Mother Earth...

The question of whether we are alone in the universe has two possible answers: either we are or we are not. If you really think about that, either possibility is equally astounding. Let's look at both possibilities:

1 - We are alone. This is it. The universe began/was created then we evolved/were created and that is it. Everything else in the universe is just for us to look at and admire. If that is the case then why are we so self-destructive? Why are we, as a people, so intent on destroying our home as well as each other? I would like to think that if this is it then we would try a little harder to get along with each other and take care of our ecosystem.

2 - We are not alone. The universe is teaming with life and we might even get to meet someone from another world someday. What would they think of what the find? Would you like them to see how we treat each other and how we are treating our planet?

Now, imagine being in a life raft at sea... There are two possibilities. You get rescued or you don't. Again, let's look at each possibility...

1 - You are stuck in the life raft for ever (at least the rest of your life). Let's assume for this little mental exercise that you have plenty of food. Would you take care of your raft? Would you ration your food to try to make it last? I would think that most of us would. We would hope to last long enough to find land or see another ship.

2 - After a few days at sea you get rescued. Knowing this would happen, you have not taken very good care of the raft and you have eaten all your food. What would your rescuers think about you if they found a damaged raft full of candy wrappers and trash? Wouldn't you be a little embarrassed?

Do you see the correlation between the two sets of questions? Why do we treat our 'raft' like we do? Why do we guzzle our 'rations' as if we will get rescued tomorrow? We need to look at the big picture and take responsibility for our actions. Issues such as global warming, using fossil fuels, and over population are causing irreversible damage to our only home.

I originally started out with the intention of talking about my views on the possibility of other life in the universe, but once I started typing it went in a different direction. Aliens made me change it.


MH