Have you ever wondered about life in the context of the larger universe? I sometimes do. On a clear night, while watching the stars, I cannot help thinking about my place on earth and then earth's place in the solar system, and then how the solar system is a speck in the MW galaxy, and then how our galaxy is a sliver in the universe filled with dark matter that is expanding around a core, and then....I stop, I can't visualize any more. Is the universe held in a container? What lies outside the container? Is there a physical explanation at all?
Else is it all fake - is life a mathematical model of probabilities, or is it a figment of someone's imagination? Like "Sophie's World" - am I just part of somebody else's dream? Else am I character in a script controlled by a playwright? Am I living an imaginary life in a virtual world with illusions of choice? Else, does the traditional religious view where there is heaven above, hell below and earth in between hold? How does one explain chance/probability/luck?
And then I ask the fundamental question - what is the point of thinking about all this? Does it change anything? Does it dilute my daily struggles in any way? Does any of this fall under my sphere of control? If not, then why bother about this at all? Then it strikes me. Probably the whole point of this is to teach the "Lesson of the Universe". We exist in a multi-leveled universe. There are different spheres of existence. Your circle of influence extends to your universe. Shut up, accept it and live in it. Period.
When you are cast into the sea, staying afloat in the water is tough enough. While you are at it, you may choose to enjoy the swim or wail in despair as you sink. The most pointless thing would be to ponder about the red bulb on the Eiffel Tower, or the validity of the Big Bang Theory.
Douglas Adams', "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" has a wonderful segment where two white mice run an algorithm on a super-computer that cranks up a zillion calculations through a million years to come up with the answer for the meaning of life, the universe, and everything. At the scheduled moment, amidst great fanfare and media coverage, the supercomputer's screen flickers and the answer pops up - "42" - that is the meaning of life. Two digits forming one numeral, what you make of it is up to you. It beautifully captures the absurdity of this quest for a higher meaning - scientific, spiritual or otherwise. What is the point of thinking about after life, before life, life in between, etc. when you have no control over them. What is the point of mulling about things you don't know about, when you have enough on your plate screaming for attention.
Live in the moment - seize the day - that's the "Lesson of the Universe" - joi de vivre - cheers!*
DISCLAIMER: The author doesn't subscribe to anything mentioned in this column. He remains to be as lonely, forlorn, and miserable as ever.
