A NEW MILLENNIUM

JOSEPH P. FIRMAGE COPYRIGHT MAY 1999

INTERNATIONAL SPACE SCIENCES ORGANIZATION

PART I: THE 20TH CENTURY: A FULCRUM IN HUMAN HISTORY

What does one write a o!t when one rea"i#es that the "!n$ o% o!r &"anet 'an one da( e &ier'ed ( h!)anit( as we e$in to *o(a$e to other wor"ds+ What does one sa( when one %irst i)a$ines that a starshi& 'a&a "e o% na*i$atin$ the o'ean o% S&a'e )a( e'o)e a rea"it( in his "i%eti)e+ What does one 'hoose to re"ate when one stares a'ross the !"ti)ate %rontier, now o&en+ So)e ha*e s!$$ested that i% I rea""( e"ie*e in s!'h ideas, and with the rea'h o% s!'h a "ar$e a!dien'e, I sho!"d 'o))ent on wor"d a%%airs o% the )o)ent, s!'h as the 'on%"i't in E!ro&e, the de'a( o% the en*iron)ent, or the tra$ed( in -itt"eton. I 'an indeed 'o))ent on these iss!es, !t )( tho!$hts wi"" e rie%, %or their 'o))on !"ti)ate answer "ies !nderneath %ar )ore %!nda)enta" .!estions than o!r )edia as/s o% !s. I ha*e had a )ost !se%!" e0&erien'e re'ent"( whi'h 'an add to the de&th o% )( tho!$hts on the 'on%"i't in E!ro&e. In*ited ( the 1.S. 2e&art)ent o% 2e%ense to *isit a n!) er o% )i"itar( insta""ations, I s&ent se*era" da(s $ainin$ a )eas!re o% o!r %athers, )others, rothers, sisters and 'hi"dren in the Ar)ed For'es. Tho!$h ha*in$ to de&art &rior to *isitin$ o!r 3a*(, I s&ent a o!t a da( ea'h with senior o%%i'ia"s at the Penta$on, Coast G!ard, Ar)(, Marines, Air For'e, and 1.S. S&a'e Co))and. At ea'h "o'ation, de)onstrations o% 'a&a i"ities were &resented to a %ew do#en o% !s "eaders o% 'i*i"ian "i%e, as &art o% the 45nd 1.S. )i"itar(6'i*i"ian orientation 'on%eren'e. What I saw i)&ressed )e. I )et wonder%!" indi*id!a"s en$a$ed in tas/s in whi'h the( e"ie*e stron$"(, &er%or)in$ re)ar/a "( e%%i'ient"( and with !n%"in'hin$ inte$rit(, dedi'ation, and s/i"", es&e'ia""( $i*en the &a"tr( wa$es, a$in$ in%rastr!'t!re, and arthriti' 'harters o% their s!rro!ndin$ instit!tions. I saw or$ani#ations seasoned thro!$h a 'ent!r( o% tota" war, ha*in$ s!''eeded in and re)ainin$ 'o))itted to the &reser*ation o% the %reedo) o% a $reat nation. O!r Ar)ed For'es re&resent a we"" %or)ed 'oi" 'a&a "e o% s&rin$in$ %or'e a'ross the wor"d and stri/in$ with aweso)e &ower. In the 'o!rse o% )( *isits with h!ndreds o% &eo&"e in'"!din$ do#ens o% senior $enera"s 7none o% who) wo!"d "i/e"( ha*e had a''ess to other 8)ore e0oti'8 in%or)ation in whi'h I ha*e an interest9, I 'a)e awa( i)&ressed ( the so&histi'ation o% o!r s(ste) o% &rote'tin$ o!r set o% e"ie%s and wa( o% "i%e. For as "on$ as is ne'essar(, o!r Ar)ed For'es sho!"d e0ist as s!'h and e o&erated with 'are and wisdo), the 'hara'ter %or whi'h I ha*e indeed seen in their "eadershi&. :!t the .!estions o% the 'harter o% o!r Ar)ed For'es and res!"tin$ ;!sti%i'ations %or their !se are iss!es with %ar "ess 'ertain 'on'"!sions at this !ni.!e ti)e !&on o!r s)a"" &"anet. Ha*e we not "earned that the a&&"i'ation o% %or'e to i)&a't a &o&!"a'e whi'h is !n'on*in'ed o% reasona "e ;!sti%i'ation $i*es irth to %!t!re terroris)+ We ha*e een e) roi"ed in 'on%"i't in E!ro&e e'a!se o!r internationa" s(ste)s o% $o*ern)ent do not &resent"( &ossess the *ision to i)&"e)ent a sta "e $"o a" so'iet( o% &eo&"e &assionate a o!t the 'on'e&t o% peace within diversity. H!)anit( does not (et see the tota"it( o% its 'o))on ond. We do not !nderstand that ea'h o% !s is the sa)e %or) o% ani)a" re$ard"ess o% o!r indi*id!a" &h(si'a" traits, e"ie%s, or '!sto)s. We do not !nderstand that e*en o!r 'o))ona"it( in s&e'ies is insi$ni%i'ant in 'o)&arison to o!r 'o))ona"it( with a"" thin$s in the Cos)os. We do not rea"i#e that a"" %or)s in the Cos)os are si)&"( &atterns o% ener$(, or &atterns o% 8force in mo ion8. We do not see that the on"( tr!e re"i$ion is one o% whi'h e*er( ein$ within the Cos)os is o *io!s"( a"read( a )e) er. Instead o% worshi&in$ o!r di*ersit(, we 'hoose to e*is'erate it, 'on*in'ed that 8)( $od is etter than (o!rs8, when it is o *io!s that God is 'o))on to a"" thin$s. We<*e !i"t )assi*e s(ste)s to irradiate ea'h other, in%e't ea'h other, and shoot "ead into ea'h others< odies e'a!se we<*e 'hosen to hate o!r di%%eren'es. We are see)in$"( in'a&a "e o% en*isionin$ and tea'hin$ a 'o))on s(ste) o% ethi'a" %!nda)enta"s that 'an s&an a'ross a"" %aiths, s'ien'es, '!"t!res and s&e'ies.

INTERNATIONAL SPACE SCIENCES ORGANIZATION

MAY !"""

#OSEPH P$ FIRMAGE

PAGE 2

H!)anit( as a s(ste) re%!ses to in*est its wea"th a'/ into its (o!th and its Earth. We are wi""in$ to s&end a .!arter tri""ion do""ars a (ear on Ar)ed For'es &re&ared to ta'/"e s()&to)ati' 'rises whi"e not seein$ that a %or'e o% s!'h s'a"e and so&histi'ated o&erationa" &rowess 'o!"d e 'hartered anew as an or$ani#ation %or wor"d ed!'ation and &ea'e%!" assistan'e, stri/in$ at the heart o% root 'a!ses o% h!)an &ain. And it 'o!"d e done with the $reatest &ride, as an or$ani#ationa" %irst ste& towards total social experience of Space and Earth. 2oes this )ean that I ar$!e in eha"% o% a 8&a'i%ist8 so'iet(+ Of co%r&e, and as a $oa", not si)&"( a *ision. P"ease, te"" )e what other /ind o% wor"d (o! wo!"d &re%er to "i*e in+ Te"" )e o% a wea&on s(ste) we ha*e )ade whi'h wi"" not !"ti)ate"( %a"" into the hands o% a terrorist+ How )an( )i""ions o% death warrants ha*e a"read( een th!s sea"ed+ For a"" the &owers o% o!r Ar)ed For'es, I "earned one %a't %or 'ertain on )( tri& a'ross the ran'hes o% o!r )i"itar(= they will never be able to eliminate the increasingly potent threat of a single fearful individual (let alone nation) e.!i&&ed with 'n( te'hno"o$( o% )ass destr!'tion, o tained %or the ri$ht &ri'e. H!)ans do not (et &o"iti'a""( or so'ia""( !nderstand that 8tr!th8 and 8"o*e8 are principles of conscious evolution, and *io"ation o% these &rin'i&"es wi"" rin$ ine*ita "e 'onse.!en'e. We there%ore do not &rea'h %ro) o!r !""( &!"&its that )e'ce is the !"ti)ate &ower and the !"ti)ate idea". H!)anit( 'ontin!es to instit!tiona"i#e 'on%"i't and !n rid"ed 'o)&etition. Grad!atin$ e(ond the da(s o% !sin$ 'hains and ro&es to ind "i) s, we now ha*e )ade in*isi "e and e"e'troni' the e*iden'e o% ens"a*e)ent and waste %ro) o!r 'o)&etiti*e a'ti*it(, '!ttin$ e*er "ower into the tree o% the ios&here. We are $o*erned ( an in'reasin$"( 'ons'io!s s(ste) o% e'ono)i's whose $eneti' &riorities are !n o!nded ( 3at!re. Whi"e ri""iant"( or$ani#in$ h!)an a'ti*it( with a 'ertain de$ree o% %reedo), it is not a se"%6 s!%%i'ient '('"i'a" s(ste). What in*estors ta/e %ro) the Earth thro!$h o!r 'or&orations is not ein$ ret!rned to the Earth. This wi"" sto& ( o!r hand, or Earth<s, within one $eneration. With !tter disre$ard %or tr!th, we 'on*in'e o!rse"*es that 8)edia do not in%"!en'e8 o!r eha*ior. S!'h !tter nonsense. And so we tr( to a''!se, 'ensor, i)&rison, and &ena"i#e rather than a''e&t the res&onsi i"it( o%r&e*+e& that 'o)es with the !nderstandin$ o% a asi' &h(si'a" tr!th= e*er( a'tion is the res!"t o% its histor(. E*i" interna" to a so'iet( is so '"ear"( e*iden'e o% the (o!th or &o*ert( o% its s(ste)s o% se"%6 ed!'ation. What are we "e%t with %ro) a"" o% this+ Crises e*er(where, dri*en ( de%i'ien'ies and 'on%"i'ts a)on$ h!)an ethi'a" %!nda)enta"s. Israe". Ira.. Rwanda. 3orthern Ire"and. >oso*o. -itt"eton. An(town. What sho!"d we do a o!t Sadda) H!ssein+ >oso*o+ What )!st we do to &rote't the 'hi"dren o% the ne0t -itt"eton+ Sho!"d we !i"d )ore &risons+ Sha"" we restri't 'i*i" "i ert(+ Sha"" we !i"d a hea*ier $o*ern)ent+ Sha"" we instit!tiona"i#e 'ensorshi&+ Sha"" we ai) %or a so'ieta" idea" that e*en 'onte)&"ates the need to stret'h the e(es o% s!r*ei""an'e into e*er( dar/ 'orner and $reen %ie"d+ No. We )!st %o'!s o!r $"o a" a$enda on one ai)= indi*id!a" 'han$e. I% indi*id!a"s 'an destro( ios&heres, then we )!st ai) %or a so'iet( in whi'h indi*id!a"s ne*er 'hoose e*en to 'onte)&"ate s!'h horrors, "et a"one a et or 'a!se the). This is wh( s&irit!a"it( and ed!'ation are 'entra" rit!a"s o% "i%e $oin$ %orward, as te'hno"o$( ta/es !s to the stars. We )!st ai) the &ri)ar( thr!st o% o!r %or'e towards a &ro%o!nd 'han$e o% indi*id!a" e"ie%s, and %i$ht others with *io"en'e on"( in se"%6de%ense. S!&&ortin$ others to %i$ht %or the)se"*es is, in iso"ated and )ana$ed 'ir'!)stan'es, ne'essar(, !t only individual change in symphony wi"" a"ter the tra;e'tor( o% a so'iet(.

INTERNATIONAL SPACE SCIENCES ORGANIZATION

MAY !"""

#OSEPH P$ FIRMAGE

PAGE ,

It is a %air .!estion to as/ %or a $"i)&se o% the )oti*e that 'o!"d &ossi "( e so &ower%!" as to 'a!se )ass indi*id!a" 'han$e to&&"in$ a!thoritarianis) %ro) the wor"d. It is eas( to re'o$ni#e that s!'h a )oti*e )!st a"so e0ist i% we are to 'ease the )ind"ess destr!'tion o% the an'ient tree o% "i%e that s!&&orts !s. What s(ste) o% e"ie% is $rand eno!$h to 'ohere the )ora" 'o)&ass o% i""ions o% h!)an ein$s at on'e+ The opening of the frontier of Space, and $"i)&sin$ what the hea*ens ho"d in store %or h!)anit(. The re*o"!tion that wi"" 'han$e h!)anit( %ore*er is soon 'o)in$ %ro) a "i/e"( &"a'e ? Cos)o"o$( ? and wi"" e i)&ressed !&on !s thro!$h the on"( &ro'ess that rea""( has "astin$ e%%e't ? ed!'ation. As the "i)its o% h!)an i)a$ination &"anted in 'e)ent ( 5@th Cent!r( &h(si's "i%t awa(, a new h!)an 'ons'io!sness wi"" swee& o*er the wor"d. For )( &art, I a) asse) "in$ this oo/ and )a/in$ a &otent %i"), thro!$h whi'h )i""ions o% &eo&"e )a( one da( see and 'o)e to !nderstand a asi' ethi' that is not wide"( ta!$ht ( o!r so'iet(= the utter mandate for unity in and worship of diversity. M( o ;e'ti*e is '"ear= &resent a swee& o% tr!e s'ien'e that wi"" so da##"e a (o!n$ inner6'it( 15 (ear6o"d and her $reat $rand%ather a"i/e as to trans%or) their *isions o% "i%e %ore*er, s!$$estin$ a tota" !nit( o% %aith and reason. :eha*iors "i/e a'.!isiti*eness and *io"en'e wi"" 'o)e to "oo/ "i/e what the( are= &ri)iti*e %oo"ishness, in 'o)&arison to the &ro)ise that we 'an now en*ision at the "eadin$ ed$es o% s'ien'e and s&irit!a"it(. THE MILLENNIUM WE FACE Most o% the &eo&"e %irst readin$ )( oo/ ha*e een drawn to it ( the 'ontro*ers( s!rro!ndin$ )( anno!n'e)ent o% e"ie% in the rea"it( o% the 1FO &heno)ena. I wo!"d ha*e &re%erred to attra't attention thro!$h head"ines other than as 8the Fo0 M!"der o% Si"i'on Aa""e(8 or 8We Wa'/o Wa"/s8. :!t I s!&&ose that is )( own %a!"t, %or in*estin$ si$ni%i'ant thr!st in )( %irst &rono!n'e)ents ehind a de ate that doesn<t deter)ine the %ate o% )( thesis. A %ew re&orters ha*e wise"( %i$!red o!t )( &oint that the 8Roswe"" .!estion8 is "ar$e"( irre"e*ant to )( "ar$er h(&othesis, as are .!estions o% an( 8'o*er6!&8. The entire de ate a o!t Roswe"" and the 1.S. $o*ern)ent 'an e iso"ated ( rea"i#in$ that on"( three 'ir'!)stan'es are &ossi "e to 'onsider, $i*en the %a'ts as I see the)= The First Possi i"it( 6 So)e &h(si'a" ET e*ent ha&&ened in the %orties res!"tin$ in o%%i'ia" re'o*er( o% )ateria". In this s'enario, so)e s)a"", .!asi &ri*ate !t o%%i'ia" or$ani#ation has "earned )!'h %ro) re'o*ered )ateria"s and &erha&s %ro) dire't 'onta't. :!t in the ear"( da(s, s!'h a $ro!& was so sha/en, or otherwise $i*en $!idan'e, that it was )oti*ated to )aintain this $reat se'ret, %or the reasons (o!<"" hear %ro) )e o*er the ne0t se*era" wee/s. The est e*iden'e I ha*e "endin$ 'reden'e to this s'enario is that I ha*e indeed had )an( %a'e6to6%a'e 'on*ersations with &eo&"e who ha*e he"d &ositions o% $reat si$ni%i'an'e within $o*ern)ent and s'ien'e who 'on%ir) the rea"it( o% 1FOs. As ti)e $oes on, I wi"" share with (o! what the( ha*e said to )e in &re'ise detai", to the e0tent the( ha*e $i*en &er)ission %or )e to re&eat what the( ha*e said. Most o% these &eo&"e ha*e indi'ated dire't"( or indire't"( that we are in &ossession o% re'o*ered )ateria"s. I% a de"!sion or ase intent e0ists thro!$ho!t A-- s!'h 'on*ersations, then no 8'rash e*ent8 o''!rred. I re)ain &ers!aded that it did ha&&en, and o&en6)inded one wa( or the other. The Se'ond Possi i"it( ? 3o &h(si'a" 8'rash8 or 'onta't e*ent o''!rred, !t the $o*ern)ent rea"i#ed that this &heno)enon was indeed .!ite tan$i "e, as stated ( no "ess a &erson than a %or)er Chair)an o% the Joint Chie%s o% Sta%% o% the 1nited States Ar)ed For'es 7a"on$ with so )an( other ri$ht, honest &eo&"e9= 8THE PHE3OME3O3 IS REA- A32 3OT AISIO3ARY OR FICTITIO1S8. That a"one is eno!$h to 'on'ei*a "( $i*e rise to a &o&!"ar 'rash 8)(tho"o$(8 a%ter B@ (ears o% Co"d War &ro&a$anda. Indeed, so)e resear'hers s!$$est that 8Roswe""8 was an inte""i$en'e disin%or)ation ta'ti' intended to inti)idate the So*iet 1nion. This is &"a!si "e, and in this 'ase, a 'o)&art)enta"i#ed set o% $!n 'a)era %oota$e, radar tra'/in$ re&orts or other s)o/in$ $!n e*iden'e has "i/e"( een st!died (

INTERNATIONAL SPACE SCIENCES ORGANIZATION

MAY !"""

#OSEPH P$ FIRMAGE

PAGE -

so)e !nidenti%ied !nit o% $o*ern)ent, and st!nnin$ 'on'"!sions rea'hed, ;!st as .!a"i%ied &ri*ate resear'hers "ater 'on'"!ded. The Third Possi i"it( ? The instit!tions o% $o*ern)ent were so %ri$htened ( their %ear o% the &! "i' rea'tion to !n/nown aeria" &heno)ena that the( )ane!*ered o!t o% the *ise 'reated ( the $rowin$ indi'ations o% their own st!dies e%ore the( were 'on*in'ed o% a rea"it( !nder"(in$ the &heno)ena. I% this is so, then the %ie"d o% 1FO resear'h, as de&ressin$"( tattered and disor$ani#ed as it is, is a )ost !n"i/e"( inte""e't!a" arrowhead %or the re*o"!tion o% the a$es. The est e*iden'e I ha*e in %a*or o% this s'enario is that I %ind the *ision o% o!r &resent nationa" &o"iti'a" and e'ono)i' a$enda so s&e'ta'!"ar"( "i)ited as to e irre'on'i"a "e with %a't!a" /now"ed$e o% an 8e0traterrestria" &heno)ena8. O!r o%%i'ia"s in hi$hest o%%i'e 'an<t ha*e it oth wa(s. Either there is a .!asi6&! "i' o%%i'ia" or$ani#ation o% e0&ertise in this &heno)ena or there is not. This is a so erin$ .!estion answered either wa( %or )e in &arti'!"ar, as (o! )i$ht with this &ers&e'ti*e $!ess. :e'a!se in the end, wh( does the .!estion o% $o*ern)ent /now"ed$e or "a'/ thereo% rea""( )atter+ I don't thin it matters much at all. There are unidentified flying objects in our skies, and ha*e een %or a "on$, "on$ ti)eC With that %a't $i*en as a 81@@8 on a 16to61@ s'a"e o% si$ni%i'an'e, a $o*ern)ent 'o*er!& wo!"d rate a&&ro0i)ate"( 1.1. In an( s'enario, I ho&e to e a "e to en$a$e with o!r wor"d "eaders on this s! ;e't within a %ra)ewor/ o% tota" )!t!a" res&e't. Peo&"e who sa( that there is a %o!rth &ossi i"it( ? 1FOs do not e0ist ? si)&"( ha*e not done their ho)ewor/. 8!"#s are impossible, and those who believe in them are nuts8 sa( the )edia. This "ine o% %i'tion ori$inates &ri)ari"( %ro) &h(si'ists ? the &resent $ods o% Western 'i*i"i#ation ? who e"ie*e the Cos)os 'annot e ta&&ed %or )o*e)ent or ener$( e(ond 3ewtonian &ro&e""ant. The a")ost6too6o *io!s iron( is )ade ittersweet when one rea"i#es that &h(si'ists den( the e0isten'e o% the on"( &aradi$) that wi"" e*er ;!sti%( a )assi*e so'ieta" in*est)ent in the do)ain o% their &assion. 1FOs e)&"o( the *er( %!nda)enta" &ower within S&a'e whi'h &h(si'ists see/ to !nderstand and ta&, (et )ost &h(si'ists not on"( den( the &ossi i"it( o% s!'h a dis'o*er(, the( &eer6re*iew awa( the )ere dis'!ssionC :!t, s'ien'e as a who"e, and 'ertain"( roader Western tho!$ht, is e$innin$ to rea"i#e that 1FOs are indeed &ossi "e, and that )ost &h(si'ists are si)&"( wron$. Consider the Ma(, 1999, iss!e o% 2is'o*er )a$a#ine. It 'ontains one o% ;!st a %ew e0a)&"es o% 'o!ra$eo!s ;o!rna"is) in &!rs!it o% the tr!e s&irit o% s'ien'e. The arti'"e des'ri es one o% se*era" &ossi i"ities %or $ra*it( )ani&!"ation &resent"( ein$ e0&"ored, this one at 3ASA. And the s'ientists en$a$ed in this wor/ are 'o!ra$eo!s indeed %or &! "i'"( sharin$ what the( ha*e "earned, )ain"( to the s'orn o% their !nin%or)ed &eers. Howe*er, the $od%athers o% &h(si's sti"" ho"d the $enera" )edia ra&t, i)a$ineerin$ se*era" new 8%!nda)enta" &arti'"es8 e*er( (ear to o"ster theories whi'h, howe*er 'orre't or )is$!ided, e*er( &h(si'ist /nows are a sent their tr!e, si)&"e !ni%(in$ %o!ndation. E*er(one en$a$ed in the h!nt %or the insi$ht that wi"" o&en the %rontier o% S&a'e, e*er(one who see/s the tr!e e$innin$ o% the S&a'e A$e, an(one who s!$$ests that so)ethin$ 8%!nda)enta"8 is )issin$ in !nder"(in$ &h(si'a" ass!)&tions !n'han$ed sin'e Ga"i"eo is "a e""ed a hereti' or a n!t, or is si)&"( i$nored. An(one who to!'hes !&on the idea that $ra*it( is not i))!ta "e is tainted ( s'orn. I wonder what )on/e(s thin/ o% :oein$ DED<s as the( %"( o*erhead+ What )(ths do )on/e(s i)a$ine 'on'ernin$ h!)an air'ra%t+ Wi"" one da( %!t!re des'endants o% the )on/e(s re;e't the &ossi i"it( o% h!)an 81FOs8+ I res&e't%!""( s!$$est to the instit!tiona" s'ien'e 'o))!nit( that !n;!sti%ied s'orn %!n'tions a''ordin$ to the sa)e 3ewtonian -aw whi'h (o! e"ie*e %ore*er i)&risons the i)a$ination o% the Cos)os onto the s!r%a'e o% its $arden wor"ds e*er(where. I% $ra*itationa" &ro&!"sion is e+er o ser*ed, do (o! rea"i#e how .!i'/"( (o!r s'orn wi"" re%"e't the "i)its o% (o!r &ersona" *ision, and in a %ew 'ases, inte$rit(+ F!rther, when it rea"i#es the i)&ortan'e o% re'ent st!dies on the tr!e &owers o% 'ons'io!sness, do (o! e"ie*e the &! "i' wi"" tr!st s'ien'e in its &resent %or) to re&resent and de%ine the &rin'i&a" *iew o% "i%e+

INTERNATIONAL SPACE SCIENCES ORGANIZATION

MAY !"""

#OSEPH P$ FIRMAGE

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:!t e*en this att"e is "ar$e"( irre"e*ant. What<s &resent"( tr!e is &resent"( tr!e, re$ard"ess o% what an( o% !s )a( e"ie*e. I e"ie*e that the Cos)os has a )ore ea!ti%!" i)a$ination than the &res!)ed "i)its i)&osed ( Ga"i"ean Re"ati*it(, 3ewtonian &ro&e""ant, and )ere"( rando) )e'hani's. I% )( wor"d*iew is e*en '"ose to ein$ 'orre't, e*er( tr!e s'ientist 7as I e"ie*e )(se"% to e9 wi"" one da( soon witness a $reat trans%or)ation, and wi"" e as enthra""ed and h!) "ed ( it as I ha*e een. 3o one wi"" sto& this &ro'ess o% dis'o*er(, %or too )an( are en$a$ed in its &!rs!it, !sin$ tr!e )ethods o% s'ien'e. And %or e*er(one who rea""( !nderstands the )eanin$ o% the ideas that wi"" soon e o&en"( dis'!ssed, e*er( &hi"oso&h( o% "i%e wi"" e$in to shi%t. E*er( &riorit( wi"" e wei$hed di%%erent"(. E*er( 'hoi'e wi"" e re'onsidered. 3o, the oo/ I 'ontin!e to asse) "e with )an( ri""iant 'o6a!thors is not a o!t Roswe"", or Y5>, or the e'ono)(, or 'on%"i'ts "i/e >oso*o. It is not a o!t a att"e with s'ien'e, nor is it at odds with an( )a;or re"i$ion. It is an ar$!)ent %or unity in diversity as a narrow path through to the grandest future we can imagine. An(one who has read the %irst dra%t &! "ished on the Internet /nows that this is )( &ri)ar( &oint. This oo/ is a "i*e, 'han$in$ re&ort on an !n%o"din$ dis'o*er( whose si$ni%i'an'e soars e(ond a"" others I /now, one that )a/es the tri*ia" 'on'erns o% e*er(da( "i%e )eanin$"ess ( 'o)&arison. M( oo/ is a o!t "oo/in$ o!t into the hea*ens at ni$ht and tr!"( sensin$ that the third di)ension is &ra'ti'a""( &er)ea "e ? *is'era""( %ee"in$ a sa'red de&th within the Cos)os ? where e*er( dot o% "i$ht is seen as a 'a)&%ire at a *ast"( di%%erent distan'e, to$ether en!)eratin$ 'o!nt"ess i""ions o% 8new wor"ds8 within o!r rea'h. It is in this 'onte0t that I ha*e 'hosen to write a o!t o!r ti)es here in 1999 A.2., and it<s hard to 'hoose what to write a o!t, %or there are so )an( &aths to %o""ow. Whene*er at a "oss, I %ind it he"&%!" to ste& a'/ and re$ain a $ro!nd within the tra;e'tor( o% h!)an e0&erien'e. MO/ERN CI0ILIZATION As )( %ather ori$ina""( wrote %or the introd!'tion to his se)ina" essa( on Christianit( 'ontri !ted to The Tr!th= Ri'hard P. M':rien, in his oo/ Catho"i'is), has re"ated in stri/in$ )eta&hor the radi'a" de$ree to whi'h h!)an histor( has 'han$ed in the "ast tin( %ra'tion o% o!r h!)an e0isten'e. He notes that i% the "ast %i%t( tho!sand (ears were di*ided into &eriods o% si0t(6 two (ear "i%e s&ans, weF*e en;o(ed ei$ht h!ndred "i%eti)es. 8Si06h!ndred and %i%t( were s&ent in 'a*es. On"( d!rin$ the "ast se*ent( "i%eti)es has it een &ossi "e to 'o))!ni'ate thro!$h the written word, and on"( d!rin$ the "ast si0 "i%eti)es has the h!)an 'o))!nit( had a''ess to the &rinted word.8 We tra*e"ed ( 'a)e" 'ara*an e%ore the Christian era, at a o!t ei$ht )i"es &er ho!r. This %or) o% tra*e" was 'o))on %or ;!st !nder ei$ht tho!sand (ears, !nti" the 'hariot, whi'h &!shed h!)an tra*e" to 5@ )&h. Stea) "o'o)otion o% the ear"( nineteenth 'ent!r( a""owed s&eed o% on"( thirteen )i"es &er ho!r, and the sai"in$ shi&s, e%ore and a%ter, were s"ower sti"". :( the "atter &art o% the nineteenth 'ent!r(, with i)&ro*e)ents in the stea) en$ine, we rea'hed s&eeds o% 1@@ )&h. As M':rien notes, it had ta/en )e) ers o% this ho)inid s&e'ies )i""ions o% (ears to e a "e to 'o))!ni'ate with ea'h other and tra*e" to ea'h other. Then, in a re*o"!tion d!rin$ the "ast &art o% the last one o% o!r ei$ht h!ndred "i*es o% the "ast %i%t( tho!sand (ears, we ha*e seen &"anes, ;ets, ro'/ets, and S&a'e tra*e" with astrona!ts and S&a'e 'a&s!"es and the 'a&a'it( to rea'h 3e&t!ne and one o% its )oons, and send a'/ 'o)&!ter6enhan'ed &hoto$ra&hs %ro) 'e"estia" odies at the ed$e o% o!r so"ar s(ste). And d!rin$ ;!st the "ast "i%eti)e, we ha*e seen the rise o% "itera'(, te"e$ra&h, te"e&hones, radio, te"e*ision, transistorsG and 'o)&!ters, )i'ro'hi&s, and the InternetG and radio te"es'o&es and S&a'e &ro es with the 'a&a'it( to send and re'ei*e )essa$es to the o!ter rea'hes o% S&a'e.

INTERNATIONAL SPACE SCIENCES ORGANIZATION

MAY !"""

#OSEPH P$ FIRMAGE

PAGE 1

Perha&s the )ost ha!ntin$ and e)oti*e o% a"" ad*an'e)ents in 'o))!ni'ations re'orded in o!r "i%eti)e are the i)a$es %ro) the H! "e S&a'e Te"es'o&e 66 h!)anit(Fs %irst '"ear6*ision e(e &eerin$ into the se'ret &"a'es o% the histor( o% the hea*ens. C"ear"( we "i*e in an i)&ortant ti)e. :!t what /now"ed$e o% histor( has the '!"t!re o% the 1nited States, the astion o% Western idea"is), "e%t in the )inds o% its 'hi"dren+ Instead o% M':rianFs (ardsti'/ o% ti)e at H@@ "i%eti)es in 45 (ear !nits, "et !s reso"*e %!rther to h!)an $enerations, %or si)&"i'it(Fs sa/e "etFs sa( a*era$in$ ;!st o*er 5@ (ears %ro) ti)e one $i*es irth to the ne0t. :( that re'/onin$, what is the state o% )ind o% o!r newest $eneration, the "ast in 5E@@ h!)an $enerations o*er B@,@@@ (ears+ Cir'"in$ re'ent"( on the Internet was a si)&"isti' !t wonder%!" answer to this .!estion, ada&ted e"ow. The &eo&"e who "e%t hi$h s'hoo" "ast s&rin$ a'ross the 1.S. were orn in 19H@. The( ha*e no )eanin$%!" re'o""e'tion o% the Rea$an era and did not /now he had e*er een shot. The( were &re&! es'ent when the Persian G!"% War was wa$ed. :"a'/ Monda( 19HD is as si$ni%i'ant to the) as the Great 2e&ression. There has on"( een one Po&e. Their "i%eti)e has a"wa(s in'"!ded AI2S. The( ne*er had a Po"io shot and "i/e"( do not /now what it is. :ott"e 'a&s ha*e not on"( a"wa(s een s'rew o%%, !t ha*e a"wa(s een &"asti'. The( ha*e no idea what a &!"" to& 'an "oo/s "i/e. Atari &re6dates the), as do *in(" a" !)s. The e0&ression 8(o! so!nd "i/e a ro/en re'ord8 )eans nothin$ to the). The( ha*e ne*er owned a re'ord &"a(er. The( donFt en;o( &"a(in$ Pa' Man and ha*e ne*er heard o% Pon$. The( "a!$h at the ori$ina" s&e'ia" e%%e'ts %or the Star Tre/ series ;!st re"eased when h!)an ein$s %irst "anded on the )oon. The( )a( ha*e heard o% an H6tra'/, !t 'han'es are the( &ro a "( ha*e ne*er a't!a""( seen or heard one. The Co)&a't 2is' was introd!'ed when the( were 1 (ear o"d. As %ar as the( /now, sta)&s ha*e a"wa(s 'ost a o!t I5 'ents. Ji& 'odes ha*e a"wa(s had a dash in the). The( ha*e a"wa(s had an answerin$ )a'hine. Most ha*e ne*er seen a TA set with on"( 1I 'hanne"s, nor ha*e the( seen a "a'/ and white TA. The( ha*e a"wa(s had 'a "e. There ha*e a"wa(s een ACR<s, !t the( ha*e no idea what :eta is. The( 'annot %atho) not ha*in$ a re)ote 'ontro". The( were orn the (ear that the Wa"/)an was introd!'ed ( Son(. The( ha*e ne*er seen -arr( :ird &"a(, and >aree) A d!"6Ja ar is a %oot a"" &"a(er. The( ne*er too/ a swi) &etri%ied ( the idea o% Jaws. The Aietna) War is as an'ient histor( to the) as WWI, WWII or e*en the Ci*i" War. The( ha*e no idea that A)eri'ans were e*er he"d hosta$e in Iran. The( 'an<t i)a$ine what hard 'onta't "enses are. The( don<t /now who Mor/ was or where he was %ro). The( ne*er heard the ter)s 8Where<s the ee%+8, 8I<d wa"/ a )i"e %or Ca)e"8, or 8de &"ane, de &"aneC8. The( do not 'are who shot J.R. and ha*e no idea who J.R. is. M.A.S.H., The Cos ( Show, The -o*e :oat, and Ta0i are shows the( ha*e "i/e"( ne*er seen. The( 'an on"( rea""( re)e) er readin$ a o!t one &resident. The( were 11 when the So*iet 1nion ro/e a&art and do not re)e) er the Co"d War. The( ha*e ne*er %eared a n!'"ear war. 8The 2a( A%ter8 is a &i"" to the), not a )o*ie. CCCP is ;!st a !n'h o% "etters. The( ha*e on"( /nown one Ger)an(. The( are too (o!n$ to re)e) er the S&a'e sh!tt"e "owin$ !&, and Tianan)en S.!are )eans nothin$ to the). The( do not /now who Kada%i is. The 3ew 2ea" is )ost "i/e"( a re ate on a new AW :eet"e. Aer( %ew ha*e %e"t dee& e)otion dri& %ro) the )e)ories o% the a so"!te 'o!ra$e and "oss o% Wor"d War II and the Ho"o'a!st. Fewer sti"" ha*e an( re'o""e'tion o% the tr!e histor( o% the Co"d War. A")ost none 'an &ersona""( re"ate the two Wor"d Wars to$ether, distin$!ishin$ or e*en re)e) erin$ their tea'hin$s %or the %!t!re o% the wor"d. The ter) a&&ease)ent doesnFt rin$ a e"" %or the). 3either do the( ad)ire Ch!r'hi"" as a hero, i% the( e*en /now wh( the( sho!"d.

INTERNATIONAL SPACE SCIENCES ORGANIZATION

MAY !"""

#OSEPH P$ FIRMAGE

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2o (o! %ee" o"d now, or (o!n$+ Re)e) er, the "!'/( %ew o% the &eo&"e who don<t /now these thin$s wi"" e in 'o""e$e this (ear. And in %o!r (ears, the(<"" e &art o% the wor/ %or'e. I ho&e 'o""e$e tea'hes the) we"". For a"" its wea/nesses, this new $eneration is the )ost innate"( 'ons'io!s o% a"" e%ore it. It has een arra$ed with the "o!dest, )ost, i$$est, ri$htest, stron$est, tastiest, %o!"est, est and worst that western )ar/etin$ 'an o%%er, a"" de"i*ered in THL so!nd, with di$ita" %ide"it(, on wides'reen, at E@@Mh# and at 5H.H> &s, or etter (et B4, or e*en etter, a )e$a it o*er a 'a "e )ode). To the o"der $eneration, i% (o! donFt /now what those words )ean, "et it e (o!r '"!e to the *ast, *a"!a "e and &otent new ad*an'ed '!"t!re now "ea&in$ !& on its own two %eet, as a s/e"eta" and ner*o!s s(ste) o% o!r %!t!re 'i*i"i#ation. 2es&ite a"" this noise, or &erha&s e'a!se o% it, this new $eneration is )ore resonant with the so%t, nat!ra", tr!e .!a"ities o% "i%e than an( e%ore it. Their '!"t!re re*ea"s it in the wa( the( ta"/, dress, eat, wor/ and so'ia"i#e. The( ha*e no desire %or war. The( ha*e an int!iti*e 'on'ern %or the)se"*es and the wor"d, a 'on'ern that "ea*es so)e de&ressed, others tota""( "ost and destr!'ti*e, so)e on a ret!rnin$ &ath to re"i$ion, and a %ew )oti*ated "i/e 'ra#( to sa*e the Earth %ro) h!)anit(. Most do not %ee" e)&owered in a so'iet( where the on"( thin$ that see)s to ha*e &ower is )one(. Their i)a$inations are st!nnin$"( 'reati*e, %or the( ha*e een no!rished on a diet o% e0traordinar( 8ed!tain)ent8 whose s! stan'e is now '"ear"( e(ond the 'o)&rehension o% their distant an'estors. Their to"eran'e %or di*ersit( is hi$h, and within a $rowin$ n!) er o% the), di*ersit( o% e0&erien'e is what is so!$ht, not %o!$ht. The( e0&e't to wor/ as e.!a"s on tea)s a)on$ %riends %or $enera""( 8$ood8 'a!ses, as "on$ as the( "i*e. How %ar so'iet( has 'o)eC Consider %or a )o)ent how ta"" we stand on the sho!"ders o% others. At the e$innin$ o% )odern ti)es, the rea'h o% Western 'i*i"i#ation was essentia""( "i)ited to so&histi'ated a$ri'!"t!re and trade. :( the end o% the se'ond )i""enni!), Western 'i*i"i#ation had trans%or)ed the M'o))!nit( &ri)ateN into an Mindi*id!a" e0&"orerN o% the Cos)os. Anthro&o"o$i'a""( s&ea/in$, this is sta$$erin$C We ho)o sa&iens ani)a"s ha*e 'o!ra$eo!s"( )a&&ed the $"o e and sa*a$e"( 'on.!ered what we )a&&ed. We 'reated instit!tions, 'onstit!tions, 'harters, and 'har$es that enshrined o!r *isions. In the 5@th Cent!r(, h!)anit( en$ineered e"e'tro)a$netis) ? "i$ht. We en$ineered 'o))!ni'ation. We en$ineered trans&ortation. We en$ineered e'ono)i's. We en$ineered entertain)ent. We en$ineered 'i*i"i#ation itse"%. We en$ineered wars, and we %o!$ht des&ots to &reser*e %reedo). We dis'o*ered new &owers o% the ato), whi"e not (et %!""( !nderstandin$ its &!r&ose or tr!e %!n'tion. We 'reated the )i"itar( ind!stria" 'o)&"e0. We e0a$$erated %ear. We 'onstr!'ted M!t!a""( Ass!red 2estr!'tion. We 'reated the 'ons!)er. We 'reated the statisti'. We 'a)e '"ose to destro(in$ 'i*i"i#ation, (et we &!""ed a'/ ;!st one ste& %ro) the rin/. It )a( e this "ast e*ent whi'h a''e"erated 8their8 a'tion. We then i)a$ined wondro!s s'ien'e %i'tion. We "anded on the Moon. We 'reated the 'o)&!ter. We 'reated the )ind o% h!)anit( ? the Internet. We de'i&hered 23A and e$an to 'onstr!'t %or)s o% "i%e. We e$an to write a o!t the )eanin$ o% s!'h re)ar/a "e e*ents, and i)a$ine the /inds o% %!t!re re*o"!tions (et in store. And a"" a"on$, o!r art has in%or)ed o!r %!t!re. This %o!ndation o% )odern dis'o*er( has e)&owered h!)anit( with the %reedo) to s'hoo" itse"% in %!nda)enta""( new wa(s o% "i*in$. The %irst Western $eneration orn into the 51st Cent!r( wi"" ta/e %or $ranted a wa( o% "i%e whi'h, to its an'estor $eneration 1@@ (ears ear"ier, wo!"d e 'o)&"ete"( %orei$n and )a$i'a". The 5@th Cent!r( has een a "a orator( %or h!)an 'i*i"i#ation as it %irst e'a)e "iterate in the te'hno"o$ies o% 8S&a'eti)e8. We 'an now re'o$ni#e that the "earnin$ a'.!ired within this "a orator( 'o!"d not ha*e een a sor ed thro!$h an( &ath other than e0&erien'e. And it is the 'o""e'tion o% these e0&erien'es ? the inno*ations, the 'on%"i'ts, the )o*e)ents, the ideo"o$ies, the &ersona"ities ? and their inter&"a( whi'h ha*e ser*ed to

INTERNATIONAL SPACE SCIENCES ORGANIZATION

MAY !"""

#OSEPH P$ FIRMAGE

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i)&rint o!r 'o""e'ti*e 'ons'io!sness ? the so!" o% the s&e'ies, the Cos)os in its e0&ression o% !s ? with %!nda)enta" "earnin$. What ro"e )i$ht this i)&rint ser*e+ I% h!)an 'ons'io!sness is a't!a""( now e)&owered to e*o"*e itse"% on a $"o a" s'a"e, as )ost &hi"oso&hers and )an( io"o$ists e"ie*e, then the "earnin$ &ro'esses o% the 5@th Cent!r( wi"" &ro*e to ha*e een a *ita" &re6s'hoo" ed!'ation %or a (o!n$ ra'e a o!t to "ea& e(ond its roots. The 5@th Cent!r( wi"" e re)e) ered as the %i") thro!$h whi'h h!)anit(<s 'ons'io!s e*o"!tion was %irst *iewed as a 'o""e'ti*e dra)a o% e&i' di)ension. -eadin$ %!t!rists are now &redi'tin$ *ast and %!nda)enta" re*o"!tions in the %irst &art o% the ne0t 'ent!r( ? re*o"!tions whose swee& wi"" e'"i&se an(thin$ seen in the &ast 1@@ (ears. Fro) )( &ers&e'ti*e, e*en these thin/ers ha*en<t $"i)&sed the s'a"e o% &endin$ 'han$e, %or new dis'o*eries at the root o% a"" s'ien'e ? Cos)o"o$( ? s!$$est a 1ni*ersa" wor"d*iew and a %!t!re whose rea'h a&&ear to e0tend e(ond e*en the wonders &resented in )odern s'ien'e %i'tion. I e"ie*e the i)&rint in h!)an 'ons'io!sness "e%t ( the 5@th Cent!r( is a %or) o% &re&aration %or the i)&"i'ations o% this re)ar/a "e new %!t!re. A RE0OLUTION IN THE MA4ING Two "i)its !&on the !"ti)ate rea'h o% h!)anit( ha*e een in &"a'e sin'e A" ert Einstein<s S&e'ia" Re"ati*it( theor( was 'e)ented ear"( in the 5@th Cent!r(. First is a strai$ht;a'/et 'a""ed lightspeed= a 8!ni*ersa""( a''e&ted8 &ra'ti'a" "i)it on the rea'h o% a"" "i%e in tra*ersin$ the Cos)os. 2oes it not sho'/ (o! to "earn that the s&eed o% "i$ht is not a constant+ The s&eed o% "i$ht is a %!n'tion o% the .!ant!) *a'!!), and has een shown on )an( o''asions to e s! ;e't to 'han$e. Yet (o! do not hear the i)&"i'ations o% this %a't %ro) instit!tiona" &h(si's or the )edia, )ain"( e'a!se the( do not !nderstand the i)&"i'ations. Se'ond"(, and in a ro!nd6a o!t wa(, S&e'ia" Re"ati*it( a"so enshrined oth the a''!rate o ser*ations and ina''!rate 'on'"!sions o% a $reat s'ientist na)ed Ga"i"eo. He observed that 8o ;e'ts %a"" e.!a""(8 and concluded that no )atter 'o!"d 8%a"" !ne.!a""(8. In other words, )odern &h(si's set in stone at the e$innin$ o% this 'ent!r( not on"( the idea that the observations Ga"i"eo )ade were re&orted tr!th%!""( 7whi'h the( were9, !t that a"" conclusions stated ( Ga"i"eo were tr!e. We"", %or 1FOs to e rea", then it )!st e &ossi "e to *io"ate o*er6ha"%6)i""enni!) o"d s'ien'e thro!$h so)e %or) o% en$ineerin$. Is it so hard %or !s to 'onsider serio!s"( the idea that Ga"i"eo was not 'orre't in a 'o)&"ete and %ina" sense+ Is it not &ossi "e that s! se.!ent "earnin$s %ro) &h(si's 'o!"d etter in%or) Ga"i"eo<s, 3ewton<s, and Einstein<s o ser*ations+ Co!"d we not one da( "earn a wa( to )a/e o ;e'ts 8%a""8 in other dire'tions than down+ Is it i)&ossi "e a'ross the rea'hes o% the Cos)os %or an( ad*an'ed s&e'ies o% ein$s to ha*e dis'o*ered how to 'reate a $ra*iti' %ie"d e%%e't that shatters the "i)its o% 3ewtonian &ro&e""ant+ The &resent arro$an'e o% &h(si's is not "i)ited to 8n!ts and o"ts8 iss!es that 8;!st8 ho"d !s a'/ %ro) $oin$ to the stars. Perha&s e*en )ore dee&"( )eanin$%!" to the h!)an 'ondition, and to what we )a( !"ti)ate"( %ind 8o!t there8, is on$oin$ resear'h into the nat!re o% 'ons'io!sness itse"%. Cons'io!sness a&&ears to ha*e an inherent &ower to 'a!se %or'e at a distan'e (ie"din$ a"" sorts o% a)a#in$ 8ano)a"ies8, in'"!din$ o ser*ations o% io"o$i'a" se"%6hea"in$. Cons'io!sness )a( a"so e e.!i&&ed with an a i"it( to 8&ro;e't8 andOor 8sense8 tho!$hts 8non6"o'a""(8 7i.e. what is 'o))on"( derided as 8te"e&ath(89. Ph(si'ists re;e't these %indin$s too. Most ass!red"(, there is a "ot o% 8&se!do6s'ien'e8 nonsense &er%or)ed within these do)ains, as in all other domains of thought. :!t the )ost &ers!asi*e o% the st!dies that &oint !s in these dire'tions are ased !&on e0'e""ent s'ien'e ? s'ien'e in the tr!est tradition o% ra*e dis'o*er( with &re'ision re&ortin$. The rea'tion ( )an( instit!tions o% s'ien'e to the &eo&"e who re&ort these o ser*ations "oo/s indistin$!isha "e %ro) the eha*ior o% a %ri$htened Ch!r'h.

INTERNATIONAL SPACE SCIENCES ORGANIZATION

MAY !"""

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$%ll truth passes through three stages& first, it is ridiculed' next it is violently attac ed' finally, it is held to be self(evident)$ (( Schopenhauer :eneath the 8Good Mornin$ A)eri'a8 )enta"it( that %o'!ses o!r thin/in$ on the )ere instants o% )odern "i%e, and see&in$ aro!nd the o sta'"e o% arthriti' s(ste)s o% &eer re*iew, st!nnin$ re*o"!tions in tho!$ht are e)er$in$ %ro) near"( e*er( dis'i&"ine o% s'ien'e, histor(, and theo"o$(. These re*o"!tions are !ne.!i*o'a""( !nsto&&a "e, and wi"" ri&&"e o!t to a%%e't e*er( as&e't o% h!)an e0isten'e, and indeed the *er( $rowth and dire'tion o% the tree o% "i%e on this wor"d. I e"ie*e that the so'iet( 'reated d!rin$ the 5@th Cent!r( has esta "ished the %o!ndation %or the 'o)&"etion o% the &ri)ate<s destr!'ti*e des'ent %ro) the trees, in &re&aration %or the reesta "ish)ent o% a $arden on Earth, and a "ea& into %ar hi$her ran'hes o% Cos)i' e*o"!tion ? a "ea& into the hea*ens, a "ea& into S&a'e. Ci*i"i#ation stands at the ed$e o% a $rand and swee&in$ trans%or)ation, as )(ths o% the S&a'e A$e e)er$e to e'o)e 'enter sta$e rea" &ossi i"it(. As I stare onto this sta$e, I see a &eriod o% 'o""e'ti*e "earnin$ and 'han$e )ore intense than an( a'ross written histor(. I a) not a"one in en*isionin$ that we are a o!t to rea"i#e a sta$$erin$ and !"ti)ate &h(si'a" tr!th= the dis'o*er( that the !niverse is infinite ? that 8the :i$ :an$8 wi"" soon re%er to the so!nd o% the *anishin$ o% a &res!)&ti*e6 e'o)e6&rin'i&a"6 e'o)e6&rin'i&"e edi%i'e o% 5@th Cent!r( &h(si's. With a"ternate e0&"anations %or redshi%t and a'/$ro!nd radiation 'o)in$ into %o'!s, so)e o% the ri$htest astrono)ers and astro&h(si'ists in the wor"d are now winnin$ 'o*erts to an idea that is o *io!s to &hi"oso&hers= the 'a)&%ires we see at ni$ht are strewn a'ross an ocean of energy of infinite dimension, where )atter %or)ation and dissasse) "( wor/ in a $reat Cos)i' '('"e. Gi*en re'ent astrono)i'a" o ser*ations, we 'an see &erha&s the $reatest wea/ness !nder"(in$ the :i$ :an$ h(&othesis in ;!st one e.!ation, *a"id in the "an$!a$e o% )athe)ati's= *oes))) F(Big Bang) = Big Bang )))where " is any logical absolute frame of existence and + is our theory of ,osmologyCan the &hi"oso&her not de)and that &h(si's rin$ '"os!re to at "east one in%inite %!n'tion in a so"!te ti)e+ I as/ (o!, readers o% S'ienti%i' A)eri'an, does the :i$ :an$ h(&othesis &resent"( stand a 'han'e o% de%inin$ how it 'o!"d re&eat itse"% in &er&et!it(+ Wi"" we resort to a new 8!nder"(in$ or 'haoti' $eo)etr(8 to %!rther &rote't :i$ :an$ in%"ation+ Whi'h is )ore 8re&!$nant to the )ind8= a stead(6state Cos)o"o$( within one in%inite %!nda)enta" %!n'tion, or a 8 e$innin$ o% ti)e8 whi'h 8;!st ha&&ens %ro) ti)e to ti)e+8 .hat is the /ig /ang functionFor those with a &hi"oso&hi'a" or s&irit!a" &ers&e'ti*e !t a s'ienti%i' ri$or, the .!estion to :i$ :an$ 'os)o"o$ists is this= whi'h s(ste) o% e"ie% re.!ires the $reater de&enden'e !&on philosophical un nowables= :i$ :an$ Cos)o"o$( or Stead( State Cos)o"o$(+ Whi'h "ea*es $reater de)and %or an ar itrar( Creator e(ond the 1ni*erse as its own Creator+ :e honest. -et )e e0&ress a &ersona" o&inion= /ig /ang is bullshit. In the &"a'e o% the :i$ :an$ h(&othesis wi"" e)er$e the 'on'e&t o% an eterna" .!ant!) %ie"d o% 8%or'e8, whi'h %ore*er 'reates and e*o"*es the )atter s(ste)s o% an in%inite 1ni*erse. We wi"" "earn that the 1ni*erse has a"wa(s e0isted, and wi"" a"wa(s e0ist. It is a"" that is. It is its own %!n'tion. 3ew rea"i#ations won<t sto& at Cos)o"o$(, !t wi"" ri&&"e thro!$h the "a(ers o% s'ien'e !i"t thereon. We wi"" "earn that ener$eti' %or)s, or &atterns o% 8%or'es in )otion8, within the 1ni*erse e'o)e in'reasin$"( 'ons'io!s thro!$h ti)e, e*o"*in$ in sta$es %ro) what we 'a"" 8astro&h(si's8 thro!$h 8'he)istr(8 thro!$h

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8$eo"o$(8 thro!$h 8 io"o$(8 thro!$h 8'ons'io!sness8. We wi"" "earn that the "adder o% ti)e whi'h s'ien'e st!dies i& ' *'55er of '6'rene&&, and that ea'h s!''essi*e r!n$ is re&resented ( a s(ste) o% )atter with a )ore re%ined 8&er'e&tion8 o% ener$(. We wi"" "earn that ea'h dis'i&"ine o% s'ien'e st!dies one sta$e o% an inte$rated s(ste) o% 7ein8 with an in%inite n!) er o% &ossi i"ities. We wi"" 'o)e to "earn that the sha&e o% the do! "e6he"i0 o% io"o$( is %ar )ore %!nda)enta" than si)&"( a 'he)i'a" a''ident. We wi"" "earn that the he"i'a" &atterns o% )otion within a"" s(ste)s we o ser*e are e0&ressin$ a %!nda)enta" $eo)etr( o% S&a'e. The i)&"i'ations are st!&endo!s"( %ar6rea'hin$. On'e a$ain, the Earth wi"" e re)o*ed %!rther %ro) the 'enter o% a"" thin$s, and ho)o sa&iens< se"%6 &er'e&tion wi"" e'o)e re"ati*e"( s)a""er and a so"!te"( )ore si$ni%i'ant a)on$ the 8 I9&8 o% Cos)os. H!)anit( wi"" "earn (et a$ain dee&er insi$hts into its tr!e 3at!re, thro!$h 3at!re<s *er( own senses. As it a"wa(s has, the Cos)os within h!)anit( is "earnin$ o% itse"%, and is now e$innin$ to dis'ern how it 'an !n&"ant itse"% %ro) the ed o% its $arden on Earth. O!rs is the ti)e d!rin$ whi'h h!)anit( 'an 'o)e to see that the swee& o% e0&erien'e in its %!t!re "ea&s %ar e(ond e*en the i)a$ination o% its )ost )odern s'ien'e %i'tion. We "i*e in the era when o!r &"anet<s )ost ad*an'ed ein$s o% 'ons'io!sness 'an e)er$e into the o'ean o% in%init(, as a new"( )o i"e %ish %irst rea"i#es the sea within whi'h it wi"" "earn to swi) and $row. We a&&roa'h the ti)e when ho)o sa&iens ani)a"s "earn o% the %!nda)enta" %or'e whi'h %or)s !s and dri*es !s and a"" other thin$s onward, %ro) an in%inite histor( towards an in%inite %!t!reC With this /now"ed$e, a"" arti%i'ia" o!ndaries and "a e"s that now se&arate h!)an ein$s wi"" e'o)e distin'tions to *a"!e and %oster %or '!"t!ra" enri'h)ent, %or we are now in the !siness o% i)a$inin$ eternal life. Yes, a%ter e0tensi*e and 'ontin!in$ st!d(, s&annin$ histor(, s'ien'e, and theo"o$(, I ha*e 'o)e to 8 e"ie*e in 1FOs8, and that the swee& o% )odern s'ien'e %i'tion )a( not ha*e e*en e$!n to en'o)&ass what "a(s ahead %or h!)anit(. The 'ons'io!sness o% h!)anit( as a 'o""e'ti*e )ind is e$innin$ now to see the o!t"ines and sha&es o% its &endin$ re*o"!tions. The re*o"!tions share a 'o))ent root ? a dis'o*er( whi'h rea'hes to the *er( 'ore o% what it )eans to e0ist. As (o! wi"" rea"i#e in readin$ what %o""ows in "ater writin$s, the re*o"!tions in tho!$ht whi'h h!)anit( now 'on%ronts wi"" de)and the enhan'ed &er'e&ti*e s/i""s o% o!r (o!n$ $enerations. Their a'!te sense o% int!iti*e tr!th ? $i*en 'o)&ass ( the disti""ation o% e0&erien'e e0&ressed in so'ieta" art ? wi"" e a 'r!'ia" %a'i"it(. E.!a""( 'riti'a" wi"" e the /now"ed$e and seasoned ;!d$)ent o% their e"ders, whose $!idan'e wi"" e $i*en *oi'e thro!$h entertain)ent, s'hoo"in$, and 'on*ersation. To$ether, we<*e $ot a new /ind o% 'i*i"i#ation to e$in to i)a$ine, and on"( in &er%e't s()&hon( wi"" we e a "e to tra*erse these 'han$es with an( de$ree o% e.!i"i ri!). The re*o"!tions we 'o""e'ti*e"( %a'e wi"" de)and 'o)&"ete inte$ration o% the se)ina" "earnin$s o% the 5@th Cent!r(= the $randest i)a$ination o% the %!t!re in%!sed with the $reatest wisdo) $"eaned %ro) the e0&erien'es o% o!r &ast. I e"ie*e that (o! 'an stri/e the word 8%i'tion8 %ro) the 8s'ien'e %i'tion %antas(8 (o! are a o!t to witness %ro) Geor$e -!'as. The stor( is %i'tion, !t its "essons are tr!e, and the swee& o% its *ision is not outside of our reach. Thin/ a o!t that 'are%!""(. A /RUM ROLL FOR THE FUTURE: O!r &resent 'ir'!)stan'e )a( e .!ite s(n'hronisti', don<t (o! thin/+ I %ina""( %i$!red o!t a wa( to !nderstand s(n'hroni'it( si)&"(. A s(n'hroni'it( is "i/e (o!r "e%t hand and ri$ht hand 'o)in$ to$ether in an inter"o'/in$ e) ra'e= ea'h %in$er is a)a#ed at how the others 8;!st ha&&en8 to e set in the ri$ht &"a'e at the ri$ht ti)e, !naware o% the *ast"( $reater &ower that rin$s the) to$ether, %or a &!r&ose. A"" it ta/es to 'o)&rehend the )ethod o% s(n'hroni'it(, to !nderstand the tr!e &ower o% One F!nda)enta", and to )a/e the tr!th o% 8In%init(8 'o)&"ete"( o *io!s, is e"ie% in a $reater Force of Consciousness than (o!r own.

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We o ser*e an 8e"e'tro)a$neti' %or'e8. We o ser*e 8n!'"ear %or'es8. We o ser*e the 8%or'e o% $ra*it(8. We o ser*e that the .!ant!) *a'!!) o% s&a'e M%or'esN )otion in a"" )atter %or)s. We o ser*e a 8%or'e o% 'ons'io!sness8, even at a distance. I% )odern &h(si's sti"" retains its $ras& o% &hi"oso&h(, it wi"" see that it is des'ri in$ di%%erent eha*iors o% the sa)e Munified fundamental force0. I e"ie*e that s!'h a For'e IS.

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1es, these are the dog(days, "ortunatus& The heather lies limp and dead #n the mountain, the baltering torrent Shrun to a soodling thread' 2usty the spears of the legion, unshaven its captain, 3acant the scholar's brain !nder his great hat, *rug as she may the Sibyl utters % gush of table(chat) %nd you yourself with a head(cold and upset stomach, 4ying in bed till noon, 1our bills unpaid, your much advertised Epic not yet begun, %re a sufferer too) %ll day, you tell us, you wish Some earth5ua e would astonish #r the wind of the ,omforter's wing !nloc the prisons and translate The slipshod gathering) %nd last night, you say, you dreamed of that bright blue morning, The hawthorn hedges in bloom, .hen, serene in their ivory vessels, The three wise 6aries come, Sossing through seamless waters, piloted in /y sea(horse and fluent dolphin& %h7 how the cannons roar, 8ow 9ocular the bells as They Indulge the peccant shore) It is natural to hope and pious, of course, to believe That all in the end shall be well, /ut first of all remember, So the Sacred /oo s foretell, The rotten fruit shall be sha en) .ould your hope ma e sense If today were that moment of silence /efore it brea and drown .hen the insurrected eagre hangs #ver the sleeping town8ow will you loo and what will you do when the basalt Tombs of the sorcerers shatter %nd their guardian megalopods ,ome after you pitter(patter8ow will you answer when from their 5ualming spring The immortal nymphs fly shrie ing %nd out of the open s y The pantocratic riddle brea s : $.ho are you and why-$

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"or when in a carol under the apple(trees The reborn featly dance, There will also, "ortunatus, /e those who refused their chance, ;ow pottering shades, 5uerulous beside the salt(pits, %nd maw ish in their wits, To whom these dull dog(days /etween event, seem crowned with olive %nd golden with self(praise) (( !nder Sirius, <=>=, .) 8) %uden

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COMING SOON: PART II: THE 2!ST CENTURY: STARSHIP EARTH I= II= III= IA= A= AI= AII= The 2is'o*er( I)&"i'ations A&&"i'ations and Ris/s E0&erien'e Str!'t!res Cha""en$e The Choi'e

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On A&ri" 4th, 1999, I sent a si)&"e and !tter"( %!nda)enta" )essa$e to two o% the s'ientists I res&e't )ost. 3o res&onse has (et een re'ei*ed to this )essa$e. The te0t o% the )essa$e %o""ows 7with one or two t(&o 'orre'tions =9. 2o (o! thin/ s'ienti%i' &eer re*iew wor/s e%%i'ient"( and %air"( as it is &resent"( str!'t!red+

Dear [] and [], Hope you are both well. I understand there is an upcoming conference [in Washington D.C.] on science and religion. I would like to ask your and []'s sponsorship (privately implemented, if need be) to be given a one-hour slot to speak. You can be assured of a simple, clear, and scientific argument. If I make a fool of myself, then your posture against the UFO hypothesis would be strengthened, and my hand neutralized. If instead I make a cogent and sobering case, then the cause of truth would be advanced, would it not? As one last reason not to reject this request, I pose to you a question, one which the two of you are perhaps THE BEST qualified to answer, connected with each other through the vision which I share, CONTACT: If it is impossible in principle that real ET UFOs have been witnessed over Earth, then it is impossible in principle EVER to achieve the kind of Space exploration depicted in ANY science fiction dream beyond 2001: A Space Odyssey. We will never get to the stars in any meaningful way. Are you prepared to declare final judgment against the possibility that life at some point in the Cosmos can traverse it more practically than through Newtonian propellant? Only a SETI scientist would have the courage to answer this question honestly. With or without your support, I admire both of your visions tremendously. J O S E P H F I R M A G E Founder & Chairman ______________________________________ International Space Sciences Organization

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