[ExI] What do the stars make an astrophysicist feel?

[spike at rainier66.com]

-----Original Message-----
From: extropy-chat <extropy-chat-bounces at lists.extropy.org> On Behalf Of BillK via extropy-chat
Subject: [ExI] What do the stars make an astrophysicist feel?

Starts With A Bang — November 11, 2022       Ethan Siegel

We're used to scientists telling us about the math and physics behind astronomical events. But what does studying space make us feel?

<https://bigthink.com/starts-with-a-bang/stars-astrophysicist-feel/>
Quote:
We are all limited creatures, struggling to make the right decisions, find meaning to our existence, and to leave the world a better place than we found it. Yes, there’s no evidence that there’s anyone out there watching over us, looking out for us, or coming to save us from ourselves. But there’s something tremendously hopeful about that, too:
it means in all the Universe, as far as we know, we have only one another to be kind to, or to receive kindness from. Whenever I reach that point, as I look up at and ponder the vast expanse of deep space, I know it’s been time well-spent.
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Inspiring article!

BillK

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Bah.  Feel schmeel.  Give me an EQUATION to solve.  

{8^D

Oh BillK, I can soooo relate to that article, thx.  Regarding those things we are struggling to do, astrophysics is useless in all three:

1.  struggling to make the right decisions?  Astrophysics points out that it is irrelevant what we do down here.

2.  find meaning to our existence?  Astrophysics assures us there isn't any meaning to our existence.

3.  Leave the world a better place?  Astrophysics doesn't have a variable for "better" and demonstrates better or worse is undefined.

Yet, somehow... I find all three of those as oddly reassuring.  I am weird that way.  It also motivates me to be kind to others, for we lifeforms are the only sonsabitches we have, no one else out there to be kind to.  We hafta squander all our kindness right here on this planet.

Astrophysics is way cool in its own right.  Thanks for the article BillK!

spike