Space Travel Purpose?

[9-10ths_Penguin]

I'm sorry for not making my point more clear, I am not against space travel or science in any way in fact I use a lot of scientific principles in my religion, but what concerns me about humans is the arrogant attitude they think they can own everything they see.

If you haven't seen the movie Avatar please check it out because I think it addresses my concerns with great symmetry.

In the year 2154 the earth has depleted most of its natural energy resources and found a wonderful energy source referred jokingly by Aero Space Engineers as unobtainium.

This unobtainium resource is rightfully guarded by the Navi Tribe that viewed this resource as a sacred object which is part of the life force of the moon they inhabit. The only thing the humans seen from unobtanium was a fuel source, but it was a sacred element that gave life to the moon the Navi Tribe was from.

In my personal opinion I believe we should be humble space travelers and not dominant conqueror's of our environment, other wise we are going to make the same mistakes our ancestors made by destroying any habitat and resources we come into contact with.

Most indigenous cultures have a sacred bond with the planet and adhere to the framework of maintaining sustainability by being in harmony with the sacred balance needed between humans and nature.

Dominating imperialistic cultures seem to follow the same pattern of reducing a planet's sacredness by thinking of it as a resource to exploit for their own use without regards to the consequences of their actions.

If our main objective is to venture out to space to reach out to the sacred cosmos to learn from its teachings to become better people then sign me up for that wonderful ride of discovery.

If our objective is to dominate and exploit the resources we find, we are doomed and haven't learned one thing from our past!

The final point I would like to make before I depart is that we haven't even addressed the ethical issues we may encounter as our technology increases. What are we going to do if we encounter a primitive alien life as we boldly lay claim to a planet we landed on? Are we going to wipe them out so we can establish a colony? Are we going to have a prime directive like Star Trek to honor all life we may come into contact with and not interfere with their culture? Although I have very Shamanistic beliefs that everything is sacred I hope it is shown I can see a very secular and practical view to space travel, I am just wondering though: what is our purpose for traveling in space?

I hate to break it to you, but Avatar wasn't actually about other worlds in the distant future. The story is an allegory for Earth right now and in recent history.

Most science fiction is actually a commentary on issues that were relevant in the time when it was written.

 

[Twilight Hue]

I come from an old religion that has trouble understanding why humans would want to go to our Moon, Mars, The Solar System or travel via interstellar Space? The reason this confuses me are the ethics and philosophical concerns of traveling and possibly colonizing these Heavenly Celestial objects for our own use?

There are some people who view the Earth, Our Moon, and the entire Cosmos as Sacred objects that deserve respect, to be in Awe of their presence, and hopefully to inspire us to open our eyes and be better people by finally understanding the need for connection to our entire Universe we reside in, but sadly whenever I hear of space travel I hear of the moon not as a Sacred object, but as a commodity, to be exploited for it's natural resources, that can be used as a launching pad to venture out to other celestial objects to exploit their natural resources as well.

When I think of human space travel I think of the destructive nature of the locust, and how they destroy a region by over consumption and once that area is destroyed, they travel to another region to deplete that resource as well. I hope that is not the purpose of our space travel to other areas as well. I am in Awe and humbled by the vastness of our Universe and how we are such a small and insignificant dot compared to the Cosmos, I sincerely hope that when we explore Her Sacredness, we find our Humanity and need for connection to the Universe and to each other as well.

It might present an inflated view. Givin the sheer vastness of space and the infestimal distances where light even goes at a snail's pace, I doubt even a million Earth's full of locust like human's could even create a slight dent in the composition of the universe.

We could however, in agreement, eat ourselves completely out of house and home givin enough time.

 

[Demonslayer]

Here is one thing space travel would be useful for:

LOL

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

In space, no one can hear you scream...

 

[ShadowFire]

I hate to break it to you, but Avatar wasn't actually about other worlds in the distant future. The story is an allegory for Earth right now and in recent history.

Most science fiction is actually a commentary on issues that were relevant in the time when it was written.

Most science fiction films are based on old western frontier themes or social issues such as right fully portraying lieutenant Uhura as an intelligent African woman who's translated Swahili name means Freedom! This was an important aspect to show the 60's culture to show thier generation of their time that all people regardless of race or gender should be treated as equals.

The new generations series tackled all sorts of social issue in their scientific themes from issues of abortion when an alien commented that the blind crew member Geordie La Forge would not have been allowed to be born on their planet because of his sensory genetic defect, to issues of the commander Data to decide if he was a self sufficient artificial life form or an advanced machine that was property of his programmer.

I understand the references some science fiction movies have in regards to the culture of our time, I just have concerns how blind and oblivious we are to the sacredness of the forces of nature that both Darth Vader and Yoda see in the cosmos and beyond to the infinity of our inner being! I hope our existence was never about being able to travel from point A to Point B but what lies between, beyond, and part of the locations we happen to occupy between our existence.

I wonder would the Universe care if its resources were exploited? Probably not unless it has a consciousnesses, but what really pains me is that most of the people are not in awe and humbled by this incredible and vast Universe we are a part of!

The point of the movie I was hoping to relate to you is the importance of seeing that the Avatar's moon was sacred to them, our Earth is sacred to us, you and I are sacred creations. If we ever venture out to space I hope we never forget how sacred everything truly is and that our Cosmos is not just a natural resource to exploit.

I would like to leave you with a favorite quote from Q

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=star+trek+q+quotes&view=detailv2&&id=9B03697E89EF19446A777471C1DFD834E4D5EDC7&selectedIndex=0&ccid=xPoZkGA/&simid=608053824130909343&thid=OIP.Mc4fa1990603f3ca285a6ec5aa0c2015bo0&ajaxhist=0

 

[Ben Dhyan]

Part of my religion involves the scientific understanding of the natural forces that are around us. If you take into consideration that you, and I, the Earth, the Moon and the entire Universe at one time fit inside a tiny insignificant dot I sincerely hope you can see the connection we have with one another and how sacred all the elements and life forces of the universe truly are regardless of how small or insignificant they may seem.

Where did the 'tiny insignificant dot' come from?

 

[Ben Dhyan]

I hate to break it to you, but Avatar wasn't actually about other worlds in the distant future. The story is an allegory for Earth right now and in recent history.

Most science fiction is actually a commentary on issues that were relevant in the time when it was written.

While there is an allegorical interpretation to the theme of the movie, there is also some pure science fiction.....the actual medical technology wrt creating of avatars, the space technology, etc.. and the spiritual/metaphysical speculation...

 

[ShadowFire]

Where did the 'tiny insignificant dot' come from?

That is a very good question Ben d, I believe when we find out that answer we will be closer to finding the key to the Universe and the meaning of our life. In the mean time though hopefully I can give you a clue about the reality of the insignificant dot you are asking about. You see our perception of space, time, and reality is really blurred in our primitive state of being. Did you know that insignificant dot that supposedly expanded to our current size over 13 billion years ago still exist and we are still inside that dot? This is the correlation between the 2nd, 3rd and 4th dimensional reality we have trouble understanding. All time is relevant which makes it irrelevant, we are everywhere and nowhere within the spectrum of reality. We are simultaneously contained in that micro dot and the macro universe as well which ties in with the Theory of everything. That insignificant dot is much more complex and beautiful than what the eye can see, hopefully when one opens their eyes they can see the connection!

 

[Neo Deist]

Some humans are explorers. They are the ones that look beyond the horizon and have the courage to take a blind leap. This goes back to the dawn of mankind. People were nomadic and moved to survive, claim land for themselves, or escape hostility. Later on, explorers started using ships and sailing the waters. In modern times, children start exploring further and further away from home via bicycles, and later on cars as teenagers. The next frontier for exploration is obviously space...or the depths of the sea.

Not to explore could be detrimental to mankind. Perhaps the cure for cancer is on Mars. Maybe the cure for alzheimer's is on an asteroid. There is a strand of E. Coli that is resistant to the toughest antibiotics that we currently possess. What if a cure for all viral/bacterial infections was found on a moon of Jupiter?

 

[Ouroboros]

In space, no one can hear you scream...

Or fart...

 

[Ben Dhyan]

That is a very good question Ben d, I believe when we find out that answer we will be closer to finding the key to the Universe and the meaning of our life. In the mean time though hopefully I can give you a clue about the reality of the insignificant dot you are asking about. You see our perception of space, time, and reality is really blurred in our primitive state of being. Did you know that insignificant dot that supposedly expanded to our current size over 13 billion years ago still exist and we are still inside that dot? This is the correlation between the 2nd, 3rd and 4th dimensional reality we have trouble understanding. All time is relevant which makes it irrelevant, we are everywhere and nowhere within the spectrum of reality. We are simultaneously contained in that micro dot and the macro universe as well which ties in with the Theory of everything. That insignificant dot is much more complex and beautiful than what the eye can see, hopefully when one opens their eyes they can see the connection!

To be honest...I am not a believer in universal existence arising from nothing, or from any form of creation for that matter, because universal existence is eternal and had no beginning... It couldn't be any other way due to logical reasoning... The only things that have a beginning, or an ending, are the manifested forms of universal existence...ie,..the material forms of the universe....the singularities, galaxies, stars, mortals, bacteria, etc.,....the universe itself though never had a beginning, and can never have an ending..

 

[ShadowFire]

To be honest...I am not a believer in universal existence arising from nothing, or from any form of creation for that matter, because universal existence is eternal and had no beginning... It couldn't be any other way due to logical reasoning... The only things that have a beginning, or an ending, are the manifested forms of universal existence...ie,..the material forms of the universe....the singularities, galaxies, stars, mortals, bacteria, etc.,....the universe itself though never had a beginning, and can never have an ending..

I agree, I believe the universe always existed whether it was a point of singularity or the current state of expansion it is in right now, It was always here in one form or another. I just wish you could see the correlation between the micro world of Quantum Mechanics to the Macro world of physics of our universe. It is the quirky nature of these 2 clashing realities that explains the infinite nature of the Universe we reside in. There is a Wicca saying "We are a Circle, within a Circle, with no beginning, and never ending!" I think that is a beautiful way to explain the infinite nature of the universe and the infinite nature of the Spiritual world that is around us as well. When I referenced the universe in 13.8 billion years, I didn't necessarily mean the creation of the Universe, but the portal that was opened between the micro Universe and the Macro Universe we currently are in some 13.8 billion years ago. My apologies, I really like to mix Religion with Science, but find it so fascinating and inspirational to see reality in this fashion!

 

[Ben Dhyan]

I agree, I believe the universe always existed whether it was a point of singularity or the current state of expansion it is in right now, It was always here in one form or another. I just wish you could see the correlation between the micro world of Quantum Mechanics to the Macro world of physics of our universe. It is the quirky nature of these 2 clashing realities that explains the infinite nature of the Universe we reside in. There is a Wicca saying "We are a Circle, within a Circle, with no beginning, and never ending!" I think that is a beautiful way to explain the infinite nature of the universe and the infinite nature of the Spiritual world that is around us as well. When I referenced the universe in 13.8 billion years, I didn't necessarily mean the creation of the Universe, but the portal that was opened between the micro Universe and the Macro Universe we currently are in some 13.8 billion years ago. My apologies, I really like to mix Religion with Science, but find it so fascinating and inspirational to see reality in this fashion!

I do see the underlying unity of the macro and the micro quantum world...one does not need to wait for contemporary science to reconcile their present differences of scientific understanding to know that. The quantum vacuum is omnipresent and depending on the scientific perspective of the different disciplines, whether it be the particle physics Higgs Field, the Quantum Vacuum, the Zero Point Energy, the Dark Energy of Astronomy, or for that matter the Aether of Metaphysics, or Spirit of Religion, they all are understood to be omnipresent and thus all these concepts are representing the same universal omnipresent underlying unity... It depends on what hat one is wearing as to what label we use to discuss the facets of the omnipresent existence...

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

If humans and other species survive long enough, they may see the Earth become uninhabitable. Colonizing space is one way of ensuring our survival. Hopefully by the time we have the technology for space travel, we will have learned our lesson about not trashing other planets. We might even be able to heal the Earth. Even then, the urge to explore may be too strong to resist.

The Earth will destroy us before we destroy Her.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Our primary purpose for space travel right now is self preservation. Eventually, we will not be able to stay here. For better or worse, due to whatever circumstance, we will eventually have to leave or we will perish as a species.

What are your sources for that?

 

[Ben Dhyan]

The Earth will destroy us before we destroy Her.

I understand where you are coming from, but it may be selective...like those who are judged to be the would be destroyers of Earth may be the ones removed....not mankind in totality...

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Many are opposed to that on religious grounds.

No matter. Environmental disasters and war will thin out the herd. We can do it the easy way or be forced to do it the hard way.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

We are a pest. It's always hard to accept one's own dark side, but I read an article years ago that showed that humans spread and populate Earth in the very same way virus, bacteria, fungus, etc spread. The same equations could be used to show where and how fast we're expected to spread. And, if we stop spreading, we probably will eventually die out. Eating up the limited resources we have and just erase our own existence. So perhaps the only "ethical" reason to spread to other planets is to save the existence of mankind.

Disgusting. If that's true, I'd say we deserve to die out.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

I understand where you are coming from, but it may be selective...like those who are judged to be the would be destroyers of Earth may be the ones removed....not mankind in totality...

That's a nice fantasy.

 

[Ben Dhyan]

That's a nice fantasy.

Who knows?