Quick Writes #01

Of Ants and Preemptive Strikes

While sitting alone in a park one day, I noticed a solitary red fire ant crawling up my leg. After a few seconds of pause, I flicked it away and it then landed near my feet where I proceeded to step on it. That was the end of it. Or so I thought.

Over time, my thoughts keep coming back to that dead ant. Especially when I recognise that same scene in books, films, or in history. Was it self-preservation that led me to squash that ant? An instinctive fear of being bitten by it first? After all, being bitten by a red fire ant is painful. How about those few seconds of pause? Was it enough for a conscious deliberation or again, was it instinct? I couldn’t remember nor did I question it much then. It was only an ant!

It’s not a big leap though to move on to higher species — us humans. I don’t even have to imagine it. I only have to look at human wars. Sadly, I live in a bubble. I don’t experience war in my own city. And it’s easy to distract myself from news of war and just leave the monumental decisions to world leaders.

I don’t always reflect on the whys because I already know what I would see if I look inward. It is painful to realise I couldn’t truly contemplate the full horrors of war because I can listen and agree to the many justifications. That not unlike those many generals and leaders, I have already done a preemptive strike once. At my core, I fear of the human that I am and if not for the hope that I have a lifetime ahead to do good to others, I might truly despair.