Are we human because we gaze at the stars? (Mostly OT)
+++++ Are we human because we gaze at the stars? Or do we gaze at them because we are human? Pointless really. Do the stars gaze back? Now THAT's a question. +++++ Just back from seeing a movie called Stardust. The above are the opening lines. Fun flick (provided you like movies where the gal gets the guy and the bad guys get their due) and great music. http://www.stardustmovie.com/ pw
Quoting Patrick Wiggins <paw@wirelessbeehive.com>:
Fun flick (provided you like movies where the gal gets the guy and the bad guys get their due) and great music.
If you like that type a flick, go rent "Shooter". It's chock full of action. And there is a gal in it, and the bad guy's get... well, I won't spoil the plot. Language is a bit colorful... I give it two thumbs up.
I'd say we gaze at the star because we are human. And as we gaze, we are reminded that we are made of stardust. Do the stars gaze back? It's hard to imagine that our little planet could be the only one harboring life given the unimaginable vastness of space. Just my $.02 Taylor -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+stargzr=alltel.net@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+stargzr=alltel.net@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Patrick Wiggins Sent: Monday, August 20, 2007 1:24 AM To: utah astronomy listserve utah astronomy Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Are we human because we gaze at the stars? (MostlyOT) +++++ Are we human because we gaze at the stars? Or do we gaze at them because we are human? Pointless really. Do the stars gaze back? Now THAT's a question. +++++ Just back from seeing a movie called Stardust. The above are the opening lines. Fun flick (provided you like movies where the gal gets the guy and the bad guys get their due) and great music. http://www.stardustmovie.com/ pw _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com
What if there is no other life in the universe and the Intelligent Designer created all that we see just for us? Kim -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+kimharch=cut.net@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+kimharch=cut.net@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Taylor Sent: Monday, August 20, 2007 1:07 PM To: 'Utah Astronomy' Subject: RE: [Utah-astronomy] Are we human because we gaze at the stars?(MostlyOT) I'd say we gaze at the star because we are human. And as we gaze, we are reminded that we are made of stardust. Do the stars gaze back? It's hard to imagine that our little planet could be the only one harboring life given the unimaginable vastness of space. Just my $.02 Taylor -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+stargzr=alltel.net@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+stargzr=alltel.net@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Patrick Wiggins Sent: Monday, August 20, 2007 1:24 AM To: utah astronomy listserve utah astronomy Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Are we human because we gaze at the stars? (MostlyOT) +++++ Are we human because we gaze at the stars? Or do we gaze at them because we are human? Pointless really. Do the stars gaze back? Now THAT's a question. +++++ Just back from seeing a movie called Stardust. The above are the opening lines. Fun flick (provided you like movies where the gal gets the guy and the bad guys get their due) and great music. http://www.stardustmovie.com/ pw _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com ______________________________________________________________________ This e-mail has been scanned by Cut.Net Managed Email Content Service, using Skeptic(tm) technology powered by MessageLabs. For more information on Cut.Nets Content Service, visit http://www.cut.net ______________________________________________________________________ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.484 / Virus Database: 269.12.1/962 - Release Date: 8/20/2007 1:08 PM No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.484 / Virus Database: 269.12.1/962 - Release Date: 8/20/2007 1:08 PM
That is certainly possible. Taylor -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+stargzr=alltel.net@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+stargzr=alltel.net@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Kim Sent: Monday, August 20, 2007 3:23 PM To: 'Utah Astronomy' Subject: RE: [Utah-astronomy] Are we human because we gaze at thestars?(MostlyOT) What if there is no other life in the universe and the Intelligent Designer created all that we see just for us? Kim -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+kimharch=cut.net@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+kimharch=cut.net@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Taylor Sent: Monday, August 20, 2007 1:07 PM To: 'Utah Astronomy' Subject: RE: [Utah-astronomy] Are we human because we gaze at the stars?(MostlyOT) I'd say we gaze at the star because we are human. And as we gaze, we are reminded that we are made of stardust. Do the stars gaze back? It's hard to imagine that our little planet could be the only one harboring life given the unimaginable vastness of space. Just my $.02 Taylor -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+stargzr=alltel.net@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+stargzr=alltel.net@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Patrick Wiggins Sent: Monday, August 20, 2007 1:24 AM To: utah astronomy listserve utah astronomy Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Are we human because we gaze at the stars? (MostlyOT) +++++ Are we human because we gaze at the stars? Or do we gaze at them because we are human? Pointless really. Do the stars gaze back? Now THAT's a question. +++++ Just back from seeing a movie called Stardust. The above are the opening lines. Fun flick (provided you like movies where the gal gets the guy and the bad guys get their due) and great music. http://www.stardustmovie.com/ pw _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com ______________________________________________________________________ This e-mail has been scanned by Cut.Net Managed Email Content Service, using Skeptic(tm) technology powered by MessageLabs. For more information on Cut.Nets Content Service, visit http://www.cut.net ______________________________________________________________________ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.484 / Virus Database: 269.12.1/962 - Release Date: 8/20/2007 1:08 PM No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.484 / Virus Database: 269.12.1/962 - Release Date: 8/20/2007 1:08 PM _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com
Years ago I heard the question regarding extra-terrestrial intelligent life posed to a well-known astronomer (sorry, can't remember who it was - definitely not Carl Sagan). He responded with the usual statistics, i.e. the number of stars in the galaxy, number of galaxies in the universe, likelihood that at least some harbor earth-like planets that could support life, etc. and admitted that it was statistically unlikely that we are alone. Then he said something unusual for a scientist: "However, I like to think that God created all of this just for us." I've always rather liked that sentiment. Kim -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+kimharch=cut.net@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+kimharch=cut.net@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Taylor Sent: Monday, August 20, 2007 1:29 PM To: 'Utah Astronomy' Subject: RE: [Utah-astronomy] Are we human because we gaze atthestars?(MostlyOT) That is certainly possible. Taylor -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+stargzr=alltel.net@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+stargzr=alltel.net@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Kim Sent: Monday, August 20, 2007 3:23 PM To: 'Utah Astronomy' Subject: RE: [Utah-astronomy] Are we human because we gaze at thestars?(MostlyOT) What if there is no other life in the universe and the Intelligent Designer created all that we see just for us? Kim -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+kimharch=cut.net@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+kimharch=cut.net@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Taylor Sent: Monday, August 20, 2007 1:07 PM To: 'Utah Astronomy' Subject: RE: [Utah-astronomy] Are we human because we gaze at the stars?(MostlyOT) I'd say we gaze at the star because we are human. And as we gaze, we are reminded that we are made of stardust. Do the stars gaze back? It's hard to imagine that our little planet could be the only one harboring life given the unimaginable vastness of space. Just my $.02 Taylor -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+stargzr=alltel.net@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+stargzr=alltel.net@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Patrick Wiggins Sent: Monday, August 20, 2007 1:24 AM To: utah astronomy listserve utah astronomy Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Are we human because we gaze at the stars? (MostlyOT) +++++ Are we human because we gaze at the stars? Or do we gaze at them because we are human? Pointless really. Do the stars gaze back? Now THAT's a question. +++++ Just back from seeing a movie called Stardust. The above are the opening lines. Fun flick (provided you like movies where the gal gets the guy and the bad guys get their due) and great music. http://www.stardustmovie.com/ pw _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com ______________________________________________________________________ This e-mail has been scanned by Cut.Net Managed Email Content Service, using Skeptic(tm) technology powered by MessageLabs. For more information on Cut.Nets Content Service, visit http://www.cut.net ______________________________________________________________________ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.484 / Virus Database: 269.12.1/962 - Release Date: 8/20/2007 1:08 PM No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.484 / Virus Database: 269.12.1/962 - Release Date: 8/20/2007 1:08 PM _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com ______________________________________________________________________ This e-mail has been scanned by Cut.Net Managed Email Content Service, using Skeptic(tm) technology powered by MessageLabs. For more information on Cut.Nets Content Service, visit http://www.cut.net ______________________________________________________________________ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.484 / Virus Database: 269.12.1/962 - Release Date: 8/20/2007 1:08 PM No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.484 / Virus Database: 269.12.1/962 - Release Date: 8/20/2007 1:08 PM
Yep, that's the anthropocentric view alright. But lemme tell ya...I've gazed at the stars; Jessica Alba, Angelina Jolie, Pamela Anderson- and they don't gaze back. Oh, Richard Simmons glanced in my direction once, but to tell the truth, instead of feeling human I was totally creeped-out! On 8/20/07, Kim <kimharch@cut.net> wrote:
"However, I like to think that God created all of this just for us." I've always rather liked that sentiment.
True story: Early this year I received an email from a singles group I belong to asking if anyone wanted to go star gazing that night at Park City. I replied (in all sincerity) that while star gazing is fun, doing it in the middle of winter would be awfully uncomfortable and Park City's light pollution would spoil the view. I suggested they wait until spring when the weather would be warmer and to consider going to SPOC. Turns out there was a film festival going on at Park City that night and they were referring to the kind of star gazing Chuck mentions below. Guess I won the "Geek of the Week" award that day... :) pw On 20 Aug 2007, at 15:10, Chuck Hards wrote:
Yep, that's the anthropocentric view alright.
But lemme tell ya...I've gazed at the stars; Jessica Alba, Angelina Jolie, Pamela Anderson- and they don't gaze back. Oh, Richard Simmons glanced in my direction once, but to tell the truth, instead of feeling human I was totally creeped-out!
"Do the stars gaze back?" Since this thread is eliciting Sagan quotes, I offer my personal favorite: "Life is a way for the stars to know themselves." Think about stellar evolution, nucleosynthesis, and the inevitable consequences of stirring together hydrogen, physics and time. We ARE the stars gazing back. Seth -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+sjarvis=slco.org@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+sjarvis=slco.org@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Taylor Sent: Monday, August 20, 2007 1:07 PM To: 'Utah Astronomy' Subject: RE: [Utah-astronomy] Are we human because we gaze at the stars?(MostlyOT) I'd say we gaze at the star because we are human. And as we gaze, we are reminded that we are made of stardust. Do the stars gaze back? It's hard to imagine that our little planet could be the only one harboring life given the unimaginable vastness of space. Just my $.02 Taylor
Good one, Seth, I've used that quote on this very site before. Sagan also said something like, "Life is one of the more amusing properties of hydrogen, if you give it enough time." Most people don't really get it though. They still try to think of the universe as something made FOR humanity, istead of thinking of humanity (and every other living thing) as a natural product of an evolving universe. We won't last as a species over cosmic timescales; scientific evidence suggests that every species has a finite lifetime. Once we are gone, the universe will continue for a long, long time. The falling tree does make a sound even if no-one is there to hear it. On 8/21/07, Seth Jarvis <SJarvis@slco.org> wrote:
"Do the stars gaze back?"
Since this thread is eliciting Sagan quotes, I offer my personal favorite:
"Life is a way for the stars to know themselves."
Think about stellar evolution, nucleosynthesis, and the inevitable consequences of stirring together hydrogen, physics and time.
We ARE the stars gazing back.
Since we are tossing out favorite quotes here... "Why should I fret in microcosmic bonds, That chafe the spirit, and the mind repress, When through the clouds gleam beckoning Beyonds, Whose shining vistas mock man's littleness?" -H. P. Lovecraft --- Chuck Hards <chuck.hards@gmail.com> wrote:
Good one, Seth, I've used that quote on this very site before. Sagan also said something like, "Life is one of the more amusing properties of hydrogen, if you give it enough time."
Most people don't really get it though. They still try to think of the universe as something made FOR humanity, istead of thinking of humanity (and every other living thing) as a natural product of an evolving universe.
We won't last as a species over cosmic timescales; scientific evidence suggests that every species has a finite lifetime. Once we are gone, the universe will continue for a long, long time. The falling tree does make a sound even if no-one is there to hear it.
On 8/21/07, Seth Jarvis <SJarvis@slco.org> wrote:
"Do the stars gaze back?"
Since this thread is eliciting Sagan quotes, I
offer my personal favorite:
"Life is a way for the stars to know themselves."
Think about stellar evolution, nucleosynthesis,
and the inevitable
consequences of stirring together hydrogen, physics and time.
We ARE the stars gazing back.
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Thanks Joe, I've been so busy I forgot to check. Chalk one up for the engineers. On 8/21/07, Joe Bauman <bau@desnews.com> wrote:
Yahoo News says Endeavour has landed safely. -- jb
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Cthulhu is watching you... On 8/21/07, Richard Tenney <retenney@yahoo.com> wrote:
Since we are tossing out favorite quotes here...
"Why should I fret in microcosmic bonds, That chafe the spirit, and the mind repress, When through the clouds gleam beckoning Beyonds, Whose shining vistas mock man's littleness?"
-H. P. Lovecraft
participants (8)
-
Chuck Hards -
diveboss＠xmission.com -
Joe Bauman -
Kim -
Patrick Wiggins -
Richard Tenney -
Seth Jarvis -
Taylor