I find it highly ironic that we lost the greatest inspirational figure and the greatest scientific mind in the world inside of three weeks’ time. Did you realize that Stephen Hawkins passed today, exactly three weeks after Billy Graham?
I’ll bet you didn’t. I did, because these two men were the leaders in two things I value: faith and science. And yes, I think they go together. In fact, I see no reason why so many people see them as diametrically opposed. Why should they be? One doesn’t disprove the other, at least the way I see it. God can do anything He wants, and if we want to use science to find explanations, then why not? It’s interesting. Hawkins said science explains everything without the need for a Creator, but admits that it doesn’t disprove One. I say science explains how the Creator works. Faith will always have mysteries, but some things have been proven by science. Of course we’ll never have all of the answers. That’s the point: there will always be more to discover. And I think that’s good, because humans are supposed to learn and grow. We have so far. I suppose the real question is, will we continue to grow? We’ve made great strides in the past century. Here’s hoping that progress continues.
There are lots of theories. Some say yes, the nature of the universe is infinite expansion, and eventually we’ll break free of Earth and live in space. Others think we’re bound to the Earth, that it’s deteriorating beyond redemption, and the end is near. Still others think we’ll integrate technology with biology, and become another evolution of humanity. I’m a scifi writer and this is my blog, so I’ll speculate myself on what I believe the future holds for humanity. If you’ve read The Earthside Trilogy, then you already know the answer.
I don’t believe the end times are here. In fact, when I take a look around, it seems to me that Earth stands right in the middle of progress and destruction. We’ve made tremendous advances in science and technology that convince me that we can integrate man and machine to “evolve,” so to speak. However, we’re also poised to destroy ourselves with war, nuclear weapons, and increasing instigation by sensationalistic media and a screaming minority. Furthermore, our space program is defunct when it comes to taking man beyond Earth orbit, and we’d basically have to start all over just to get to the moon, never mind those grand visions of Mars and Europa. I’d be surprised to see a manned flight away from Earth before I hit my 70’s, if it even happens in my lifetime. Nobody but the scifi fans care about man exploring the cosmos other than through probes and telescopes anymore.
So our survival depends on evolving right here on Earth, which is overcrowded, overtaxed, and overdamaged from the effects of industrialization. Efforts to address any of these issues are, to date, considered unethical or not practical. So it depends on that integration of technology and biology to reset the balance. Can it be done? Can we overcome complacency and sensationalism? Can we stop screaming about our opinions long enough to face the problems and find solutions? How strong is our will? How determined are we to find balance and survive? How badly do we want to rise to make our full potential a reality? Do we want to be better people, or are we happy the way we are? It’s really in our hands.
And the Lord will guide us down that path but in the end, we decide. Our decisions do matter. We'll survive if we want, and He'll help us. Or we'll destroy ourselves, and He'll bring about the end when it's clear that we're done trying. Free will and all. It's a big thing that determines so much more than we realize, but that's a topic for another blog. Let's say for now that we'll get what we really want. It gives "be careful what you wish for" a bigger meaning, doesn't it?
Unfortunately, I don’t think these answers will come in my lifetime, or in the lifetime of those behind me. It’s going to take longer, because we’re on a huge curve. So I’m not looking for the apocalyptic beast to rise from the oceans tomorrow, but I do believe the decisions that are made now will be a huge determining factor in how long it is until we come to that point. Remember, we’ll see peace before we see the end of it all. My idealistic wishes for the future are actually a step closer to the end of it all, as we know it.
It will be what it will be. I would like to see humanity evolve, and find balance and peace, at least for a time. No, it won’t be permanent. That’s not the nature of this world. Rather, it will be a reprieve from the same old crap we know every day. Will it be for a season, or the final one? Only the Lord knows that.
I’ve wandered along a broad road in this entry, so I’ll sign off now. It’s more stuff to think about. What do you think? Is it faith, or science, or is there room for both? Are we on the path to peace, or destruction, or both? Will we ever leave Earth and live interstellar, or have we ground out NASA and the Space Program for good, and can never catch up? You decide, and feel free to chime in with your view.
That’s all today. Take care, and have a great rest of the week.
Bye!
I’ll bet you didn’t. I did, because these two men were the leaders in two things I value: faith and science. And yes, I think they go together. In fact, I see no reason why so many people see them as diametrically opposed. Why should they be? One doesn’t disprove the other, at least the way I see it. God can do anything He wants, and if we want to use science to find explanations, then why not? It’s interesting. Hawkins said science explains everything without the need for a Creator, but admits that it doesn’t disprove One. I say science explains how the Creator works. Faith will always have mysteries, but some things have been proven by science. Of course we’ll never have all of the answers. That’s the point: there will always be more to discover. And I think that’s good, because humans are supposed to learn and grow. We have so far. I suppose the real question is, will we continue to grow? We’ve made great strides in the past century. Here’s hoping that progress continues.
There are lots of theories. Some say yes, the nature of the universe is infinite expansion, and eventually we’ll break free of Earth and live in space. Others think we’re bound to the Earth, that it’s deteriorating beyond redemption, and the end is near. Still others think we’ll integrate technology with biology, and become another evolution of humanity. I’m a scifi writer and this is my blog, so I’ll speculate myself on what I believe the future holds for humanity. If you’ve read The Earthside Trilogy, then you already know the answer.
I don’t believe the end times are here. In fact, when I take a look around, it seems to me that Earth stands right in the middle of progress and destruction. We’ve made tremendous advances in science and technology that convince me that we can integrate man and machine to “evolve,” so to speak. However, we’re also poised to destroy ourselves with war, nuclear weapons, and increasing instigation by sensationalistic media and a screaming minority. Furthermore, our space program is defunct when it comes to taking man beyond Earth orbit, and we’d basically have to start all over just to get to the moon, never mind those grand visions of Mars and Europa. I’d be surprised to see a manned flight away from Earth before I hit my 70’s, if it even happens in my lifetime. Nobody but the scifi fans care about man exploring the cosmos other than through probes and telescopes anymore.
So our survival depends on evolving right here on Earth, which is overcrowded, overtaxed, and overdamaged from the effects of industrialization. Efforts to address any of these issues are, to date, considered unethical or not practical. So it depends on that integration of technology and biology to reset the balance. Can it be done? Can we overcome complacency and sensationalism? Can we stop screaming about our opinions long enough to face the problems and find solutions? How strong is our will? How determined are we to find balance and survive? How badly do we want to rise to make our full potential a reality? Do we want to be better people, or are we happy the way we are? It’s really in our hands.
And the Lord will guide us down that path but in the end, we decide. Our decisions do matter. We'll survive if we want, and He'll help us. Or we'll destroy ourselves, and He'll bring about the end when it's clear that we're done trying. Free will and all. It's a big thing that determines so much more than we realize, but that's a topic for another blog. Let's say for now that we'll get what we really want. It gives "be careful what you wish for" a bigger meaning, doesn't it?
Unfortunately, I don’t think these answers will come in my lifetime, or in the lifetime of those behind me. It’s going to take longer, because we’re on a huge curve. So I’m not looking for the apocalyptic beast to rise from the oceans tomorrow, but I do believe the decisions that are made now will be a huge determining factor in how long it is until we come to that point. Remember, we’ll see peace before we see the end of it all. My idealistic wishes for the future are actually a step closer to the end of it all, as we know it.
It will be what it will be. I would like to see humanity evolve, and find balance and peace, at least for a time. No, it won’t be permanent. That’s not the nature of this world. Rather, it will be a reprieve from the same old crap we know every day. Will it be for a season, or the final one? Only the Lord knows that.
I’ve wandered along a broad road in this entry, so I’ll sign off now. It’s more stuff to think about. What do you think? Is it faith, or science, or is there room for both? Are we on the path to peace, or destruction, or both? Will we ever leave Earth and live interstellar, or have we ground out NASA and the Space Program for good, and can never catch up? You decide, and feel free to chime in with your view.
That’s all today. Take care, and have a great rest of the week.
Bye!
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