The Unknown

Let's sit here quietly for a moment. The world is a few steps away for now, for a few moments. All the chaos, the voting, the wars and the noise is floating away and we can be at peace. If the universe is a grand washing machine, and all of us only unmatched socks, then we are now in the delicious lull between the rinse and the spin. Let the lull run on, and on, and on. Oh, that lull!

If the universe were a washing machine, constantly cycling through big bangs as if they were spin cycles, then maybe it would all make sense. Cycles are a part of nature, after all, and entirely understandable to humans. Perhaps that's why the concept of reincarnation was first devised or discovered or invented, in order to introduce a cycle into the greatest mystery of all: The Unknown.

Now, don't be afraid at the very mention of The Unknown. This isn't going to devolve into maudlin metaphysics or an extended washing machine analogy that barely maintains its own cohesiveness! Well, to be honest, the second option might happen but there shall be no maudlin blatherings on this watch. The Unknown isn't something to be scared of, if you have your head screwed on the right way around. The Unknown gives us something to explore, even in this world that is almost entirely known. Without the unknown, the human urge to explore is utterly thwarted!

'Risk is our business!' said Captain Kirk, and he was right. If only we had places to explore now. If ever there was a reason to go to Mars and other worlds, it would be simply because we can and we need to see what's there. What's at the bottom of the oceans? Can we explore other planes of existence? Can we penetrate beyond the barrier of time itself? If ever there were a reason to not be afraid of death, it would be because in doing so we touch the face of the greatest known unknown quantity. There's no good reason to rush to getting to that point, so don't go getting crazy ideas, but it's not the worst thing that could ever happen. It's an exploration, or even a return to wherever we came from. If that's maudlin then I'm the Great Fruit Loop.

As the lull ebbs, and the great washing machine prepares to plunge us into the brave new world of tomorrow, it's time to crystallise that little bit of peace and keep it in our hearts until next we need it. Surely, these quiet times won't last forever, and soon madness will break out all over again. At least there's still Conan Doyle, 'Star Trek', and 'The Beiderbecke Trilogy' to keep us going. If I hadnt' already done it, Beiderbecke would demand a post all its own...

O.