ADBC: 44 – Deluded Frontiers and The Delusion of Intervention

Here’s the premise of the conversation.

Previously in the conversation: Whether you’ve given consumerism and materialism any thought, it will do you the world of good to tuck into my brother’s explanation of it and the moral dimension concerning them both. It is such a majestic piece of work, that really he owes us to write more on it. Terrific writing. From there he does a tremendous deconstruction of the armed forces. It’s not a tirade or a lashing out at them, it’s a thorough going over of what they are and why they are and whether their existence truly has merit. Superb writing. To conclude his episode in the conversation, he gave a refreshing perspective on different cultures and travel where a fulfilled life is concerned. The big takeaway I got from reading the whole piece was at least how thoroughly reasoned he endeavours to be where his views are concerned. When you see the outline of the reason you can understand at least why his position is how its stated and that should generate a response in seeing the reason for your own position. That’s an excellent part of the writing he offers. Enjoy it by clicking here.

Some really fascinating questions were sent my way from my brother. Do I have the capacity to do them in justice in my response?  Here goes:

Q – Please watch and consider this video. Please relate your experience of and evaluate your observations of the interweaving of faith and the human desires and imaginations about space travel. What are the similarities and differences between science (so called?) and science-fiction? Are they based on faith and do they exhibit religious devotion?

Religious devotion – interesting. I see religious devotion in almost every sphere of life that I look at after a while. The way people invest themselves into sport, into politics, into finances, into farming, into law, into teaching, into nursing, into catering, into cleaning … there is the capacity for religious devotion in virtually every sphere of life. Not saying that we’re creatures prone to religious fervour or anything – far be it from me to make such a suggestion.

So, this space travel thing. It’s always intrigued me why it takes up not just so much of the world’s attention with launches and all that, but also why it’s taken up so much money. Billions. For what? What drove it? The quest for what? How on earth was leaving earth supposed to inform us on how to live on earth?

I’m not surprised that science fiction has had such an impact on science. There’s this presentation of science as an earnest study that’s devoid of ideology. It comes across an austere investigation of the facts based on what can be observed and tested. The people are in uniforms and have apparatus that gives the impression that it’s all about being objective and factual and driven by those kind of things. So we esteem them highly because surely they could never be tainted with the weird and wild excesses and tendencies of religious faith. Surely not.

Religious faith, ideology, immaterial notions are clearly there in science whatever area. Whether it’s in the promotion of the “theory of evolution” or in what science is supposed to inform us about what is real and what is not – there are, as I observe it – such a dogged devotion to underlying narratives that are to propel the centrality of man and his capacity to be the arbiter of all things. It kinda explains how science fiction can be such a determining force in inspiring others when it comes to science pursuits.

There’s a lot to be said about the power of fiction. There’s also a lot to be said for how fiction is used to challenge and reshape what’s worth pursuing in life. The perspective of science being a force that challenged faith is a great vehicle through which that similarly religious zeal to promote the efforts of man and just what can be done is seen throughout not just science fiction. Consider texts like Frankenstein and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde. These are not primarily taught as science fiction in English literature classes, but their influence is similar on how people look at life because of the covert shaping nature of science fiction. What is human nature, what should it be? Who determines that – faith, religion? No, now that we’ve discovered what can be done in nature and to man and now we can look to what’s beyond the earth and make developments there by the power of science, let’s exercise that power and capacity with stories of what takes place there and impose the human story to discovering what’s out there in space – the final frontier. It’s not about studying what is and gaining a appreciation of it, it’s about what studying what can be shaped and directing energies and resources to that.

It is religious fervour. It is people investing their life into something that is underpinned with similar qualities that you see in religious settings. It requires the similar element of faith that plays a role in religious settings. But god forbid that we should ever dare oppose what science has taught us, what science gives us and what science can do for us. God forbid that we should question the nature of science and its efforts to impose its standards and values on life.

Q – What are your thought on the advice given not to get involved in another person’s fight, as related in the fable of “The Vultures and the Pigeons” (found here in a video or here in a relatively short read)? How do you feel it interacts with world politics?

Oh what an apt fable to send my way. Interesting advice to consider for the following reasons.

I am called to be a peacemaker – my understanding of that instruction implies the pursuit of what is right in relations between myself and others as far as possible with me. There’s an element of that being about the scope in which I already operate. There could, however, be an element where I’m positioned and located to engage in making peace in new areas. However, I don’t see that as a call to get involved in everyone else’s fight or the conflict of other parties as I see them. What’s also fascinating about this piece of advice is that as you build relationship with others there is a sense in which you’ll be embroiled in the conflicts they’re involved in especially if the party you’re connected to is affected by the conflict.

On the whole, though, I see the wisdom in the advice offered in the fable. Unless you’re dragged into the conflict through whatever means, it’s not in your best interests to poke your nose into the conflict of two other parties especially in the quest to resolve things. It’s particularly not in your best interests because by nature of conflict it suggests that at least one of the parties is prone to being about conflict and won’t take kindly to someone getting involved unless it is to back their cause totally.

As I process this further, there definitely appears to be great wisdom in gaining as much information on any conflict to see if there is any point in getting involved so as to save unnecessary pain and heartache. For example if a conflict is taking place in a workplace that I’m involved in and it affects the quality of the work then as far as possible I’d want to lobby to see that conflict resolved so as not to affect the work. In that setting, I appreciate self-interest is a big motivating factor in the matter, but there is a wider sense of the affect it could have on others.

With regards to issues going on in the world today, the issue of getting involved in conflict appears to be very messy indeed. There are those who would point to the arrangement that has happened in Northern Ireland or in South Africa and suggest that pressures from outside forces led to a resolution being reached. Yet even in those cases it’s been messy and there’s still a degree to which the “peace” made is tenuous and fraught with underlying issues that can easily build up tensions again.

Beyond that there are valid questions about the moral status certain countries take in imposing their values and views on others. That is to say, who are America or Britain to say how Russia or China should behave? And getting a collection of other countries to sign off on your resolutions to send in peace-keeping forces into others areas is as morally sound as being able to beat someone up because you have more mates with you. Reference to some document that makes an appeal to “universal human rights” isn’t worth the paper it’s written when patently there are only certain countries who take the document seriously already suggests those rights are not as universal as touted.

The only reference that can rightly deal with conflict, as I understand it at this time, is the appeal to a common legislative source. When it comes to conflict between countries it’s difficult to see who really has the legitimacy to get involved in the affairs of others especially with the reference to the agreed base on which any interaction could take place.

Q – What does bodily health mean to you?

Fascinating question. I recognise that my life is lived through this body. I appreciate that the better this body is maintained the better I can live and pursue the various exploits I have in mind. Bodily health is about how my physical features function – that includes mobility, breathing capacity, sensory capability, stamina and physical strength among other aspects. There’s how heavy I feel in different areas of my body and how much fat I notice in certain areas of my anatomy.

My experience has seen a connection and relationship between the state of my mental health and the physical conditioning I apply. That’s not to suggest that if I’m physically sick either through injury or disease my mental health is shot to pieces. It is to suggest that when I’m not mentally at my peak that will tend to express itself in the mistreatment of my physical condition usually through an ill-advised intake of foods that are not designed for my wellbeing particularly in that quantity and consumed at a particular time. I can likewise refer to times where implementing and maintaining better intake of foods and more intentional physical activities it has a great  effect on my approach to the things I enjoy doing in life.

Bodily health is important, but it’s not always a pressing priority to me. It takes me some experiences to catch up on the need to at least operate on a decent level of maintenance of bodily wellbeing. I’m often caught up on other priorities to truly consistently maintain the physical element of things.

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Intriguing set of questions for this episode. Many thanks for that, bro.

Here are some questions for you:

Q – The creation account in Genesis includes the call for mankind to subdue the earth – please share more of your thoughts on what it is to subdue the earth.

Q – “Men and women will always struggle for power over each other.” Do you agree with this statement as a general observation of the gender interaction? What are your views on the most effective way that men and women can coexist?

Q – “Politics is a reflection of human nature – people get the leaders that reflect themselves especially in a democracy.” What are your thoughts on this comment?

My brother, I endeavour not to take this conversation for granted. It’s a precious part of my life at this time for the opportunity it gives me to explore areas that I may only scratch the surface about. This is down to your diligence and excellence, dear Hesediah. Thanks for your time.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden