A pale blue dot

[brianblackberry]

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Makes you think about how petty so many of the arguments and fights that we all engage in so frequently on our world really are. All the religions, beliefs, politics, prejudices, misunderstandings, and conflicts are all really so minute when we realize we are dots on a mote of dust floating in a vast galaxy, which itself is just a dot in the

Comments

[deneethe]

Au Contraire mes ami! We are not insignificant! The Creator of the "Pale Blue Dot" took quite an interest in it, so much so that He became very involved on a very personal level. Help "did come from elsewhere to save us from our self" . Carl Sagan did not accept that help, his world (universe) view is exceptionally depressing (despite the pretty pictures). Why would you subscribe to it...you know better!

[brianblackberry]

The Creator of the universe would logically be even greater then the whole of the universe, no? As such, our petty bickering and ways would be even more trivial to a being of such unimaginable power and glory. He may care about us, he may be involved, but Sagan is still right, in comparison to the universe or a Creator of the universe, we are so very tiny and brief, we should make the most of our lives and leave the best, most positive lasting impact each of us can.

[stokerbramwell]

Whereas I think it's natural to have a certain awe of things which are that vast in scope, I've never quite been as sure of the idea that size itself has any bearing on value. It's not like a man who's six foot three is more important than a man who's six foot two, after all.

Don't get me wrong, I'd like to see us get past all of these never-ending arguments and the constant fighting too. But unfortunately, as long as we live in a world where one group of humans (whichever group it might be) can justify taking away the rights of another group of humans, we're kind of obligated to resist that.

[brianblackberry]

as long as we live in a world where one group of humans (whichever group it might be) can justify taking away the rights of another group of humans, we're kind of obligated to resist that

I think that based on what was said in the video, it is our duty to resist that, because our lives are so brief and our world so small, that we cannot allow tyrants and dictators take away our freedom and dignity that we are blessed to have.

[stokerbramwell]

You know, I should have probably actually WATCHED that video before I made the comment.

[brianblackberry]

Whether you believe in Creation or Evolution, everyone has to look at the life on this planet as being pretty darn special.

Well I believe that was his point, that because we are so brief and small in compared to deep time and the universe, that all those wars, empires, and dictators are even more of a waste. That we need to make the most of what we have and the best world possible.

I don't like the idea of "believe in Creation or Evolution" because evolution doesn't preclude a Creator, it is just the theory and story of the diversity of life, not the start of life, let alone the universe.