The Significance Of Human Suffering In A potentially Infinite Universe
Neil deGrasse Tyson shines light on the significance of our general insignificance.
We are all connected; To each other, biologically. To the earth, chemically. To the rest of the universe atomically. — Neil deGrasse Tyson
If you haven’t heard about Neil deGrasse Tyson, you may be living under a rock. Tyson is to astrophysics, as Tarantino is to directing, as Buddha is to mindfulness, or as Joe Rogan is to podcasts. He is an absolute legend in the astrophysics world and beyond.
Tyson embraces a celebrity-like status and uses his platform as a means to communicate the wonders of the universe to the general public. His social media presence and his radio program StartTalk are simply awe-inspiring. Put simply, he just seems like a great, genuine guy.
Oh ya, did I mention he was named “The Sexiest Astrophysicist Alive?”
Tyson is so hip he even made an appearance on the First We Eat YouTube series, Hot Ones, where celebrities are interviewed by host Sean Evans while tasting a platter of increasingly spicy chicken wings. If you haven’t seen the show, it’s incredibly hilarious.
While on the show, and in between coughs and tears from the progressively spicy heat, Tyson is asked to remark on the significance of human suffering in a potentially infinite universe.
Damn. Hitting him with a fire wing and a fire question.
Tyson points out that humanity has redefined significance as a singular entity; i.e. if one thing is special, everything else is not so. He challenges that this notion stems from religions, culture, and individuals vanity.
He proceeds to explain that humans are, essentially, made up of four elements: hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen. Similarly, the top ingredients in the universe and the most chemically active atoms are hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen.
Tyson demonstrates that, despite popular sentiment, we are indeed not special because we do not contain any special ingredients. However, he leaves us with the awareness that-
While we live in this universe, the universe lives within us. We are special because we are the same. -Neil deGrasse Tyson
While humans tend to personalize and hold on to the thought that their suffering is unique, in reality, suffering is a universal privilege that connects us with each other and the universe. Being made of the same ingredients as the cosmos reminds us that our suffering is universal and communal.
We essentially carry the universe inside us, every day. The universe exists within you and you exist within the universe; therefore, all of the power of the universe is inside of you. Whatever suffering you are facing, the universe (as well as the billions of souls within the universe) faces as well.
Neil deGrasse Tyson hands you the world, on a silver platter, and offers you the chance to embrace the infinite power of the universe. What you do with that power goes beyond your legacy and dives into your potential for greatness in this lifetime.
Do with that what you will…
