From time to time, we humans contemplate our own existence. Inadvertently or consciously, this process changes the individual. This change comes from the exchange of the point of view one takes in relation to reality. I confess that, for two years, I have spent more time than I should have getting through these moments, but the experience was enlightening. I will highlight two of them that exemplifies the mindsets of those observing the universe:
1 - Insignificance
What is the universe made of? There are countless solutions to this enigma, but, if the intent is to comprehend the composition of the celestial elements, the answer is awe-inspiring! Planets, stars and galaxies! Almost everything in the universe is at a not very known state of matter called plasma (that occurs when gaseous elements experience extreme temperatures to the point of separating their electrons from the nuclei of their atoms, transforming them into loose ions floating into a crazy cosmic electron soup.) Behold the aether, raw material of the stars! Such stars that almost totally compose the night sky. Their sizes are so extraordinarily gigantic that we are literally incapable of conceiving it. Even if we use the pseudo-concept artifice of visualizing our planet from the outside, we are barely able to understand the distance between the celestial bodies. We are insignificant when compared to our planet, which is insignificant compared to our sun, which is also insignificant compared to the star called UY Scuti (with approximately 1500 times our Sun's mass) and this is just one of a number that, by the contemplation of our human eyes, extends to infinity - the population of stars in our night sky. The united gravitational influence of these colossi holds the galaxy together as a single structure immeasurably gigantic to our human standards! By themselves, the combined gravitational influence of the galaxies also keeps larger structures in place, the clusters. All of this, interacting together, assemble a gargantuan organised structure of which we see an infinitesimal part: the universe! Compared to all of this, what are we? The word “nothing” appears to be an understatement.
2 - Complexity
What is the aether? Plasma! Chemicals on an extreme state of particle excitement. The stars are composed of an astounding quantity of hydrogen and helium that, due to the extreme conditions of their cores (and a little help from Quantum Tunneling), fuse themselves into heavier and heavier elements. In spite that, by the end of its life, a large enough star explodes creating and throwing extremely heavy elements into the universe, its initial structure is incredibly simple, being made only of an uncountable amount of the simplest atoms we know. But, how about us? The comparison of the complexities is inversely proportional to the comparison of might! Our composition is so complex, so delicately balanced for the existence of life, it obfuscates the stars! Of course it doesn't change their size and might, but we, insignificant human beings, are complex to the point of have been trusted with a cognition that allows us to contemplate and appreciate the colossal stars, that, as powerful as they might be, will never contemplate us back.
Yes, if being powerful colossi is stunning and reverent, the capacity to conceive and appreciate such qualities is as impressive as having them! If we think of the universe as a painting made by a talented Artist, we can imagine his appreciation for the stars and galaxies that composes most part of the work, but we can also imagine the attention and care dedicated to the composition of the delicate humans, “mere details” to the the general context, but with such complexity that they could be put on equal grounds with the rest of the painting.
The universe is indescribably wondrous. But our cognitive capacity to conceive and contemplate it makes each one of us as vast as stars.
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