It seemed to me that I had
happened upon humanity upon the wane. The ruddy sunset set me thinking
of the sunset of mankind. For the first time I began to realize an odd
consequence of the social effort in which we are at present engaged. And
yet, come to think, it is a logical consequence enough. Strength is the
outcome of need; security sets a premium on feebleness. The work of
ameliorating the conditions of life - the true civilizing process that
makes life more and more secure - had gone steadily on to a climax. One
triumph of a united humanity over Nature had followed another. Things
that are now mere dreams had become projects deliberately put in hand
and carried forward. And the harvest was what I saw!
H. G. Wells: The Time Machine |