“3 years ago, when I used to walk around, be driven around in a car, or just idling, I never cared much for how my activities affected the natural surrounding, the environment,” said he. “I was seeing, listening, doing whatever came to my mind, but now, it’s different. Someone else, who was observing nature (which was in his/her nature), brought it to my attention. That means all of us see this planet differently.”

“Or… said I, “We all see a different planet altogether.”

“That’s outrageous. Surely you don’t mean there are over 6 billion Earths!

“6 billion and counting.”

“You serious? Those guys, they went to the moon and saw just one.”

“They saw what their planet was. And they showed you what they saw. Have you watched those shows about weird people? Some call them paranormal lunatics. But they do amuse us. How? They are on the same planet, assuming your hypothesis, but then you should be amusing to him too, and you will be. It is only because the both of you perceive this reality differently or you are on different planets. You become the observer on his planet and he in yours.

“The same happens in this case. A tribal community believes the trees are becoming scarce and anticipate annihilation soon. The environmentalists who make sincere efforts to preserve and rebuild the environment think its going to get better. Today there are many thousands of groups doing just that, and now that you are aware of them, you too will notice that it is in fact getting better. The net result is- Man survives. Right now, global warming is the big problem and engineers world over are working on new fuels, engines, batteries. No effort has ever been made in vain.”

“So it is actually, knowing more and more that has made life possible?”

“I couldn’t agree with you more.”

“That is the purpose of our existence then?”

“I’d say a better purpose.”

“What do you mean? Purpose must mean singular, unless you stick to your original thought about the 6 billion earths…”

“Those carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen molecules suffered drastic changes over billions of years forming one organism after another. Assembling and reassembling constantly to what we can now call – Man. In 79 or 80 years, this man will chemically transform back into carbon. Its not that the carbon molecule was unhappy with Man, it just thinks it can do better next time. 80 years is practically nothing when compared to the billion years that it took. And 80 years is time enough to know more and more, understand more and more, and learn as much as possible. It is also very precious to waste on fulfilling lateral and temporal pleasantries that the senses sometimes turn our attention to. Its just distraction. When just enough is known to be able to make ends meet and more, there will come a time to think about reproduction and the search for compatibility will begin simultaneously. When found, the next generation is ready to form. This offspring will be a more evolved species; more efficient, faster, stronger, more symmetric, smarter… carbon’s latest.”

“It’s very nice to hear all that but it feels sluggish. A lot of people believe that since there is so little time let’s have as much fun as possible.”

“Don’t you think that fun is temporary? You start feeling so ennui when no one is around. You become more and more dependent on these external things. You will argue that there could be time allocated for fun and time for seriousness, but then you will perform only when asked to—more dependence. You start wondering what another might think of your doing. Such pretense. You even claim to be enjoying freedom. It feels like watching a circus that is soon to go bankrupt.”

“Now you are just making it dull.”

“I am not asking you to change your ways. I am only bringing to your attention, the virtually pointless idea of being ruled by your senses. It appears even more pointless when you understand that it is possible to enjoy everything and anything if you develop this attitude that I wish to have. Just try and know as much as possible.”

“It is something to think about, I agree. But I don’t know what this amounts to eventually. Makes me want to say—‘Alright. So?’ “

“At least do it for the Aliens.”

“What!”

“We humans are living in anticipation of running into Aliens sooner or later. We are looking out for these intelligent life forms. There is no doubt in my mind that they are doing the very same thing—looking for more intelligent life forms! Let us not disappoint them. Heh! “

“Heh!”