Human Nature

…..”THE SKY IS FALLING!!! THE SKY IS FALLING!!!!!”  And instead of immediately seeking nearby shelter in the interest of their personal safety, everyone reflexively gazed towards the heavens to see whether the crier was in fact telling the truth.  But by then it was too late, of course–Thunderbolts from the sky take split seconds and not hours to arrive at their destination!–and the whole kit-and-caboodle of them were incinerated like roasting marshmallows impaled on long-handled forks before they could find suitable sanctuary.  All except the crier, that is, for her behavior was not impeded by that most basic human impulse–Skepticism!!!–allowing her to dive beneath a firewall and in the process purchase additional time on Earth as a sentient human being, albeit an ineffably lonely one…..