Starry Messenger: Cosmic Perspectives on Civilisation

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One of the simplest equations in all of science is also the most profound: Einstein’s equivalence of energy ( E) and mass ( m): E = mc2. The small c stands for the speed of light—a constant that shows up in countless places as we unravel the cosmic codes that run the universe. Among a zillion other places that it shows up, this little equation underpins how all stars in the universe have generated energy since the beginning of time. The real problem arises when the sense of superiority applies not to an individual....but to an entire demographic. This can lead to war, genocide, and other atrocities. Tyson notes that fields of study like mathematics and physical sciences resist human bias, so are less susceptible to feelings of superiority. Tyson admits the researchers themselves can be racist, sexist, misanthropes. However, the scientists' prejudices won't be in textbooks, because published results MUST be reproducible to be considered valid. For astrophysicists, though, continuums are everywhere. Take color, for instance. We usually talk about the seven colors of the rainbow – red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. That, though, is a cultural convention. If we looked more closely, or took the time to develop a more sophisticated color vocabulary, we could easily identify thousands of colors. Or we could simply do away with conventional color terms and instead refer to specific wavelengths of light to describe an object’s color. For instance, in an example of the evolution of criminal trials, Tyson observes that some historic cultures let God decide guilt or innocence. So the accused might be pushed underwater; forced to walk through fire; have boiling oil poured on their chest; or made to drink poison. Those who survived must be innocent because God protected them. This type of thing eventually evolved to trial by crowd; trial by random individuals; then trial by a jury of your peers. Tyson points out that even this last method is far from foolproof because eyewitnesses are unreliable, and - worse yet - attorneys are trained to make their case regardless of the truth. I really enjoyed it. Dr. Tyson seems like an interesting guy to hang out with and talk about all sorts of things.

Of course, there’s a lot of history behind the social coding of gender. The Bible says that a woman shall not wear “that which pertaineth unto a man” and “neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment.” Failure to obey such commands has been severely punished down the centuries, too. When Joan of Arc was accused of heresy in 1431, it was her persistent cross-dressing that in part condemned her to being burned at the stake. Personal truths are what you may hold dear but have no real way of convincing others who disagree, except by heated argument, coercion, or force. These are the foundations of most people’s opinions and are normally harmless when kept to yourself or argued over a beer. Is Jesus your savior? Did Muhammad serve as God’s last prophet on Earth? Should the government support poor people? Are current immigration laws too tight or too loose? Is Beyoncé your Queen? In the Star Trek universe, which captain are you? Kirk or Picard—or Janeway? Scientific knowledge and human responses progressed over the centuries, and - in modern times - has advanced at lightning speed. Tyson provides some examples:

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The article also evaluates how the book is a stimulating and enlightening read that offers a fresh and original perspective on some of the most pressing issues of our time, and how it encourages us to embrace the power and beauty of science, reason, and curiosity, as well as the humility and responsibility that come with them. Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson doesn’t quite see it that way. Science can’t stand in for politics – functioning democratic societies have to debate their fundamental values at some point or other. But he does think science has a valuable contribution to make to those debates. Really no substance in this book. It’s like listening to a know-it-all at the bar ramble on about cramp that has no point. Earth harbors at least 8.7 million species9 of plants and animals, most of which are insects. This staggering diversity of life sprang forth from single-celled organisms four billion years ago. In this very moment a harmonic intersection of Earth’s land, sea, and air supports every one of them. We are all in this together. One genetic family on spaceship Earth.

Another example: he drones on and on about how bad the word “disabled” is, without recognition of what the word really is in reference to (think American Disabilities Act.) So there is a need for a term that describes people with special physical needs, If he doesn’t like the word “disability”, then propose another word, and don’t just be a pretentious finger-wagger. Between 1900 and 1930, the existence of atoms is confirmed; the range of flight extends from 120 feet to 5,218 miles; we learn to use radio waves as a source of information and entertainment; urban transportation shifts from horses to automobiles; cities are electrified; and cinema becomes a leading source of recreation.

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With crystalline prose, Starry Messenger walks us through the scientific palette that sees and paints the world differently. From insights on resolving global conflict to reminders of how precious it is to be alive, Tyson reveals, with warmth and eloquence, an array of brilliant and beautiful truths that apply to us all, informed and enlightened by knowledge of our place in the universe. Since antiquity, the subjects of truth and beauty have occupied the thoughts of our deepest thinkers—especially the minds of philosophers and theologians and the occasional poet such as John Keats, who observes within his 1819 poem “Ode on a Grecian Urn”:1

Another example of human bias not verified by science is the tendency to look down on others. Tyson observes, "Some people feel better when they believe other people are less than they are, in any way they value, which could include wealth, intelligence, talent, beauty, or education. Add strength, speed, grace, agility, and endurance and you've compiled most of the ways people persistently compare themselves to others." Tyson notes that the Olympics owe their existence to the search for people who perform faster, higher, and stronger among us....and things like game shows and beauty contests also result from the urge to compete (and hopefully come out on top). Far beyond wine truths, and close cousins of personal truths, are political truths. These thoughts and ideas already resonate with your feelings but become unassailable truths from incessant repetition by forces of media that would have you believe them—a fundamental feature of propaganda. Such belief systems almost always insinuate or explicitly declare that who you are, or what you do, or how you do it, is superior to those you want to subjugate or conquer. It’s no secret that people will give their lives, or take the lives of others, in support of what they believe. Often the less actual evidence that exists in support of an ideology, the more likely a person is willing to die for the cause. Aryan Germans of the 1930s weren’t born thinking they were the master race to all other people in the world. They had to be indoctrinated. And they were. By an efficient, lubricated political machine. By 1939 and the start of World War II, millions were ready to die for it—and did. It’s therefore no surprise that the God or gods we worship tend to occupy high places, if not the sky itself. Or we perceive high places as closer to God—from mountaintops to puffy clouds to the heavens. Noah’s ark settled atop Mount Ararat, not on the edge of a lake or river. Moses didn’t receive the Ten Commandments in a valley or on the plains. They came to him atop Mount Sinai. Mount Zion and the Mount of Olives are holy places in the Middle East, as is the Mount of Beatitudes, the likely location of Jesus’s famous Sermon on the Mount.4 Mount Olympus was a high place above the clouds, crowded with Greek gods. Not only that, altars tend to be built in high, not low, places, with Aztec human sacrifices, for example, typically held atop Mesoamerican pyramids.5

From the book:

Bringing his cosmic perspective to civilization on Earth, Neil deGrasse Tyson shines new light on the crucial fault lines of our time—war, politics, religion, truth, beauty, gender, and race—in a way that stimulates a deeper sense of unity for us all.

Endowed by methods and tools of inquiry refined over the centuries, scientists may be the exclusive discoverers of what is objectively true in the universe. Objective truths apply to all people, places, and things, as well as all animals, vegetables, and minerals. Some of these truths apply across all of space and time. They are true even when you don’t believe in them. Alternately admiring and critical, unvarnished, and a closely detailed account of a troubled innovator.A wave of legislation reflected this shift in perspective. Between 1968 and the last Moon mission in 1973, nations around the world began passing laws regulating the emission of industrial pollutants and the use of ecologically devastating pesticides like DDT. New agencies tasked with safeguarding natural resources and preventing overfishing sprung up. The United Nations, meanwhile, began observing Earth Day – an international demonstration of support for environmental protection. One day, a couple of intrepid cave dwellers consult their elders. They want to see what lies beyond. The elders are wise – you don’t live long enough to become an elder without accumulating a little wisdom, after all. They weigh the matter, and ponder the risks and rewards. No, they say – there are more pressing issues. Exploration can wait. And so the group remains in its cave, working out its cave problems. If you enjoy learning scientific facts and thinking rationally and challenging your beliefs, this is the book for you. It's not very long, though even if it was it still wouldn't have been long enough for me.