January 21, 2026
Letter to the Editor: the human paradox

Letter to the Editor: the human paradox

DEAR News Of The Area

The paradox of being human [is that] Intelligence asks, “Can we?” and Wisdom asks, “Should we?”

Humans are the only creatures capable of inventing weapons that could end civilisation, and writing poetry about why we shouldn’t destroy ecosystems and grieving the loss. Or of building machines of war, and dreaming of peace.

We are both the architect and the witness.

The danger and the conscience.

Calvin Barlett

Coffs Harbour

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