CMT - Deep Impact (1998)

According to our scientific knowledge, we reside within an ever expanding universe. That universe dwarfs the numerous planets and the Earth, our home, dwarfs us all. We live on piles of dirt, separated by small pools of water. On that dirt you can see tiny little specs, which are the microscopic creatures that we call the human race.

I've never had to survive a serious earthquake. I've never been in front of a tsunami and felt that chilling fear. Still, through reports and photographs, I'm able to see the scale of natural disasters. Those kinds of events are large enough, to remind us about how small we really are.

From our perspective however, things are measured in feet, meters, grams and pounds. Skyscrapers are impressively tall and roads stretch farther than we can see. All of our structures and machines, give an illusion of permanence that is just that. When a single life or multiple lives are lost, life as we know it continues, but what happens when it does not?

Classic Movie Trailers - Deep Impact (1998)

Imagine that you are on this planet before the end of the dinosaurs, over 60 million years ago. I suppose that the expanses were breathtakingly vast, and that the vegetation and forests were too dense to penetrate. Animals were as tall as a three story home and with a sudden spot of panic, they could devastate the area. What ultimately ruined the landscape though wasn't foot; it was stone.

There was no meaning behind the rock's assault. There was no argument, conflict or cruel sentence that was passed. Even so, the aftereffects were certainly heartless. Dormant volcanoes erupted, the seas rose, the climate became uninhabitable and almost all life perished.

It's something hard to imagine today. Most of our concerns involve self, family and society. We don't give much thought to the possibility, that it could all be washed away. When that moment does come however, the denial won't last long.

Ultimately, fear will override any doubts. Towards the end, I suppose that we will learn a great deal about ourselves personally, while others will reveal themselves in surprising ways. I think that depression, hopelessness and anxiety would bring out the worst in us, but while that turmoil is in effect, we would also see some of our best. "Deep Impact" as a film, focuses on how good we can be.

There is courage and generosity within us. There is love, forgiveness and acceptance. There is also a heroism, that can only be seen when things are dire. When there is a crisis, like the earthquake in India or the tragedy at the Twin Towers, something awakens in us, that we didn't know was asleep and hiding.

I often emphasize humanity's failings. I've pointed at our faults and our shortcomings, with harsher tones than most. To criticize myself however, I haven't said something important. The only thing keeping us from being much better, is the fact that our situation isn't much worse.

We do think more about ourselves and our loved ones and we are dismissive about things, when we shouldn't be. Given that however, we are those selfish creatures in better times. It takes great evil to inspire a greater good. Perhaps in the end it evens out.

Currently, we are not at risk of extinction. There is no great peril looming, that would bring us all together. While we are apart however, we can realize the scope of our problems. There will be tough times for us financially and socially, but whatever happens, just know that it isn't the end of the world.

I can't tell you how much time we have left, but I can say that our time is limited. Life begets death and prosperity leads to ruin; in other words, nothing lasts forever. These structures of steel and stone will rust and crumble. The plant life under the roads will burst through, to reach the sun. Humanity's reign on Earth may be long and it may have a billion years left, but it can never be and could never be everlasting.

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See "Deep Impact" on Netflix!