Alpha Centauri

“The question today, then, is whether the world's populations are not close to having done with soft sciences and technologies, which still take into account the preservation of the planet and its inhabitants; whether they are not now in danger of being swept away by the terrorist excesses of a Laputian ratio, a universal philanoia [love of madness] attacking a human species which has become 'undesirable' in its entirety, the scandal of an Earth which is, so far as we know, the only biosphere in the solar system.”
― Paul Virilio

It would be interesting to work out the pace at which humanity travels at this moment. Considering the fact that we are already traveling at considerable speed in our solar system and that the universe expands on a daily basis at a speed immeasurable, it is not a bold statement to say that whatever pace we are at it is insignificant by comparison. I am currently reading Paul Virilio's Negative Horizon which I will soon follow on with Gaston Bachelard's Poetics of Space. The negative aspect of the former and the limitations perceived therein will be replaced with the boundless interpretation of space and the imagination. 

Though Negative Horizon is a fascinating book and offers insight into one of the more pronounced issues in our lifetime; the dissonance between our imagined reality and the reality that actually surrounds us. This is perhaps directly related to the perceived separation of mind and body perpetuated by our constant displacement out of regular time which high-speed travel and convenience. The perception of the void, or the empty space through which one travels creates a constant nervous tension and forces a negative attitude towards spontaneity and change. As things become faster, the desire for control expands.

Virilio makes some interesting observations about the difference between humanity's current framework of thought as contrary to the fractal, regenerative pattern recurrent within nature. Our straight lines and angular vision, and the singularity that we maintain through our definitions, resemblances, practical actions, and so forth bear little resemblance to the reality that surrounds us. And so the question appears of whether we are emasculating the world we occupy because of the threat of lapsed control, of the loss of speed and the fear of losing the void, the empty space. What is not noticed is that in order to make use of this empty space, and to making gradual progress akin to the slow regenerative actions of the earth, speed must be removed, and intertwining of relationships restored.

Speed is the cause of war and causes reflexivity to suffer, and if it displaces regular motion without attuning to it, or changing its pattern to one of a more suitable, variable kind, it only forces further emasculation upon the source from which it is drawn. The a refracted ray of light from source, the relationship with that source must be kept alive and not exploited.The world is regenerative because of variation, feedback loops in nature, and the gradual development of confluence. As independent scientist James Lovelock states: "An inefficient virus kills its host. A clever virus stays with it." So, were the speed of humanity to lapse, were the structures drawn into less firm relief, were this source of light considered, the species would have endless regenerative opportunity. It is matter of general understanding from this moment.

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