Universe wasted on humans?
Mark Pavilons

In order for us to put on our pants in the morning, the universe had to be created.

Carl Sagan used that type of logic to bring the importance of the universe to our attention. He was right of course. And what an exponentially large chicken-andegg scenario!

As we roll up to the drivethrough window and order our morning cup of java, many of life's mysteries come to mind. Such as, did they get my order right this time; does God have a sense of humour (he created the platypus after all), and where do I park?

Okay, so these aren't very mysterious or important in the big picture. But that's the key right there. We humans, unaware of just who or what created the universe, allowing us to scramble some eggs in the first place, aren't very deep thinkers on average. Sure, we're quite intelligent creatures, capable of complex calculations, formulas, economic principles and literary compilations. Unfortunately, there are times when our brains shut off, for no reason at all, during the course of a typical day, and we're reduced to Homer Simpsons - onedimensional cartoon characters, made to move by the whims of some omnipotent artist. Our thoughts turn to the weather, what we want in our coffee, and if we have our Lotto Super-7 ticket for Friday.

We flip through catalogues and stare at the tube when new plasma TVs go on sale. We flock to the grocery store, buying twice as many melons because they're half price. We are more concerned about the lives of Hollywood stars than our own friends, family and acquaintances.

I wonder if the universe was created for a mightier purpose than this.

I watched a show on TV Sunday afternoon, about NASA's probe that visited Saturn and sent back unbelievable images and data. The scientists were elated every time a minor course correction or burn went off without a hitch. In this scenario, here was a room filled with undoubtedly bright and dedicated individuals, furthering mankind in their very typical day at the office.

And the rest of the world goes about its business without noticing such accomplishments. We prefer to know the amount of fibre in our breakfast cereal than how many calculations it takes to send a probe one billion miles into our solar system.

Maybe that's how it should be. Specialists doing their special thing; billionaires making their economic decisions; politicians making sure everything is running smoothly at the top, and we low-level citizens, like ants, carrying that grain of food back to the queen.

Boy, I do hope God wasn't expecting more out of us two-legged mortals.

In the micro, we're quite accomplished, nurturing, friendly, compassionate souls, willing to do what's necessary for the common good (or at least that's how we'd answer any questions on an application form).

We run our fingers through our children's often sticky locks and give them a hug when they scrape their knees. We read them stories, about far-away planets like Saturn, exposing them to mysteries beyond our comprehension. We try to answer their 101 daily questions without being sarcastic or witty (I try, but it's very difficult to hold back my witticisms).

We take out the trash and make sure we're avid recyclers - doing our bit to help the environment and all.

My son received a telescope for his birthday and he's anxious to point it toward the heavens and find Saturn (or anything that looks really cool). While you really need a very expensive scope to locate some astronomical features, this humble beginning will whet his appetite.

To me, his existence is vital to the rotation of the planet and the motion of the galaxy. He means everything to me, just like all of my family members.

Perhaps, as his enthusiasm and knowledge grow, he will solve some of those galactic mysteries - not the ones that involve coffee, but the deeper, far-reaching questions that have plagued humankind since the beginning. Maybe he'll be the one - the pilot/astronaut who pioneers the first deep space mission.

Or perhaps he'll just keep questioning, and finding answers on his own to more earthly pursuits. Either way, I hope he doesn't end up on the proverbial hamster wheel and scrambles some eggs.

Yes, we humans are prone to mundane lifestyles and less than award-winning behavior. But perhaps it's just a phase, and our species is poised for greatness, the likes of which the galaxy hasn't seen in recent millennia.

Either that or Earth is just a lint ball on the poker vest of some supreme being.

Let's save our planet, our children and ourselves, so we can one day help save the universe!