Pack Creek Ranch, San Juan County, Utah
January 2025 – mild winter weather continues – cold, clear, calm nights – early morning moonlight makes for fine dawn walking.
WHAT I BELIEVE BUT CAN NOT PROVE
I believe that there is life elsewhere in the universe.
Even intelligent life.
I know that there is clear evidence that the basic building blocks of life exist out there – within our galaxy and beyond. I know that life on Earth exists in infinite forms, so the odds are that something like us exists out there.
Since 1984 SETI (The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) has employed all the scientific tools available to ascertain any evidence of intelligent life in our cosmos.
So far, none has been found.
Still, I still believe that it is out there – there’s just no proof.
Not yet.
I believe in the existence of parallel universes.
In my imagination, the ultimate reality is like an infinite sheet of bubble wrap. The bubbles are not connected. Not yet.
And the idea is way beyond proof. So far.
I believe in posthuman evolution.
There is factual evidence that homo sapiens have evolved across history from primitive forms into creatures like us. And I believe that will continue well beyond now.
Science concludes that the Earth will be burned up by a dying sun in billions of years and where this blue ball once was, there will be only empty space.
Science also notes that 99.9 percent of all living creatures that once existed are now extinct. But their genes, DNA, and RNA continue to evolve into new forms.
I believe these speculations will come true.
But I have no proof.
I believe that the way I look at my existence – my attitude – shapes my existence and makes the present even more precious.
Of that, I do have proof.
I believe that there is no intrinsic meaning to life – except what I am willing and able to give it.
But I could be wrong.
Caveat: My beliefs are always framed by two lines of thought.
A bumper sticker on a pickup truck in Santa Fe that said: “Don’t believe everything you think.”
And an admonition I’ve often read in articles on science:
“Absence of proof is not proof of absence.”
Enough.
Onward.