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"The Known Universe"

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You know, sometimes in life it is far too easy to take the myopic view, one in which you are unable to look past your own problems to see the greater picture. It is easy to slide into a sad state, pitying oneself and raging against the unfairness of it all, though at this point I'm so cynical that one would think that I am beyond pointless questions of "fairness", a very trite notion with no basis at all in reality. It is too easy to stop looking past one's own problems to take in the world around them, to slide into a gloom so pervasive that all else is blocked out. When that state of mind happens to describe myself, this video helps.

One's own problems surely seem tiny in comparison to the vastness and grandeur of the Universe as science has begun to reveal. It is rather difficult to be sad about a minute problem when you realize the sheer scale of things. Enjoy.


"The Known Universe" by the American Museum of Natural History
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  1. KremerApril 14, 2011 at 6:43 PM

    :0

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  2. Herla cyningApril 14, 2011 at 6:49 PM

    An admirable sentiment, Mr. Clemens, but one mustn’t down-play one's own humanity. Yes, the universe is vast and seemingly incomprehensible to us, and we are in a sense insignificant to it, but we shouldn't have our heads so far into space that we fail to fulfill our part in this big, beautiful performance that is life. As humans, we, unlike the universe entire, have this wonderful ability to think, feel, and emote, and I really believe that this is both very special and something that makes life all the more interesting and worth checking out. It is true that we certainly have our faults and our share of problems, but to me that just makes the good things all the sweeter and more precious -- a lesson that I had sometimes very nearly chosen not to stick around to learn. I am, however, quite glad to have had occasion to realize this, even if I sometimes forget. Now, I love a good healthy dose of cynicism, but, as my old gaffer used to say, “[it is important to remember to keep] all things in moderation, including moderation.” Don’t forget that, by being human, you are subject to experience all the “ups and downs” as the rest of us, and that’s what makes you, as a unique individual, special and interesting. One never knows just what life has in store for them -- how they themselves will turn out, or what kind of positive influence they’ll have on the people around them. To me, it’ll be exciting to find out, and who knows, maybe some of our expectations will be well met and well worth the wait. Cheers!

    “There is nothing quite like looking, if you want to find something. You certainly usually find something, if you look, but it is not always quite the something you were after.” - Tolkien

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