Mad, mad world

This is probably going to be a recurring theme. I'm one of those people who constantly marvels at the world - whether it's the latest developments in science and technology, or current affairs, or human stories. It’s the reason I’m studying engineering.

A man was shot dead today by US air marshals in Miami, Florida. He had suggested to some sort of 'officials' that he was carrying a bomb in his on board baggage, was asked to leave the plane, left then apparently acted aggressively, reached towards his backpack and then was shot. It's not clear exactly what happened yet. What is clear, however, is that he was not carrying any explosives. Apparently, the man was mentally ill.

5 years ago, this sort of thing was unheard of. But now there's a major news story breaking every couple of weeks or so. It started with 9/11, then the war in Afghanistan, and Iraq, the earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, shootings, bombings, threats, diseases, deaths. The rate of change in our world is accelerating. It’s a pretty scary time to be alive.