Mistral wrote:
[For that matter, with the whole penetrating the void thing, maybe space exploration is in itself sexist and aggressively masculine, and we should stay happy and ignorant right here on Mother Earth.
I know this was meant to be an ironic statement, but there's something about it that bothers me.
Lots of parallels could be drawn between space exploration and the process of colonization in the past. Exploring and colonizing Africa was promoted by European propaganda as a noble enterprise of 'enlightening savages' and bringing them merits of civilization, but in many ways it was actually penetration, rape and abuse of the dark continent, an aggressive masculine act. In 'Dusklands', by Coetzee, a character called Jacobus states this very clearly: I see myself as an explorer of darkness. I penetrate the darkness with the brightness of my intellect and my blue eye. If this doesn't work, I use my gun. There are great many connections between the imperialistic conquest of wilderness and the rape of women.
I don't think much has changed in the imperialistic consciousness inherent within the dominant culture. If the human race eventually sets out to find new worlds, it will be with the same masculine, aggressive desire for penetration and conquest as before.
I'm not saying we ought to stay on this planet for ever, but I wish we could start exploring the Universe with a somewhat different attitude. In mid-December, with + 18 C degrees outside instead of harsh Balkan winters we used to have before, I turn my TV on. Dragging his body on a pair of crutches through some sort of botanical garden, a scientist talks about creating human habitats on Mars. Cool - with some luck, we may even manage to hop onto a new world before we totally destroy this one.
Sorry, I still have more sympathy for the primitive consciousness which viewed this world as a beloved mother, than for the consciousness which views it as parcelled property to be irresponsibly consumed and eventually discarded. I don't think it would hurt if the exploration of space were conducted with the former.
Oops, no B7, except maybe B7ish gloom.
N.