Legendary science fiction writer and visionary Arthur C. Clarke passed into the timeless inexplicable structure of eternity today on the island nation of Sri Lanka. He was 90 years old and an inspiration and mentor to thousands, including myself.
I was introduced to the imaginative symbolism and dream that was 2001 A Space Odyssey at six years old. A simple afternoon of vanilla wafers and a movie changed my life forever. (The Blue Danube has since never existed as an example of "classical" music in mind) The following day I tugged at my mother's shirt begging her to drive me to the public library so that I could read the novel and attempt to answer the multitude of questions swimming in my mind. The love affair had commenced. (even though the David Bowman in the novel entered the stargate through the oddly smooth surface of Saturn's brethren, Japetus)
Clarke's vast imagination manifested within the dozens of titles I read during my youth, provided me with the structure for asking vital questions and forging ideas about society, metaphysics, religion, the basis of the universe itself. In turn, I was able to gain a valuable perspective about my own existence in the world of reality through the use of metaphors and thought experiments. Today, a collection of his greatest short stories sits beckoning on the bookshelf in my office. Before picking it up I always ask the question, what if?
Clarke's Rama Spacecraft in 3D
His world spanned two world wars, and innovations in every aspect of technology. As the inventor of the communications satellite and countless other devices including the walkman, the contributions he made in the progression of society will never be forgotten. Sadly, Clarke left this earth with a moon still not yet tamed and the shimmer from the stars a constant reminder of the relativistic scale of the universe.
I thank Sir Clarke for the brilliant flashes of colors and the explosions of stark contrasts and irony in my dreams. He empowered me to truly imagine. As Clarke was influenced by science fiction pioneer Olaf Stapledonas a young man, the cycle continues as the three quarter silver moon shines in the obscure year of 2008. It may never be proven that the terribly conflicted Hal was derived from Clarke's manipulation of IBM by simply taking each letter one space back in the alphabet, but the legend of a great story teller will live forever amidst the constant of energy within the universe.
Below are a few questions posed by his novels.
How will the realities of population growth, energy consumption and food production be handled over the next 1,000 years?
Will a space tower comprised entirely of nanotechnology manufactured buckytubes reaching low earth orbit be built?
Will the differences between living conditions and cultural intricacies create friction between Earth and the colonies?
How will lovers separated by the expanse of the solar system escape the inevitability of the failure of real time conversations thanks to Einstein’s speed limit?
Has the ongoing collection by god of data and manipulation of spacefaring species continued since the beginning?
Is god’s whole purpose for the universe to randomly achieve complete praise to its name?
Will the continued evolution in technology eventually reach a point of stagnation for both the tools of humankind and humankind itself?
Have ancient races of beings achieved the complete transformation into pure energy, hence gods?
Will the Chinese space program eventually surpass NASA is both imagination and performance?
How will humanity fare in the wake of a cosmic disaster with the possibility of complete extinction?
Clarke's Last Public Address
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Friday, March 7, 2008
Freedom of Thought
The redundancy reaches a crescendo as the protestors decide that violence represents the truth of freedom and the end game of tyranny from the constitution. For those who engage in the group think tactics of large scale demonstrations, does the average participating individual truly grasp the significance of their decision or possess any inclination of where they exist in the democratic process? This of course assumes that identity is maintained through the coalescence of the offending group, where emotions border on the extreme and the highest powers of thought are neglected thanks to instinct and adrenaline.
The whole basis for this rant stems from the writings of Arthur C. Clarke and the Rama series, where mankind is ultimately given the keys to utopia, but fails as a result what is accepted as human nature, conditioning and the intricate wiring of the brain dictated by genetics. The few who maintain the perspective of the profound gift from the gods are ultimately isolated and banished from society.
This theme is apparent in the reality of the present, exemplified by everyday life and the habits of comfort afforded by technology. Thus, social Darwinism does not have a profound existence in first world nations. As the standards of living continue to improve, intelligence is no longer a needed requirement for mere survival.
Reductionism is rampart and emphasized by those who yearn for true freedom of speech, yet lack the mental facilities to conjure original thought. Freedom of speech is simply misrepresented by its label. The true culprit of an efficient government lies in the context of freedom of thought. Why then expend the energy in dialogue regarding an attribute that is not utilized on a large scale? Those who engage in the protest for the freedom of thought, also nurture the binds of political correctness. In a sense the forces will cancel each other out. However, as immigration continues to grow unchecked, the PC movement will eventually pave the way for those who embrace and exercise critical thought.
As the dawn of the information age gradually reaches the morning hours of consciousness and humanity continues to linger on a plateau dictated by population growth and increased immigration, critical thought becomes diluted on a societal level. To assimilate conveniently in a nation saturated by cultures and a strife for decency and open-mindedness the less thought, the better. How not offend every individual being who is different? How to fit in with the group so that the reality of reproductive opportunity exists as well as the support from friends and family? As a result the demand instant gratification for information will decrease, opening up valuable bandwidth and resources.
For those who choose to question the mundane circumstances and are critical of government, the freedom for the propagation of random and solitary ideas will continue to exist under the umbrella of the constitution. Without the detractions of misguided thought or incomplete conclusions, an evolution will take place in the refinement of all academic studies and sciences. The elimination of quantities of useless information will increase the efficiency in communication and massive efforts in collaboration between international think tanks will take effect. As the myth to the existence of the global village continues to be accepted as fact in pop culture, the reality is exactly the opposite and is destined to have profound effects on a society valuing instant information over intelligence.
With the efficiencies dictated by mainstream technology in both transportation and communications devices, the once "25 mile bubble" of the typical american adult has been reduced by half. Fuel prices notwithstanding, (though the average price per gallon is actually comfortably within the consumer friendly parameters after being adjusted for inflation) drivers are utilizing the framework of local highways and roadways in record numbers, exemplifying the love affair with the automobile. As the convenience of flexible travel meets the quality of personal net interface, the grand view of a gossiping global family shrinks to the level of the individual or simply solitude. Thus, the requirement or desire for foreign content is a non-factor. Already, the reality of indifference towards globalism is evident as aptitude in geographical and cross cultural knowledge remains stagnant. Third and second world populations continue to strive for a one world view as the daily struggle for survival remains a reality, the grounds fertile for the propogation of intelligence and the infusion of western industrialization. However, the constant struggle of the classes prevents a pervasiveness towards the refinement of structured interaction.
The whole basis for this rant stems from the writings of Arthur C. Clarke and the Rama series, where mankind is ultimately given the keys to utopia, but fails as a result what is accepted as human nature, conditioning and the intricate wiring of the brain dictated by genetics. The few who maintain the perspective of the profound gift from the gods are ultimately isolated and banished from society.
This theme is apparent in the reality of the present, exemplified by everyday life and the habits of comfort afforded by technology. Thus, social Darwinism does not have a profound existence in first world nations. As the standards of living continue to improve, intelligence is no longer a needed requirement for mere survival.
Reductionism is rampart and emphasized by those who yearn for true freedom of speech, yet lack the mental facilities to conjure original thought. Freedom of speech is simply misrepresented by its label. The true culprit of an efficient government lies in the context of freedom of thought. Why then expend the energy in dialogue regarding an attribute that is not utilized on a large scale? Those who engage in the protest for the freedom of thought, also nurture the binds of political correctness. In a sense the forces will cancel each other out. However, as immigration continues to grow unchecked, the PC movement will eventually pave the way for those who embrace and exercise critical thought.
As the dawn of the information age gradually reaches the morning hours of consciousness and humanity continues to linger on a plateau dictated by population growth and increased immigration, critical thought becomes diluted on a societal level. To assimilate conveniently in a nation saturated by cultures and a strife for decency and open-mindedness the less thought, the better. How not offend every individual being who is different? How to fit in with the group so that the reality of reproductive opportunity exists as well as the support from friends and family? As a result the demand instant gratification for information will decrease, opening up valuable bandwidth and resources.
For those who choose to question the mundane circumstances and are critical of government, the freedom for the propagation of random and solitary ideas will continue to exist under the umbrella of the constitution. Without the detractions of misguided thought or incomplete conclusions, an evolution will take place in the refinement of all academic studies and sciences. The elimination of quantities of useless information will increase the efficiency in communication and massive efforts in collaboration between international think tanks will take effect. As the myth to the existence of the global village continues to be accepted as fact in pop culture, the reality is exactly the opposite and is destined to have profound effects on a society valuing instant information over intelligence.
With the efficiencies dictated by mainstream technology in both transportation and communications devices, the once "25 mile bubble" of the typical american adult has been reduced by half. Fuel prices notwithstanding, (though the average price per gallon is actually comfortably within the consumer friendly parameters after being adjusted for inflation) drivers are utilizing the framework of local highways and roadways in record numbers, exemplifying the love affair with the automobile. As the convenience of flexible travel meets the quality of personal net interface, the grand view of a gossiping global family shrinks to the level of the individual or simply solitude. Thus, the requirement or desire for foreign content is a non-factor. Already, the reality of indifference towards globalism is evident as aptitude in geographical and cross cultural knowledge remains stagnant. Third and second world populations continue to strive for a one world view as the daily struggle for survival remains a reality, the grounds fertile for the propogation of intelligence and the infusion of western industrialization. However, the constant struggle of the classes prevents a pervasiveness towards the refinement of structured interaction.
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