The most radical change in the human condition we can imagine would be an emigration of men from the earth to some other planet. Such an event, no longer totally impossible, would imply that man would have to live under man-made conditions, radically different from those the earth offers him. Neither labor nor work nor action nor, indeed, thought as we know it would then make sense any longer. Yet even these hypothetical wanderers from the earth would still be human; but the only statement we could make regarding their “nature” is that they still are conditioned beings, even though their condition is now self-made to a considerable extent.
— Hannah Arendt, The Human Condition
NASA astronaut and Artemis II Pilot Victor Glover pictured here in the Orion spacecraft during the Artemis II lunar flyby. Glover and his fellow crewmates spent approximately seven hours taking turns at the Orion windows capturing science data to share with their team back on Earth. At closest approach, they came within 4,067 miles of the Moon’s surface.
The Artemis II crew captures a faint view of a crescent Earth above the horizon on the Moon’s far side. (Source)
Humans have always looked up to the skies to contemplate big questions, but we’re doing it less and less these days.
THE CROCODILE IN THE BEDROOM
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A Crocodile became increasingly fond of the wallpaper in his bedroom. He stared at it for hours and hours.
“Just look at all those neat and tidy rows of flowers and leaves,”
said the Crocodile. “They are like soldiers. There is not a single one that is out of place.“My dear,” said the Crocodile’s wife, “you are spending too much time in bed. Come out into my garden where the air is fresh and the sun is bright and warm.”
“Well, if you insist, for just a few minutes,” said the Crocodile. He put on a pair of dark glasses to protect his eyes from the glare and went
outside.Mrs. Crocodile was proud of her garden. “Look at the hollyhocks and the marigolds,” she said. “Smell the roses and the lilies of the valley.”
“Great heavens!” cried the Crocodile. “The flowers and leaves in this garden are growing in a terrible tangle! They are all scattered! They
are messy and entwined!”The Crocodile rushed back to his bedroom in a state of great distress.
He was at once comforted by the sight of his wallpaper.“Ah,” said the Crocodile. “Here is a garden that is ever so much
better. How happy and secure these flowers make me feel!”After that the Crocodile seldom left his bed. He lay there, smiling at
the walls. He turned a very pale and sickly shade of green.____________
Without a doubt, there is such a thing as too much order.
Smelling flowers in the garden last summer: