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Allegory of the Universe -- Writer's Poke #215

Most scientists believe that the universe is expanding -- at rates that most people cannot comprehend. The current edge of the known universe can only be measured in billions of light years, which is something that I personally cannot wrap my head around.

Equally frustrating, the stars we see in the sky may or may not be there, may or may not still exist. By the time their light reaches Earth, all we're really witnessing is a twinkle to a distant (in both space and time) past.

We live in a vastness that most people acknowledge but never study. We perceive a reality that only exists in hindsight. Most of what is "real" cannot be known, cannot be seen.

Whereas Socrates premised that prisoners in his Allegory of the Cave could somehow be freed from staring at shadows that they mistook for reality, none of us will be able to escape the illusion of the Universe.

What role or function do you serve in the bigger picture?

"The universe is an intelligence test." -- Timothy Leary
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  1. UnknownMarch 18, 2009 at 9:46 PM

    Bret, truth is knowledge of things as they were, as they are and as they will be. We shall learn much in this life and if we had not learned much before we came to this life, we would not be where and who we are. Unfortunately we do not remember that. When we leave this life we shall continue to learn. Ultimately we will be out of this shadowy cave in which we now are. There is more to learn than is to be found in even the "best" universities.

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