 |
The universe seems neither benign nor hostile, merely indifferent
|
We now know
better. We are just a speck in a possible infinite universe (Einstein's
theories of relativity allow this). Our galaxy is one of a least a 100 billion galaxies,
most receding from us at incredible speeds. Some are receding even faster that the speed
of light (how so?). Our position in the cosmos is nothing special. As life
forms we are like other life forms except smarter. An individual's existence is
marked in just a few scant decades and then extinguished. We emerge from
oblivion and meet it again all too soon. The universe, as we know it, has
existed for 14 billion years and perhaps will last forever. Our place in the
vast cosmos of space and time doesn't even count as a blink, a jot, or iota.
Move him into the sun—
Gently its touch awoke him once,
At home, whispering of fields half-sown.
Always it woke him, even in France,
Until this morning and this snow.
If anything might rouse him now
The kind old sun will know.
Think how it wakes the seeds,—
Woke, once, the clays of a cold star.
Are limbs, so dear-achieved, are sides,
Full-nerved—still warm—too hard to stir?
Was it for this the clay grew tall?
—O what made fatuous sunbeams toil
To break earth’s sleep at all?
Gently its touch awoke him once,
At home, whispering of fields half-sown.
Always it woke him, even in France,
Until this morning and this snow.
If anything might rouse him now
The kind old sun will know.
Think how it wakes the seeds,—
Woke, once, the clays of a cold star.
Are limbs, so dear-achieved, are sides,
Full-nerved—still warm—too hard to stir?
Was it for this the clay grew tall?
—O what made fatuous sunbeams toil
To break earth’s sleep at all?
by Wilfred Owen
O well, I don't know about you,
but I'm off out for a meal and a glass of good beer.
 |
| Yea, but what is the question? |
Beer! Beer FFS!
ReplyDeleteThat's your answer to cutting back on the red wine?!? Have a glass of beer!
Strangely enough I've just read all six Hitchhikers books back to back and I still don't have a clue what the fuck it was all about. But maybe that was the point Adams was making...
There is no God but Arthur Askey...
ReplyDeleteArthur Askey makes the perfect god: absolutely pointless. As for the 'Hitch Hikers Guide', I entreaty you to read it again.
ReplyDeleteSadly miss Douglas Adams. HHGG on the radio was the best version. Have to remember all the different genres were different in many ways. Douglas re wrote them each time. The poor film version wasn't his as such. The TV version would have benefited from better effects. But the radio, ahh the images he created... all those Lintillas...
ReplyDeleteDouglas Adams was a rare genius. As for the effects in the tele version- the sight of Beeblebrox's second head will haunt me to the end of my days.
ReplyDeleteThe question, as you'll recall, is what's 6 x9?
ReplyDeleteDouglas Adams was a smart mathematician and had an answer prepared for why 6 x 9 = 42: BASE 13!
(13 is also the number of dimensions needed for basic string theory - spooky or what?)
In case it's not obvious, 42 in base 13 = 54 in base 10.
A smart fella that Douglas Adams, endowed with wit and an impish sense of humour- sadly missed.
DeleteMay I introduce a Steven Crane (1871-1900. Wrote 'The Red Badge of Courage') quotation to the discussion;
ReplyDeleteA man said to the universe: “Sir, I exist!”
“However,” replied the universe, “The fact has not created in me a sense of obligation.”
Hi Bill, as you say said American gentleman is mostly remembered for his American Civil War novel. However, he was also an accomplished poet and prolific writer in his short life. I confess I haven't read much of his work. To be honest I find some of his writing a little too avant garde for my taste, although I can appreciate his obvious talent.
ReplyDelete