Summary Of We 'Re Doomed. Now What?'

The article I chose is the Roy Scranton piece titled We’re Doomed. Now What? which was published in the New York Times. In this article, Scranton states that humanity’s greatest strength is the ability to grants itself purpose. However, Scranton also states that humanity is grappling with nihilism and is losing its great ability. I agree with both of these sentiments and believe this article should be published in the Collegian. Humans have shaped the world and reshaped it over the course of centuries. Whenever an obstacle set itself up in the way of humanity’s progress a workaround was developed to keep moving forward. As Scranton states, humanity has managed to set itself up in “some of the most inhospitable environments on Earth, from the deserts of Arabia to the ice fields of the Arctic” (3). Through humanity pushing their sense of purpose to its limit they have managed to not only survive, but thrive in a location that would have been looked on as crazy. This is merely one example of humanity’s great ability to find meaning and push itself beyond what would be thought capable. Unfortunately, despite the power and versatility granting oneself purpose provides, humanity is losing this ability. Over the years the general tone of the world has become much more depressing, the idea that the actions of one does not …show more content…
Throughout the article Scranton utilizes quotes famous writers and philosophers such as: Friedrich Nietzsche, Marilynne Robinson, and E.O. Wilson in order to substantiate his claims that humanity is relentless in its quest for purpose. Scranton further states that mankind “can find a way to make sense of despair, depression, catastrophe, genocide, war, disaster, plagues and even the humiliations of science” (2). No matter what the others or even the world may throw at mankind they will stand tall and continue to look towards the