And I Finished Listening to Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler (a Revisit with an Audio Version) to Ground Me with Today's 2024

I'm not sure science fiction is the attraction as much as it is great books, storytelling, imagination, and grounding us in the reality where we are today (versus where one might predict we would be today). I recalled that Parable of the Sower was set for 2024  and I wanted to rethink about the story in context of where we are (or could be). 

The humanity described by Butler is not too hard to imagine, especially the cruelty caused by poverty, neglect, corporations, governments, and human nature. To survive, well, it's a dog eat dog, or human eat human world. It's Ramadan and I'm fasting once again with the twins, so I understand the craving for food when one doesn't have access to it. 

I also understand the need for a new vision that comes through "Earth Seed" and our humanity in relation to God. I get the lack of resources, environmental destruction, drug cultures, and the hedonist way of keeping a high going for absolute pleasure. 

But I also get the undying faith that life can be another way, newer communities can be created, and planting seeds for a greater faith is all we can hold onto in a period of barbaric inequities, poverty, and need. The story doesn't make sense, but it makes absolute sense. It is brilliantly written with a sense of history, literary traditions, and spiritual needs. 

To make sense of the cruelty is what science fiction writers do best. It's far fetched, but by how much. What she lays out could be right around the corner if institutions fail us, which they have and will likely do again and again.

We are human after all. 

Still, I like to believe in empathy, even with those who are hyper-empathetic. We all know or have some of that in us, especially if we teach. I'm glad I listened to the book after reading it so many years ago. It was one I chose to drive out-of-the-way with so I could listen more. 

Planting seeds. Preparing for a harsher tomorrow. Keeping faith there's better...there has to be...are my take aways.

That, and there's more work to be done to push against the very systems that abuse the workers and people. That harshness is definitely a reality she nailed. 

Now I'm curious about the series made about the book - I'll be looking into that soon.