For aeons mankind believed that Earth was the center of the universe, that the sun, the known planets and a myriad of stars all revolved around us. Our knowledge of how things really are was extremely limited, almost childlike, the apprehension of a mystery, couched in terms of religion.
It was only in the 16th century, thanks to exacting and inquiring minds (like those of Copernicus and Galilei), that it became accepted fact that the Earth and other known planets actually orbit the sun. The sun then became the de facto center of the universe, putting science in the ascendancy and religion on the back foot for the first time.
Fast-forward four hundred years and we had progressed sufficiently as a species to the point where we could head off into space far enough (18,000 miles to be precise) to be able to view our beautiful planetary home in its entirety. That in itself was a magical moment.
planet earth
Such a perspective, such self-awareness ought to have been knowledge of a transformative kind. What a beautiful world! But satellite images over the last fifty years or so have highlighted the extent to which we are ravaging it.To quote from Paul Kantner's sci-fi song 'Have You Seen The Saucers':"Do you know there are people out thereWho are unhappy with the way that we careFor the Earth Mother...
Star children on the black road to salvationYou've got to care for the needs of your planet...First born atomic generationOpen the door.Don't you know that's what it's for?"I'm not a believer in there being anybody out there keeping an eye on us. In fact the more scientific data that is gathered from our immediate neighbourhood in space, the more likely it seems that we are it, as far as organic life goes, that Earth is of such a composition and at such a specific distance from our star that life was able to develop here, an oasis in space.Of course we also know now thanks to the power of radio-astronomy and computers that the universe is immense, that we are at the edge of one tiny galaxy among millions of such stellar constructs. So the probability of there being other star systems with planets having a similar disposition to our own is quite high. However, it's also a sober fact that they will be so very far away - thousands of light years - as to be out of reach.To all intents and purposes then, it appears we are alone, that this rare earth we call our home is effectively one of a kind. Knowing that, and knowing also we are the most powerful species to emerge, ought to engender in all of us, our businesses and our governments, a mighty sense of responsibility for looking after the place, to properly manage our habitat for the mutual benefit of all, not just the rapacious human race.
giant anteater, deliberately scorched earth
That means listening to nature, applying good science, working with eco-systems and not against them, not being greedy. It seems it has become our garden to cultivate. I would suggest we need to step up to being better curators before it is too late for everyone and everything.Here's the latest dystopia-steeped poem from the imaginarium:
ClayOur whole village processesfollowing the Digman purified in heavy watertools carried by his daughteras tradition demands.
It can only be dug at the full moonrare earth from the holy placeprecious wedges leveredby his spade whilst we intonethe song of coming home.
Digman will grow sick and diesapphires placed upon his eyesand Shapeman too once hehas moulded the numinous clayinto a new likeness
of the Shining One who livesbeyond the stars. We praythis time the statue will appease our God that he maylove his people enough
to remember us, return againcloaked in radiant glory and make all better as beforeif the Tellman's words speaktruth of history and lore.
Though we weary of the struggleand decay this half-life bringsus in our raddled junkyardnevertheless once again tonightwe shape to sing.
Thanks for reading, S ;-)