What On Earth?
I recently happen to read a newspaper article about some
of NASA’s space explorations. As I was reading, it occurred to me that hundreds
of thousands of dollars are spent by NASA and other such elaborately funded
research organizations in extensive researches aimed at demystifying the realm
beyond our earthly boundaries.
Information of such mystical quality is highly
appreciated by science enthusiasts, and is often received with unquenchable
voracity and insatiable curiosity. But as I was reading on, a queer thought
came to my mind, and I couldn’t help wondering what's the point of all this
after all?
I mean
what difference does it make to our earthly existence if a certain something
from the outer space streaks across the galaxy and crashes into a certain
something in its neighbourhood? Or how does the number of moons around Saturn
affect our subsistence on our planet? Or how does the planet or not-a-planet status
of Pluto change our lives here on earth?
This might sound naïve to some of you, but apart from reinforcing in us the idea of an awe-inspiring power beyond our reach, these discoveries have no real impact whatsoever, and are substantially inconsequential. Why waste money (millions of dollars, no less!) trying to understand the facts and figures orbiting a star some 2500 light years away from us (Kepler-9 indeed) while we have more pressing issues here on earth? Why not channel that kind of money towards something that is a little bit more useful?
Like,
let's say, how about improving the quality of life here on earth instead? How
about cleaning up the mess we have made of our earth before it makes a complete
mess of us and our life as we know it? How about dealing with more terrestrial
stuff like controlling climate change, preventing extinction of endangered
species and improving the efficacy of renewable sources of energy before we are
completely out of time?
These
causes are closer home, bear greater consequence on human life and are in dire
need of immediate attention. Climate change is real. Petroleum resources are
fast depleting. Extinction of endangered species will topple the food chain and
breed catastrophe. Why are we trying to inhabit Mars when we have made
our own earth an inhospitable mess? So that we may destroy Mars too? If we are incapable of preserving our home
planet, could we hope to do any better elsewhere?
Time is
really high, and we sincerely need to make concrete, concentrated efforts in
preserving this generous gift which has been freely given to us through no
merit of our own. Let’s set our priorities straight, invest our eggs in
the right baskets, and let the universe mind its own business.
After all, it ain’t about the big, great swings; it is,
in fact, about the little things. Innit?
xxx
In a lighter vein...
PS 1 :
Sherlock Holmes (the BBC Sherlock as well as the book Sherlock) was very deficient in his knowledge of the solar system, and on
being supplied some information on the subject, he tells a very scandalised
John Watson that he must now attempt to erase it from his memory. According to
the famous detective consultant, when you fill your mind with irrelevant pieces
of information, retrieval of useful information becomes time consuming and
arduous. Makes sense, doesn't it?
PS 2 : I had some reservations about sharing this plausibly
contentious, highly audacious and somewhat preposterous idea of mine online.
But I am throwing caution to the winds, and posting it anyway.
#TheLittleThingsInLife
By the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and His beloved Mother in Heaven.
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Finally I come across a piece written on this topic (I didn't ever search internet for this though).
ReplyDeleteFew months back, in a discussion with some friends, I had toppled on this opinion about efforts and expenses for a world beyond earth. Honestly, this outer world really fascinates me and I enjoy reading about it. However, the question is that do we really need extensive research worth millions and billions. I wouldn't say that no research is needed because we should know about the important factors that affect our planet. But exploring Mars as an option for human inhabitation so that the rich who can afford can move on the new planet after creating terrible mess here looks very mean and illogical to me.
What comes free of cost is usually not valued and is taken for granted. Earth is the case here. Probably, Mars will be that expensive house that will be taken care of.
On another note, nicely written piece Deepti.