I have never understood the obsession that so many have with wanting to “conquer” outer space. It is much like the early European explorers who ventured across the ocean to establish their homes in North America. Our ancestors ran away from oppressive conditions in hopes of creating a better life; but in the approximately 500 years hence, little has changed in our human ability to create that utopian life.
I am continually saddened at the throw away mindset of our culture. Younger generations have taken so much for granted. Far too many people do not value what they have. They do not take care of what they have. They are greedy. When they acquire the things they believe will make them happy, they discard them and move on to the next thing. They are wasteful. They are irreverent of our earth, of material things, of other living plants and animals, and of each other.
New telescopes are constantly being built to aid us in seeing what we could not see before. Our government spends billions of dollars on space exploration. Sure, it is interesting to learn what we can about other planets; but we cannot treat Earth like a worn out toy that a toddler has grown tired of playing with. Earth is not replaceable! Why do some think that we can completely trash her, exploit her riches, destroy her beauty, and move on to the next habitable planet? Why can they not see that Earth is a precious gift that has been given to us? We need to revere her and make amends for the unspeakable suffering we have caused. The grass is not greener out there. We need to stay here at home and pay the great debt we have incurred.
