Editor,

I’m doomed. I exercise, watch my diet, follow my doctor’s advice with medications and tests. I carry emergency supplies, buckle my seat belt, I’ve made my will and advanced directives. As an atheist, I don’t pray. I live in peace with respectful religious believers of all varieties.

I know I will die. As much as I can, I’m “prepped” for the great leap into nothingness.

Those of us with descendants, genetic, or adopted, hope they will carry on our values and fulfill dreams we couldn’t, while leaving room for their individuality. Almost all of us strive in our various ways to leave the world a better place than we found it.

Most of us take it for granted that our species will carry on after we are dust or ash or soil. Sometimes humans are disgusting and despicable, but most of us are idealistic and caring.

Just as it took a while for us to (mostly) discard racism and the other 31 flavors of prejudice and evil error that’s corrupted so much of human history, it’s gradually impinging on our global consciousness that not only each of us as individuals, but all of us as a species are mortal. Not some billion years in the dim future when the sun goes nova. Perhaps by the end of the 21st Century. Some label it “global warming”; some tag it the “6th Extinction.”

The time to prevent our species’ extinction grows short. More and more people are realizing our plight, and working in various ways to keep humans from going extinct in the 21st Century. I applaud you for what you are doing. I invite you to attend three meetings to deal with the four D’s of doom — denial, depression, distraction, and delight — from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, May 14 at Freeland Library; from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, June 17 at South Whidbey Fire Station; or from 6:30-8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12 at Bayview Senior Center.

For more information or to ensure you have a space at what may be crowded meetings, email me at stephenkahn@yahoo.com or call me at 730-1467.

STEPHEN KAHN

Langley