I notice that my investigations of truth often involve jumping from the microcosm to the macrocosm, looking for patterns, hoping one might help explain the other. Viewed either through a microscope or telescope, we behold an incomprehensibly complex universe; and then we discover the same complexity when zooming in on ourselves. I splash some water on my face, giving no thought to the billion trillion synapses behind those eyes. And then the way those synapses interface with a heart, a liver, a hand? OMG.
Then I think of that popular Muslim saying: “God is great”. Truer words could not be spoken, right? It seems safe to assume that the creator is always more advanced than the creation; and a quick survey of any part of this creation leaves us awed and flabbergasted. It’s basically miracles all the way down.
But here’s where it gets really weird. Strategically situated between the miracle of the cosmos and the miracle of the quantum realm is us. The fact that we apparently evolved from a primordial slime makes us no less miraculous; it just adds another layer of incredibleness to our situation. Here we find ourselves, mini-gods walking around in monkey bodies; the miracle of our inner life – the synapses, nerves, thoughts, and feelings – equaling the miracle of our surroundings.
So yeah, God is great. She’d have to be.
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So, after thinking globally, how can I act locally? I just read a post about dumpsters full of valuables that appear at the University after every graduation. My response may get censored, so here it is:
Maybe I’m an oddball, but this gets me riled up. In the sustainability game, “reuse” is the lowest hanging fruit, yet here, in our supposedly “woke” town, virtually no effort is put into diverting this stream of perfectly usable, even high quality, “garbage”.
I understand the dynamics: a 22-year-old graduate has a lot on their mind; and it was their parents who bought the stuff. But, in contrast to the rest of the town, the University has the infrastructure and staff to easily facilitate a “reuse program” – and, one would think, the social awareness to see the need and benefit of such a program.
I bemoan the lack of concern among young people regarding recycling in general – and no, I’m not imagining things. But what really mystifies me is why the University, witnessing the same thing every darn semester, chooses not to lift a finger to solve the problem. Whatever else you’re teaching at the University, you should teach kids to recycle.