The Truth of War

People strive for peace. And there are fools out there who believe that we may achieve peace one day. But my point is this: in times of peace, we lose something that forms the core of our being: the survival instinct. Thus we turn self destructive, whether it be through self gratification through material means or a descent into anarchy.

War is inevitable no matter how you look at it. In fact, we need war.

If not war, we are going to turn into grotesque, drugged up beings.

Spoiler after this sentence. In the alternate universe of 'The Sky Crawlers', two companies on neighbouring continents orchestrate a war in which the 'Kildren' dogfight in the skies. Why would these companies orchestrate such a war? The answer isn't even related to money as you would normally expect. In fact, the war prevents any ordinary wars taking place amongst the population. While there is war, people strive for peace. What they don't know is that the war is fake. Though the 'Kildren' must die nevertheless.

This idea has been bandied about quite a bit in history and literature. It's the idea of substituting organised killing instead of the inevitably chaotic killing of normal people and/or soldiers. Imagine this on a global scale (like in Noir). I cannot deny myself that it would be quite an ideal world.

But in the end, people would tire. History shows that Chaos Theory is virtually correct. There will always be a slump before the the rise. Therefore anyone who believes in an ideal world should never expect it to last for more than a century. If the German Nazis had won the war, I don't believe 21st century Nazism would exist nevertheless. But it is a relief they didn't win the war, if a huge number of people must die for an ideal, then it is not an ideal fighting for. War is the only thing worth losing human lives for, it is the thing that keeps us human and sane.

Spoiler over...

And if you're stuck following the same path throughout your life, then no matter how long you may live, always try to change your destiny. No matter what the consequences.

The Sky Crawlers is a beautiful, awakening film. It is not about the dogfights. It is about the pilots, their life, their non changing world. Don't miss it.