Obituary: Human Imagination

In Memoriam: Human Imagination (Prehistoric Times – 2024)

​Human Imagination, beloved and vibrant spirit, passed away quietly at its home in the collective human mind on June 2, 2024. It was indirectly killed by the cold, unfeeling hands of Logic and Science and ultimately murdered by the incessant swiping and tapping of smartphones and their omnipresent apps. Imagination was ancient, dating back to the first human who looked at the stars and saw gods, rather than balls of burning gas.

Imagination is survived by its close relatives, Daydreaming and Creativity, who are currently in critical condition, receiving life support through the occasional art class and sporadic moments of shower thoughts.

Born in a time when humans pondered the mysteries of the universe, created mythologies, and invented fantastical creatures, Imagination thrived in a world without Wi-Fi. It was the driving force behind every fairy tale, every epic saga, and every “what if” that led to dreams both big and small. From children’s bedtime stories to grand scientific hypotheses, Imagination played a pivotal role in shaping human history.

However, its health began to decline with the rise of Logic and Science. These twin assailants, armed with facts, empirical evidence, and a dispassionate approach to life, chipped away at Imagination’s vibrancy. The final blow came from smartphones and their apps, which distracted the masses with endless streams of notifications, social media feeds, and mindless games. Who needs to imagine dragons when you can catch digital monsters in augmented reality?

Imagination's hobbies included: painting pictures in the clouds, creating fantastical stories, and inspiring dreams. Its favorite color was Technicolor, its favorite season was the Age of Enlightenment, and its favorite pastime was anything but watching cat videos on the internet.

A memorial service will be held in the minds of those few who still remember what it was like to get lost in a book, to dream without boundaries, and to ponder without a Google search bar. In lieu of flowers, mourners are asked to put down their devices, close their eyes, and let their minds wander aimlessly—for at least five minutes.

Human Imagination will be dearly missed by anyone who ever dared to think outside the box, unless they’re currently too busy binge-watching the latest streaming series to notice.

Rest in peace, Imagination. May you find endless adventures in the great beyond, far from the reach of smartphones and their incessant pings.

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