I believe in the transformative power of scientific knowledge. In the renewal that comes from discovering the world around us. In the breathtaking sense of wonderment and awe which follows the simple act of asking.
Science is something which our society has all too often scorned. Most think that science is meant to stay in the classroom, an area of study far to abstract to have any meaning in our daily lives. The average person is generally hesitant, leaving ‘that sort of thing’ to the quirky, eccentric scientist. Yet society could not be farther from the truth. Science is everywhere. It pervades our very existence, linking us to the past, the future, and everything around us. Scientific thinking is the foundation of our existence. From the moment we are born, we are asking questions, doubting, seeking answers, and looking for new ways to test our preconceived notions. Whether newborn, Newton, or Einstein this inquisitive nature has been one of the most fundamental and defining aspects of what it means to be human. While throughout history the asking of questions has been scorned by religious and political authorities, never has the insurmountable spirit of creativity and curiosity been snuffed out. To ask questions and seek answers is the very wood upon which the fire of the human spirit burns.
The journey of seeking and understanding has, and will continue to, transform not only our understanding of the world around us, but also our society as a whole. Humanity is, and always has been, plagued by jealousy, superstition, vanity and narrow-mindedness. Yet ask anyone in the sciences, and you will soon realize that these petty, vain instincts begin to melt away as one uncovers more and more about the universe in which we live. Along the path of knowledge, slowly but surely, one is forced to shed the yoke of egocentrism and face the ultimate fact that we are all gears in a grand cosmic machine. Each of us, no matter how old or young, is an integral part of the universe in which we live. The atoms and fundamental building blocks of matter which compose everything we see and touch, including ourselves, trace their lineage back to a cosmic origin. As Jill Tarter puts it, “we are, all of us, what happens when a primordial mixture of hydrogen and helium evolves for so long that it begins to ask where it came from.”
Some may say that ignorance is bliss, but I say the opposite. I say that ignorance is bondage--bondage to generations of petty, selfish conflict which may prove too much for our society to handle. I believe in the power which comes from looking at the world through a much more detailed perspective. I believe that, above all, knowledge and curiosity will set you free. I believe that, in order guarantee our survival, we must all strive to indulge our natural curiosity and never be afraid to seek what lies beyond--whether that be beyond the next hill, mountain, ocean, or galaxy. Ultimately, we must live or lives with a careful consciousness of our fellow man, seeking ways in which we can help those around us. It is imperative that we shed our sense of self-entitlement, and realize that we are all part of the same universe. That universe spins slowly and beautifully around us, and no matter who we are, we are all on this journey together. So take a moment to ask a question. Find something that amazes you. Then seek the answer.
