Thursday 31 October 2019

Beyond


It was November last year, when I published a piece titled 'Unforeseeable'. A piece which explored humankind's limits in certain knowledge surrounding existence. That certain knowledge was 'time' I discussed, in particular the future. How there was no telling the possibilities that await us. How there was no such thing as a prediction of inevitability. How good and bad happenings were equal and depended greatly on our methods in living. One thing I didn't shine much of a light on however, was the other half. The half that isn't time. I'm sure you know very well what I'm referring to. When time isn't involved, we are living in the present. The very brief moments that are now when our knowledge is at its peak, but still far from where we wish for it to be as the world and beyond still holds its mysteries. The people we are yet to know and the places we are yet to see. Even life and existence outside of Earth. Time is not the only thing that remains unclear.

Space! The dimensions that surround existence. The infinite and ever-expanding room for life to live and move. An ultimate provider of freedom and difference. A vital element of everything and there's nothing without it. Space amazes us with its vast size, but too leaves us curious. Because of how immeasurable it is, it holds countless possibilities like time. It leaves our work forever incomplete, but always brings about something new and exciting. Not one of us can answer for all of its secrets. Not even 7.7 billion of us together living on the planet. And it does not matter how intelligent we are or how intelligent we become. To this day, much space within our reach is still unknown. Some of it hasn't even been touched, leaving doors open to new discoveries. Discoveries dark, intriguing or potentially life-changing. On top of all this, there's the light years of untouched space surrounding Earth. Space for the most inquisitive of minds to learn heaps about.

The knowledge of space can go as far as being personal. Despite the numerous ways in which something is proven to exist, a few of us are not satisfied unless we view it for ourselves. It's sort of a step towards stuff not being real unless seen by nothing but the naked eye. Cut short, it's the 'seeing is believing' approach to life. When it comes to how silly it can sound, I can't disagree. But at the same time, I can't fault those who do go about this approach. How I see it, these people are merely putting existence to the test. It's the scientists coming out of them, demonstrating the tough questions and wanting to make sure everything around them makes sense. If that isn't enough, then there's supposedly the best thing to come out of this. Such an approach gives those who follow it a fantastic purpose. To travel the world and see what it has to offer. Personal exploration and discovery of space like any other interest, comes from hard work and perseverance. And it's an interest commonly considered to be very valuable for many reasons including money and distance covered during travel.

Of course, certain people can take their own lack of space knowledge to extremes. Some with little knowledge and no involvement in the events around them, may develop what will be considered by many as a sense of paranoia. It can start from as early as school, when students can feel they are coming off wrong to classmates. They might feel they've done something to discomfort a few kids. They might worry about the possibilities of being talked about negatively by others. All are notions that have crossed my mind at least once so far. It doesn't have to stop at school either. The unknowns to anybody regarding space can easily lead to the talk of conspiracies moving forward. Conspiracies as we all know, are supposed plans and other ideas utilised by small groups with the intention of causing harm for outsiders. Believers of these are often left feeling somewhat insecure. It can be as simple as one thinking they're being kept in the dark when it comes to important information. Or it can go to extreme lengths, with one fearing that something or someone is out to get them.

There are dozens of conspiracies and other talks stemming from little space knowledge that are commonly shared between everyday people. A few of them look into the possible secrets hidden within the lands us humans rarely get to visit. Many videos on the internet, share both tales and true stories of happenings inside the darkest and most isolated of places on the map. One conspiracy I'm sure we're all familiar with around the world, is the one regarding Area 51. Area 51 is the given name to a secret government-ran base hidden within the ranges of Nevada USA. It is said to be the home for testing new air force technology. In spite of what is known about the heavily fortified base, millions of people still carry suspicions about it. Given the location and intense security, it is commonly believed Area 51 is also home to huge scientific discoveries. Discoveries that could potentially change the way life is seen by most. They go as far as super advanced technology to the possible existence of extraterrestrial intelligence.

What can be seen as even scarier, is how us humans as a collective are creating a vast space of our own. One with plenty unknown areas within itself. I speak of course about computers and the internet. What is designed as a means to connect with people around the world and help gain further knowledge, is fast becoming the universe within a universe. The internet reflects our reality. It holds its populated cities (e.g. Facebook, Google, Wikipedia, Youtube, etc.) and remote locations. It shares its famous celebrities (e.g. Mark Zuckerberg, PewdiePie, etc.) and total strangers. It is both law-abiding and law-breaking. We are finding our lives more than ever influenced by the space of man-made computer networks. But while our reality is now in sync with the internet, so too are the dangers. There's the mysteries and parasites of the dark web. There's the unpredictable people and potential criminals behind false accounts. Most importantly, it has become the new life support of computer hacking and malware.

A good old friend of mine from the school days once said that nobody can be certain about anything. That perfect knowledge is impossible to reach. Having not yet opened my mind to such fascinating topics for discussion, I just took their word for it then. As of now, I couldn't agree more. Human understanding can be funny sometimes. While it seems some answers are made to appear precise by us, they never actually are. There always hides that very tiny chance of information we have long seen as being correct, containing several mistakes. There always is that tiny bit of room given to the brightest and most driven of us, for achieving greater accuracy in knowledge. We as one massive family are forever trying to compete with each other here. But little do we see how great this is. While most today will challenge understanding to make a name for themselves, any success will see humanity aided at least a small fraction. It's making sure discoveries remain both solid and as close to 100% as possible. It's a chase for greater awareness and a push for better lives.

Despite its hidden spots and unsettling shadows, space brings about the passion of exploration in plenty.  A passion that gives birth to a number of other passions. It also encourages us to increase our awareness through both protection and proper quests for the truth. The knowledge and experience gained from space travel defines character with finer detail. Although it is a frighteningly large task due to the size of space, exploration is the supplier of all things wonderful about existence. The visual beauty of space before one's eyes. The harmony man and nature has created. The many sensations within different cultures. The new and unfamiliar foods. The intriguing history behind the current structures of societies. A charming positive if you ask me. If life held no mysteries for anybody, there is every chance life would be nothing short of boring. The fact there is always something new to learn, keeps us moving everyday.

You will keep telling yourself what I'm discussing here doesn't matter. But I reckon there are many days when you demonstrate this. How so? Well ask yourself this question. Do you ever sit and briefly wonder to yourself what is taking place elsewhere? By this, I mean the whereabouts of other people as well as what they are doing while you think about them. I'm not afraid to admit that this is something I do nearly all of the time. Why is that? Excluding the fact that I like everybody else am not omnipresent, I personally have little to no experience in exploration. I know very few people and have visited very few places. Because of this, I just hunger for a greater glimpse into how other people use their gifts. I'm wanting to know how they see living. I'm profoundly interested in the diversity of existence. Right now, it feels as if the world is still a stranger to me at 23 (my age at the time of typing this). But that's just it I suppose. I still have plenty of time ahead of me at 23, which means plenty of time to seek these answers.

Space although being everything time isn't, shares some significant similarities. It's one of the two cogs of existence. An insanely large box full of never-ending conundrums. Conundrums that spark curiosity and evoke a wide range of emotions between us all. We can fear the giant it is and we can fear the enigma it is. But whether it's general or personal, knowing there is more about life to be found makes life itself all the more sweeter. The secrets of space inspire thousands of us into making history, leaving our mark and prolonging memories. Long story short, it fulfills lives. I for years, have had my moments of great uncertainty. I have not figured out what it is I should do. But the one thing that has never changed is my desire to explore different paths, take on fresh obstacles and meet new friendly faces. As a matter of fact, this is nearly everybody's desire. To look beyond, to go beyond and to know beyond!


Travis "TJ" James

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