July 11th, 2019
Why do we exist? Why is there something, rather than nothing. The concept of infinity is hard to grasp. Can something have really existed forever? Although I find it fun to theorize about the origin of the universe, it is perhaps a more meaningful search to look for our place within it.
Then what is our purpose? Many scientists would say: To reproduce, to create new life. That answer is correct; it is the sad reality that our purpose is simply to continue multiplying and consuming as many of nature's resources as possible. Many people dream of something bigger, and believe that we are truly unique in the universe. However, it only becomes more apparent by the day how little everything revolves around us. In the grand scheme of things, our entire planet is just a tiny spec compared to the entire universe. Earth makes up 0.0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000003% of only the observable universe. Even our galaxy The Milky Way makes up a miniscule 0.00000000000000042% of the observable universe. As Neil DeGrasse Tyson famously said, "There are more stars in the universe than all the grains of sand on all the world's beaches".
With a universe this large; no matter what happens on Earth; does it really mean anything? We are not the only planet capable of life. Space agencies are consistently discovering new Exoplanets. It would be ignorant to believe there are not millions if not billions of other intergalactic species simply a little out of our reach. There is not any proof that we are the only universe either as many scientists now believe in a multiverse theory. Considering the possibility that there could be an infinite number of universes, it is only probability that some of them are exactly the same as our own. In fact, infinity is such a big number that there could be an infinite amount of universes the exact same as the one you are living in.
To add to our insignificance, this might not be the first time our specific universe existed either. The universe began with a big bang as a small singularity rapidly expanded (and is still expanding today) over billions of years. Eventually, scientists predict that this process will reverse, and our universe will end with a big crunch. Time will pass, and the microscopic singularity smaller than a quark would then expand again restarting the never-ending cycle. Considering that our universe will continue expanding and shrinking for all eternity, it is again only probability that our universe will eventually rebuild itself in the exact form that it is now. We live in a cycle of eternal resurgence, immortal, and forced to live the same life over and over again over eons. These facts could lead one to say everything is completely meaningless. We could continue reproducing and expanding the human race; but in the end, we have no grand purpose. We will simply fizzle out and die over and over again. This all sounds depressing thus far, but this is not a book of sorrows and angst. This is a book of hope, and this is simply the starting point of our journey. Together, we will search for a light in a dark nihilistic world.
It would be impossible to write a chapter on searching for meaning without mentioning the destination the majority have found whilst searching; religion.
We had the Egyptians, we had the Greeks, we had the Romans, we had the Norse. They all had religions vastly different to ours that we now consider farcical, myth. I remember reading that there are an estimated 4,200 religions present in the world. I do not remember how reliable this source was, but it is undeniable there are a substantial amount of beliefs present in our world. Obviously, they cannot all be true as they contradict and there is no evidence other than a large present day following that makes Christianity, Islam, Judaism or any other modern-day religion more reliable then the tales of the Roman gods. A quick Google search will reveal that there is no historical evidence that Jesus Christ or a number of other religious figures ever existed. We do have the Bible, but its different versions contradict themselves and are all biased making it unreliable from a historical point of view.
I am not against the idea that some sort of deity(s) created the universe, I simply believe that if it or they exist, the deity(s) never interacted with humanity. (I deem it much more likely, that all matter and laws of physics have simply always existed without a creator, but I cannot rule out this possibility.) If you are do not believe that our religions are outdated, or you have never thought that a quite substantial amount of Biblical stories are not much different than what you would find in a mythology classroom, I can understand where you are coming from. I went to a Catholic school for the first few years of my life and the experience molded much of the person I am today. The child's mind is easily impressionable, and can be bent to believe whatever it is told for the rest of its life. I still sometimes feel guilt rejecting the Christian god despite firmly no longer believing in the concept. I expect my early childhood is to blame. Religion is not a bad thing and when used properly is not only beneficial toward society, but can increase an individual's quality of life. If everyone truly loved thy neighbor as thyselves, we would be living in a much better world. However, as history has proved time and time again, major problems arise when different religions believe that their faith is more true than another person's.
In my next chapter, I will write in more detail about my opinion on religion's place in a modern society, but in brief, the complete absence of religion would likely do much more harm than good. The idea of nothing after life, or endlessly repeating the same lives is quite horrific to many people. The number of atheists is only increasing and religion is dying a blisteringly long death. With the fall of religion, I predict a quick increase in nihilism. While nihilists may be correct that there is no grand purpose for us, their impact on a society already plagued by mental illness would be dreadful. However, In regards to being insignificant; does it matter whether we have a purpose? We have something beautiful; we have each other, friendship, love, delicious foods, astonishing culture and events to be experienced. Do we really need a grand purpose, or one at all for that matter to live a truly meaningful life? I embrace the void.
Our civilizations would quickly descend into anarchy if our leaders began running on the platform that nothing matters. Since we were given no purpose, it only makes sense that we make our own. Personally, want to improve society. I do not know how I will do it, but I want to make life better for as many people as possible in some way or another. Although I do not desire children, I want this planet to be healthy for the future generations of all species. Eventually, I believe we can transcend religion altogether and evolve into a greater species, where we are our own gods. There is no limit to what the human race can achieve if we work together towards increasing the quality of life for our peers. Sometimes, sacrifices will be made. We will have to live more frugally to combat climate change, but we will combat it as one bringing forth an era of future prosperity.
Beyond cosmic significance; does it matter if you are significant on this earth either? As long as you are not putting others in danger, have fun with your life. Fame and fortune are in all honesty overrated. A good book costs very little and people cost nothing. Of all the trillion upon trillions of objects your atoms could have formed in this gargantuan universe, they formed intelligent life capable of experiencing a magnificent world.
Sources:
https://www.dummies.com/education/science/physics/the-theory-of-parallel-universes/
https://science.howstuffworks.com/dictionary/astronomy-terms/big-crunch.htm
https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2014/12/18/did-historical-jesus-exist-the-traditional-evidence-doesnt-hold-up/?noredirect=on
https://www.quora.com/What-percentage-of-the-universe-does-earth-take-up
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