Our movies and media are filled with images of Armageddon, an event that
                   may or may not happen. Whether we go to world nuclear war, Earth is
                   decimated by a large meteor, or aliens randomly decide to colonize our
                   planet, I'm ready to step up.

                   No, not as a soldier. In fact, as a pacifist. Assuming I survive, I will
                   probably be the post-corporate capitalist equivelant of a bard. So will
                   many writers, musicians, and artists.

                   In the past, bards have been called forward to spread vital news, capture
                   an important battle or peace treaty, or simply to entertain. In Africa, a
                   'griot' is a bard-type that serves to spread information about villages miles
                   away. Bards such as Homer have shaped Western Civilization. Those who
                   propogated oral tradition have done just as much service by preserving
                   culture. Even into the 20th century, bards were necessary. Woodstock
                   helped define an entire counterculture; it was essentially an event,
                   featuring some of the most well known bards of the time.

                   Instead of being just another 20something defending her own generation
                   being judged entirely upon the majority of (brainless) music that is being
                   marketed today, I'm going to make a promise. If ever we are faced with
                   threat, surely the poets and priestesses shall be called out of starvation
                   and neglect. Society will require us, and once again we will feel needed.
                   Walt Whitman bade his time, and so must we.
 

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All writing is copyright its author, 2002.