On the Universe

“Nothing exists save for atoms and space, all else is conjecture.” – Democritus, 460-370 BCE

Through the advancements of scientific inquiry, we have come to recognize that our physical bodies serve as hosts to a vast and intricate ecosystem comprised of microorganisms, collectively known as the human microbiome. This microbiome encompasses bacteria, fungi, viruses, and archaea (unicellular organisms) that inhabit our skin, digestive tract, and other anatomical regions. It is estimated that the quantity of microbial cells may be equivalent to or even surpass that of human cells. The National Library of Medicine posits that the human microbiota consists of approximately 10-100 trillion symbiotic microbial cells harbored by each individual.

These countless microorganisms fulfill significant roles in various bodily functions, including digestion, metabolism, and immune responses. They assist in the breakdown and absorption of nutrients, produce essential vitamins and compounds, and educate and regulate the immune system. Additionally, the microbiome acts as a protective barrier against harmful pathogens, preventing their colonization and potential infection. Without this microcosmic society of lifeforms, our survival would be severely compromised.

Despite the profound complexity and immeasurable scale of this microscopic society, it possesses no apparent comprehension of us or its symbiotic relationship with us. Conversely, we are similarly unable to perceive their existence and activities apart from recent scientific discoveries.

With the advent of this relatively recent knowledge regarding our bodies, it is reasonable to consider the possibility that all life on this planet may constitute a minute component of an even more expansive living entity.

Our bodies are manifestly interconnected and interdependent. The universe exhibits similar characteristics of interconnectedness and interdependence. From the subatomic particles to the boundless galaxies, all  are part of a vast network of relationships. This interconnectedness suggests that the universe may be more than a collection of discrete objects and instead a singular, unified entity. Consequently, it follows that the universe is not merely an assemblage of matter and energy but a conscious, interconnected being.

Would this theoretical being possess conscious awareness of our existence? Could we ever conceivably attain conscious awareness of it?

Furthermore, what if our universe is but one of countless other such universes?

These contemplations are hardly novel. For at least twenty-five centuries, philosophers and scientists have pondered the possibility that the universe is a sentient, living organism. Their reasoning process is rooted in the notion that since humans possess the capacity for reason, that capacity must have preexisted within the universe. Our bodies and brains are composed of atoms from stars. The universe itself is comprised of the same atoms, therefore logic dictates that all that exists on Earth also exists throughout the cosmos. This implies that our capacity for reasoning originates from a universe where the capacity for reasoning is an inherent aspect of its composition.

What if the universe is simply a colossal brain? Galaxies, solar systems, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, atoms, neutrinos… With a just a grain of imagination, it bears resemblance to a neural network on an immense scale.

Returning to Democritus quoted earlier, notwithstanding fanciful imaginings or lofty conjectures and opinions, we can be certain that all things are composed of atoms. Perhaps our ignorance and lack of understanding of the true nature of the universe is a blessing. It could very well be that in this case, ignorance is bliss, Our lives are tragically brief, and we squander a significant portion of our limited time bickering and disputing meaningless opinions. If our capacity for reasoning is a residual quality that we have somehow obtained from the universe, perhaps we can envision a way to utilize it in a more consistently constructive and meaningful manner.

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