As we travel into a new age, our actions and decisions have moral consequences that have never had to be faced before. With the invention and social adoption of the motorized vehicle, suddenly every person is endowed with the responsibility to avoid killing people on a daily basis. Some treat this power with great respect, while others disrespect this responsibility and throw caution to the wind. For these people, Dante and his mentor Virgil discover a special place in Hell;

I traveled further unto the base of a great hill

upon which ran souls naked save a black cloth strip

wrapped around their head to blind their eyes.

They ran about in a crazed manner not unlike

a chicken, who having his head cut off by someone

will run about spurting blood deprived of sight

So these souls upon the hill did run in fear

for atop the hill stood a demon laughing at their plight

rolling boulders down the hill to the unaware souls.

A soul would run headlong into a boulder oblivious to the danger

his bones would crunch just as a branch snaps

when a man puts his foot down upon it

Then crushed on the ground the soul’s figure reform

amidst cries of anguish from the sinner’s mouth

sorrowful and apologetic in tone and voice.

When he who guides me noticed my distress

he spoke to me “The souls in life were wrapped up

in love of self, and neglected those around them

Unto the point of texting and driving simultaneously

rather than committing themselves to the task appointed

they put in danger themselves and those around them

Devaluing themselves and others heedlessly

they dove headfirst into danger discounting the risks

and paid the price in life as they do in Hell.”

“Oh Teacher,” I began, “you illuminate the path of wisdom

always in my life, and know my every thought before I speak.

so tell me: in life, were these despised above the rest?”

And he, looking out at those among the hill

and noticing one approaching us said, “Look,

here comes one now. Ask him if you so desire.”

And raising my voice to speech I called out: “Come,

oh man who runs without direction, and tell me,

were you hated in life by those around you for your deeds?”

“Never in life was I reprimanded for my sins for

my crimes went unpunished and unnoticed by

those who said they loved me and looked after me.

Everybody I knew did not regard it as a sin, for it seemed

to us to be—“ At this he was cut off for a boulder

had smashed him before our attentive eyes.