I’ve often suggested that if an ancient sage like Jesus, Buddha, Laozi, Confucius, Aristotle, or other renowned enduring figure, lived today, I doubt he or she would say, “I thought I attained happiness/enlightenment/etc, but now I realize I can do better with an iPhone.”

I suspect they’d say how what they figured out then worked as well today. They’d look at iPhones, social media, flying, and all that and think, “more distraction,” and stick with what worked before, like spending time with family and friends and helping people less fortunate.

Lately, I’ve wondered would Jesus buy a plane ticket and fly somewhere today, or Buddha or any of them? Presumably Jesus could fly or teleport if he’s omnipotent, but let’s imagine he isn’t. Maybe he wasn’t when in human form.

• With the air as polluted as it is and the people and wildlife displaced from their land and water to extract oil for fuel and minerals for the plane, they can only fly by hurting people.
• Flying tears apart communities by taking people away from them.
• About ninety percent of people haven’t flown, so it would divorce them from the experiences of most people, especially the least privileged.
• Flying is uncomfortable.
• Lots of other issues about nationalities, passports, security, and masks.

I conclude they wouldn’t fly today. I’m no scholar of them as individuals so I could be wrong. Either way, I’m curious your thoughts. Does the question provoke thought?

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