The older generation had greater respect for land than science.

Listen, O children of the future, to the words of Shimon Peres, a man whose wisdom spans both time and the evolution of human civilization: "The older generation had greater respect for land than science. But we live in an age when science, more than soil, has become the provider of growth and abundance. Living just on the land creates loneliness in an age of globality." These words speak to the profound transformation of our world, from a time when the earth was the nurturer of all things, to an era when science has become the dominant force shaping our existence. In the past, our ancestors sought harmony with the land, cultivating soil, and finding sustenance in its embrace. Yet today, science has taken the place of nature, reshaping our lives, our environment, and even our sense of community in ways unimaginable to those who lived before us.

In the ancient world, the land was the source of all life. The farmers of old understood the sacred bond between earth and humanity. They lived by the rhythms of the seasons, sowing seeds, harvesting crops, and understanding the delicate balance of nature. The land provided not only physical sustenance but also spiritual nourishment, offering a deep connection to the natural world. In this world, the land was a living being, respected, cared for, and honored, for it was the foundation of growth and abundance. The wise men of old, like Confucius and Hesiod, spoke of the virtues of respecting the earth, of living in harmony with nature, for in doing so, one could achieve peace and prosperity.

Yet, as the ages have passed and the world has changed, so too has our relationship with the land. The advent of science—that great force of human ingenuity—has replaced the old ways. Through the discoveries of chemistry, biology, and engineering, science has unlocked the secrets of growth and abundance, transforming agriculture, industry, and medicine. Today, the very soil that once nourished us has been replaced by synthetic methods, fertilizers, and machines. The harvests of old, which were once dependent on the cycles of nature, are now driven by human innovation. Science has become the provider of growth, the creator of abundance, and the architect of the modern world.

However, Peres reminds us that in this age of scientific progress and global connection, something profound has been lost. The land, once a source of connection and community, has now become secondary to the power of technology and globality. No longer do we live in small, self-sustaining communities tied to the rhythms of the earth. Instead, we are drawn into an interconnected world where information flows faster than the seasons, and where the cultivation of the land often gives way to the cultivation of knowledge. The bonds that once tied us to the earth now feel increasingly distant, as we are separated from the soil by the invisible threads of global communication and technological advancement.

Consider the story of the American pioneers, who traveled westward to settle the vast lands of the United States. They lived in isolation, dependent upon the land for their very survival. Their lives were marked by toil and connection to the earth. Yet, as time passed and the world grew smaller, the land was no longer the sole source of growth and prosperity. Cities grew larger, and technology began to shape the way people lived. The pioneers, once connected to the soil, found themselves increasingly isolated from the natural world, as they became part of a greater global system that was no longer dependent on the earth alone. The same shift that Peres speaks of happened then—a transition from a life rooted in the land to one governed by the forces of globalization and science.

This shift has not come without its costs. The loneliness that Peres speaks of is a loneliness of spirit, a disconnection from the earth and from the community that once sustained us. In an age where technology connects us across great distances, we find ourselves more isolated than ever before, disconnected from the very sources of life and growth that once brought us together. The land that once bound us to one another now feels distant, as we become increasingly removed from the world that sustained our ancestors. Science has given us growth, but it has also created a kind of emptiness, a gap between humanity and the natural world.

Thus, O children, let the words of Shimon Peres be a lesson in balance. As we continue to move forward in this age of globality, where science has become the dominant force shaping our world, let us not forget the wisdom of the past—the wisdom of those who lived in harmony with the earth. We must learn to blend the gifts of science with the lessons of the land, to find connection in a world that is increasingly disconnected. The soil will always have a place in our hearts, but it is the integration of both the old ways and the new that will create a world of true abundance. Let us live with both science and spirit, remembering that true growth is not just about the land or the technology, but about the way we cultivate our relationships with both.

In your own lives, O children, seek to live in balance. Do not forsake the earth in your pursuit of progress, for the soil still has much to teach you. Let science guide you, but let nature remind you of your roots. Build a world that is connected, not just through technology but through a deeper understanding of the land that sustains us. In doing so, you will ensure that both the growth of the mind and the nourishment of the body can coexist in harmony, creating a future where abundance flows from both the soil and the heart.