Realisation

Think about it. We read fiction to escape a mundane reality that in reality, is not that mundane.

Imagine seeing this sunset for the first time with no prior knowledge of the sun at all, seemingly sandwiched between these two trees. How far away would you estimate it to be? Is it right there between the trees? Is it directly above the small boat below? How would you possibly know without trying impossibly to reach it without ever getting there?

To know that it is in fact 93 million miles away is incredible. It is no longer a mystery and this makes it even more amazing. The fact that despite this vast distance, the sun still manages to dwarf the small boat that is close enough for me to swim to deserves so much recognition. I guess because it is all we have ever know we so rarely take a moment to watch it disappear behind the ocean.

We don’t need to hide from reality to enjoy life, some things in life are much more mind blowing and magical the more we get to know about them. I am sure there are plenty more unimaginable facts out there waiting for us once we put our books down to a much more exciting reality.

There must be a reason why we are so obsessed with reality and chat shows, soap operas and talk show DNA tests. To be so entertained by watching people live normal lives, where is the fun in that? Do what you want of course, just make sure your time is spent wisely and know that this is a better time than ever to learn about the truth so many humans have sought and sometimes been killed for, for centuries.

Superiority

For a species that believes it is superior, nature gives humans very little time to prove it and finds an incredible number of ways to wipe us out. I took this photo in a park in Rio, I’m unsure what tree it is although I was fascinated by the size of its roots. The people below aren’t exactly noticeable.

We are the best. The most intelligent, or so I’m told. On many occasions it’s justified. Despite this the universe only gives us a mere few decades to prove our claims of superiority, nowhere near the lifespan of a bristlecone pine tree or a giant tortoise, the former outliving civilisations and countless beliefs systems with that. 

I don’t think it is depressing to think so, more humbling. We need to be humble, the more willing we are to accept this the less we will try to prove our worth by making false claims about our place in the universe.

I’m proud of my species, it’s just crazy to consider the sheer number of things that out-live us, without having a book dedicated to them either.