Imagine: It’s Sunday evening. You’re a science geek. At 9pm you arm yourself with a steaming mug of coffee and curl up in front of the telly in time to see Professor Brian Cox on “Wonders of the Universe.” Why? What is it about learning the secrets of something so big you need never seriously concern yourself with it that grips you?
This week, Mr. Universe extended the tale of Gravity: the very thing that shapes and governs our universe; the Ghost in the Machine. From fighter jets to black holes, the high-cheeked host successfully packed a ton of superficial physics into an hour, as with every other week.
Indeed, it is captivating. One becomes lost in wonder, in awe, in questions. . .but, again, why?! What is the point in knowing so much about things we simply cannot change, and the majority of which does not affect our daily lives?
There are, of course, a multitude of answers - the thrilling CGI galactic scenarios; the ingenious relation to ordinary people; the highly stylised escapism from daily life; the burning need to know as much about the grand scheme of things as possible. . .
Whichever of these answers one may place oneself under, there is a clear, definitive element in each: you are interested! If you weren’t, you wouldn’t watch (unless there is some other convoluted reason which, for purposes of this passage, we shall ignore the possibility of). In fact, Professor Cox himself has stated that he simply thinks “people are interested.” And indeed, some of us are.
So there we have it: occassionally one may indulge in the enthralling exploration of extra-terrestrial excavation, then descend back into “real life,” a life inside society, politics, economy, and various other superstructures of humanity.
However, it is my personal perspective on the matter, that skewes the above notion.
I consider myself to be a reasonably intelligent and fair-minded chap who examines things as objectively as possible (most of the time), and is able to overcome most troubles of life through reasoned thinking. However, amongst other things, I am regularly disturbed and upset by the superstructures I have been born into. They cause me to feel lost, bewildered, and depressed. Fortunately, though, there is a range of potential temporary escapism routes provided for a creative-minded individual such as myself - the media. Furthermore, a little strum on the ukulele and a verse or two of something, and I can be right as rain.
What this solution does not cater for, however, is something I have carried since birth, a silent concern that many carry: the fear of death. It is this inescapable fate that cannot be cured - only soothed. That said, many find peace of mind in the arts or other hobbies and interests. I, however, overcome the fear of my consciousness ending in learning about the universe.
By concerning myself with the things that are vastly more mature and bigger than I am, I am immediately calmed. Simply being a part of the most incredibly complex, powerful, rich structure in existence gives me strength to live each day in an almost-totally-peaceful-type state. For many, considering the universe implies their personal meaninglessness. For me, it is the greatest meaning one can have, and in accepting it, you become immortal.
To use words similar to those of the good professor, every atom in my body came from the same place as every other atom in the universe, and ultimately, they are all part of the same thing.
Herein, I believe, lies the true, perhaps sub-conscious answer as to why some people are so interested in the universe. We are each a tiny manifested piece of it, and thus have the right to know and the right to want to know.
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