Fate in the Machine...

An interesting topic arises when contemplating the future of the United States, my "humble" country. Many wonder during the last leg of the presidential races, whether their voting will come to count, that is...whether or not their opinion on the next president really matters.

On my optimistic days, I say yes. However, some days, like today, I say no. Sometimes I feel, when there's some "system", some "machine" set in place, like the electoral college, or by extension, our democracy, that maybe I should just let the machine let everything play out. Lay back and watch what would happen without my input, without any interaction on my part.

See what was "meant" to happen.

Sometimes I feel like that about everyday life. America is just an example. I feel that, without me, there is something out there further, that is "meant" to take place, anyway. Without my opinion, my input, my suggestion, ultimately my action, theres something that is set--set down in the machine's schematics, that'll guide it to equilibrium, to whatever is supposed to happen.

In this sense, sometimes I do believe in fate. But not in the classical sense. I don't think there's someone or something guiding every human, every action they take, and every system they build. But there is some deterministic setting, in which the systems we build or the systems that we are a part of, that will use some default path, some "fate" that doesn't rely on you, or me, but the schematics of the system.

But then again--who can trust machinery?

I'll take part in the system...God knows it can't run on its own forever.