Why aren’t we going to space anymore? Why the space program is facing increasing budget cuts while nations have burgeoning defense allocation? Why is feeding the needy brought up as an argument against sending probes up in space?
These rhetorical questions do indeed have an answer. We no longer have a Carl Sagan, an Isaac Asimov, a Vikram Sarabhai, and an Arthur Clarke to advocate for space. We don’t have our space lobbyists anymore. Science is being sacrificed at the altar of cost cutting while there is irresponsible spending in indigenization of our fleets (which hasn’t yet borne any fruit), in grand schemes like the Food Security Bill where money might well be pilfered at all levels and yet we feel that we shouldn’t pursue space because it is snatching food from the poor? The Indian Space Program is the cheapest space venture out there. And exploring cosmos isn’t a wanton want of the privileged few, it is the dire need beneficial to many. One day, when the Earth is no longer habitable, we might well have to leave it…
So reading Cosmos by Carl Sagan in that context, I do feel that not exploring space is not an option. And beyond that, the true pursuit of happiness can only be achieved by a true pursuit of knowledge. For long, we have feared the unknown and worshipped it as our God, for long have we given in to the dubious authority of religion; we need to dispel the darkness within, we need to bring Cosmos (order) to the chaos within.
Cosmos is a condensed and an almost lyrical version of what humans have achieved so far, an evocation to the geniuses of the past, an advocacy of the existence of the extraterrestrial, a promise of an exciting future, and a prayer to the humanity of our civilization. Cosmos, in other words, is Carl Sagan’s beating heart.
It is a mandatory read for every earthling so that they can truly value their lives which have taken over millions of years to come into being by a set of fortunate circumstances. Yes, we are precious and we have light years to go before we sleep.
Alienman 