Saint Greta of Iceberg

"Not only is Greta a specialist on climate change but she's also the go-to-expert on Covid-19"

Some 500 years ago, the Chimu people in what is now Peru ritually killed hundreds of their children in the largest known child sacrifice. The Chimu believed slaughtering the kids appeased the angry Gods.

Down the ages, as pestilence and death stalked the land, our ancestors sought a solution through such killings. At other times distraught people seeking answers would gather around a possessed child to hear the voice of God.

While child sacrifice is rare these days, even in this so-called enlightened era, we still can't help ourselves. Thus we venerate the words of a kid with Asperger's syndrome and OCD, allowing her to lecture us on climate change.

You could argue that Greta Iceberg fulfils a niche for those people seeking answers beyond science.

​You know the sort, those who believe in tarot cards and astrology. It remains a sad reflection of the homo sapien’s finite mind that we seek comfort from such pronouncements.

This week I learned that not only is Greta a specialist on climate change but she's also the go-to-expert on Covid-19. Greta is busy popping up on CNN and in The Guardian (of course) offering her sage advice. 

Greta famously can see carbon dioxide in the air; that's according to her mother. This skill is incredibly useful in the fight against climate change.

The world's scientists, with all their training, need fancy instruments to do the same. Thus it's only appropriate that Greta helps us beat Covid-19. 

At this stage it's unclear whether Greta can see the Covid-19 virus — we can only hope. After all, she's had the disease and survived. Well, when I say she's had it, no tests were done on her.

That's not needed because Greta carried out a self-diagnosis. Thus it's now gospel truth in the media that she had the Covid-19 and defeated it. It's another omen.

Her skills know no bounds. As I write this, she's likely at a secret X-Man school with Professor Charles Xavier coaching her to the next level. Except we know that Greta doesn't need schooling or teachers. She has a gift.

The advocates for Greta proclaim that people with autism are not as influenced by social pressures as the rest of us, which frees their mind to see problems more realistically and find creative solutions.

The syndrome comes with gifts of abstract thinking, which lends itself to talents in science and political theory. Except I've not heard a single innovative solution from Greta. 

She repeats the usual rote messages; plant trees, protect biodiversity and cut carbon emissions.
​
It's all rather entertaining, apart from the fact it's not. Her parents orchestrate all the activities, find sponsors and collect the money. They have the connections that make this profitable.

Around Greta are various interested supporters including business people including a venture capitalist. Are they in it for the sake of the planet or for a profit? Is this really ethical?

Meantime, Greta and her minders have seized upon the lockdowns 25 per cent cut in carbon dioxide emissions as proof of what is possible. In the process, they've blindly ignored the tremendous damage to the economy, people's livelihoods, the old and our mental health. 

None of that matters, because according to Greta and her followers, Covid-19 has given us a sign. The way forward; lockdown, economic ruin and death.

Like old-time medieval zealots, the eco-warriors proclaim Covid-19 is a punishment for our evil ways. Along the way, Greta morphs into a latter-day Joan of Arc. And look how it turned out for poor Joan. 

That the mainstream media provide a platform for Greta and fetishise her every statement is bizarre. Yet, those who a voice of concern about letting a 17-year-old control the narrative are beyond the pale; dismissed as evil old folks who caused the problem in the first place. 

Forgotten in all this, is that Greta is receiving mental health treatment through a system operated and funded by these old folks. 

Somebody called Poppy Noor gets a column in the Guardian to argue that Greta is the perfect choice to speak about Covid-19. Noor asserts that Greta's public profile and standing qualify her.

​I wonder if Noor would elect to have heart surgery done by David Attenborough on the same basis? He's got a high public profile and enjoys public confidence. 

Of course, Noor proclaims anyone critical of Greta is sexist. That's the unthinking default response these days— others include racist, homophobic, transphobic.  

So while leading scientists struggle to comprehend Covid-19, we're expected to draw advice from this high-school dropout of no fixed ability. Please give me strength. 

Unfortunately, the media have no such misgivings. In the end, all Greta could offer was 'listen to the experts'. That's it: no unique insights, no new truth nor direction. Fair enough.