Friday, November 11, 2011

Imponderables

I think of myself as a very practical and down to earth guy. I mean, after all I am an engineer. And I have a firm faith in God, life after death, and our purpose on earth. So it strikes me a bit odd when I catch myself thinking in the abstract, or outright fantasy, from time to time.

For example, have you ever thought about the possibility that the whole world is fabricated and all revolves around you? Kind of like "The Truman Show"? Bizarre.

Or that the colors and shapes that you perceive are not like what others perceive? I mean, who is to say what you see as "red" is like what someone else sees as "red"? In fact, color blindness is sort of a flavor of this thought.

And here's an unsettling one--what is nothingness like, or what if we became extinct as a person or being? I can't fathom such a prospect, yet I suppose this is what many believe happens after this earth life.

In a related vein, I can't comprehend why anyone would take their own life. I love life, and, in spite of my belief in bright prospects in our life after death, cherish each day and wish for longevity. Is this mostly because I have had such a blessed life (which I have)?

I also have a hard time fathoming the immensity of the universe. Our solar system for starters, then our galaxy. And to think of innumerable galaxies, with sizes and distances beyond comprehension.

1 comment:

  1. During childhood I sometimes wondered if we were like ants on an anthill. Just as we would watch the ants and maybe disturb their path or put sand into the anthill hole, what if there were some very large beings watching us, as if we were their playthings. Sometimes they might reach out and cause cars to crash or a building to topple over, just to see us rush around in a panic, like ants do when we wreck their anthill.

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