Recommended for you

Start writing a post

Lifestyle

What Outer-space Tells Us About Life

"Mystery creates wonder and wonder is the basis of man's desire to understand." — Neil Armstrong

Jackie White

Jan 13, 2021

Texas A&M University

Photo by Michael on Unsplash

For thousands of years, astronomers, philosophers, and religious and non-religious persons alike have looked up at the night sky and fantasized about the meaning of the cosmos. When a person begins to wonder about deep space, it ignites a desire to grasp how the Universe was created and, perhaps most commonly, who created it. This is why, so often, science fiction novels contain religious symbols and ideas. From Cicero's Dream of Scipio in 146 BC to Olaf Stapledon's Star Maker in 1937, writers have questioned and imagined what lies beyond our Earth, human significance in relation, and who or what the divine Star Maker is.

I interviewed a group of people from different ages, genders, and religions to ask them what space makes them think about. Their answers were surprisingly similar.

1. "I feel small and insignificant when I think about space. It feels...forbidden. Like there are secrets and mysteries up there that man will chase for eternity. When I think about space, I can’t help but believe that there is a higher power. I think about eternity...it makes you ask, ‘why are we here?’” - 50 year old woman

2. “I think about the unknown. There is a little bit of fear there too, but in a healthy “fear of God” way. It brings out curiosity and fear at the same time. It makes me feel a part of a greater purpose. It doesn’t make me feel meaningless. It makes me feel like I am here for a reason.” - 24 year old female

3. “I’m not scared of space. It makes me feel lucky as f***. Like...how did I get a ride on this space rock? It reminds me how crazy low the chances are that I would be born in a time and place where I could even have this conversation right now.” -24 year old male.

4. “I think about God-- a God who is the master and creator of this big infinite universe is still small and personal enough to live in my heart” -54 year old male

5. “It’s so vast. It doesn’t scare me as much as the ocean scares me. I don’t think about it a lot, but honestly I feel like people use space to stop focusing on what's happening here. It’s an escape-- an excuse to not think about our problems on Earth. I’ve never been that curious about it to concern myself. However, it does make me think about the possibility of God. If space can be so vast and big, then we don’t know anything. Whoever made us knows everything.” -21 year old female

6. “I think about God’s creation. I think about the intentional design and vastness and how infinitely small we are. That had to have been intentional. There has to be a creator.” -- 30 year old female

7. “How big space is makes my life feel meaningless, but in a comforting way. Like...my problems aren’t as big as I make them out to be. There is something bigger to think about.” -20 year old female

8. “It sort of makes me feel surreal. You think of how big outer space is and ask ‘how could it be just us here?’” - 10 year old female

9. "Space makes me fall small, but not in a bad way. It reminds me that I’m not the only person on this planet. I have a faith, so I find the fact that God created both the stars and me super cool” -23 year old female.

10. “I have both positive and negative feelings towards space. Space makes me feel insignificant because I’m like ‘i’m literally so tiny. How can I make any impact when I know I'm in this huge expanse?’ But in a positive way, it reminds me that I am here for a reason. That’s pretty cool.” -20 year old male

All humans desire to understand their place amongst the cosmos and their contribution to such a vast universe. Only Outer Space could make a ten year old use the word "surreal!" Regardless of if you feel positively or negatively towards the idea of space travel, every now and then, it is important to look up at the stars and stimulate your innate human sense of wonder!

Report this Content

This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

Entertainment

25 Beatles Lyrics: Your Go-To Guide for Every Situation

The Best Lines from the Fab Four

SUNY Binghamton

34360

Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less

best beatles lyrics

Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Smith College

97857

college students waiting in a long line in the hallway

StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

waitlisted

Recommended for you

What Outer-space Tells Us About Life

"Mystery creates wonder and wonder is the basis of man's desire to understand." — Neil Armstrong

3. “I’m not scared of space. It makes me feel lucky as f***. Like...how did I get a ride on this space rock? It reminds me how crazy low the chances are that I would be born in a time and place where I could even have this conversation right now.” -24 year old male.

4. “I think about God-- a God who is the master and creator of this big infinite universe is still small and personal enough to live in my heart” -54 year old male

6. “I think about God’s creation. I think about the intentional design and vastness and how infinitely small we are. That had to have been intentional. There has to be a creator.” -- 30 year old female

7. “How big space is makes my life feel meaningless, but in a comforting way. Like...my problems aren’t as big as I make them out to be. There is something bigger to think about.” -20 year old female

8. “It sort of makes me feel surreal. You think of how big outer space is and ask ‘how could it be just us here?’” - 10 year old female

9. "Space makes me fall small, but not in a bad way. It reminds me that I’m not the only person on this planet. I have a faith, so I find the fact that God created both the stars and me super cool” -23 year old female.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

Trending Topics

Top Creators

Trending Stories

Best of Lifestyle

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments

Subscribe to our
Newsletter