of freedom was undeniable, especially in nations stifled under the boots of tyrants, and in communities where opportunity was a birthright, not a promise. It ignited a slow burn of hope - the dream of a global society built on a shared desire to live life unimpeded, without the ever-present blight of war and bloodshed.

The seeds of change lay in technology. Advancements in communication shattered barriers. Citizens of war-torn countries could share visceral accounts with the world, bypassing propaganda. The rise of artificial intelligence brought unprecedented efficiency, gradually freeing up minds from mundane tasks and granting them the precious resource of time. Time to ponder existence, time to create, time to connect with others on a deeper level.

Spirituality, long dormant in many, began to stir. People found solace in a mix of old faiths and new philosophies. The focus shifted from external gods to the divinity residing within each person. This fostered empathy and an understanding that harming others was, ultimately, harming oneself. Slowly, conflict and crime began to lessen.

Yet, not all hearts warmed to the idea of unity. There remained a faction - let's call them the 'Control Freaks' - who were terrified by the dismantling of hierarchies. Power, for them, was the highest currency, and the idea of a world where their grip on it evaporated was unacceptable. It became clear that no amount of dialogue would appease them.

And so, the solution came - unexpected and daring.

Through technological marvels barely comprehensible to the average mind, the Control Freaks were provided with a way out. The ability to warp spacetime was theirs - to craft their own pocket galaxies far, far away. They could construct planets to their liking and populate them with beings designed to serve their every whim. They would be gods in their own little universes. In essence, they'd win, but on their own terms.

However, there was a catch.

Before being granted this cosmic severance package, they had a task. These power-hungry individuals had to, by force of necessity, collaborate with the rest of the world. They had to contribute their skills, intellect, and resources to create a golden age on Earth - a testament to human achievement. This era would ensure a solid foundation for our unity, and provide ample time for society to develop safeguards against future control-grabbers. It would be a final act of service, a karmic repayment for their destructive tendencies.

Only once the Earth thrived as never before would they receive their cosmic ticket to depart. It was a bizarre pact, one borne out of necessity, but it worked.

The Control Freaks, for the first time, felt truly challenged. Their schemes were redirected. Their need to manipulate found an outlet in engineering marvels and solving global problems. It was the ultimate redirection of dangerous energy.

And the world? The world bloomed. Nations that had been locked in conflict lowered their weapons, seeing possibility instead of threat. Resources poured into education, healthcare, and sustainability. Art, music, and philosophy soared to new heights. The human spirit, for so long weighed down, began to express its true potential.

The day came when the Control Freaks departed, a mix of bitterness and triumph swirling in their eyes. And the world watched them go with a measure of relief, and yes, a touch of gratitude. Their last act had been a strange, unintentional gift.

The Earth continued its upward trajectory, bound together not by dogma or force, but by the powerful choice for unity, born out of shared experience, and a hard-fought appreciation for the preciousness of a peaceful, thriving world.
Written by chad E. P