The Science of Peace

'I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.' - Unknown

I’ve been asked in the past where the topics of my blogs originate from, and to be honest, I don’t even know myself. Often, something will happen during my monotonous daily routine that moves me, or angers me, or saddens me. It’s like a flame that just won’t burn out; I could be thinking about it for days on end, and it just won’t dwindle until I write.

That’s pretty much what happened today, in a double period of science. Our teacher was discussing the stages of the life of a star, and how, over billions of years, the death of a star meant implosion. This implosion could result in either the formation of a neutron star, or the creation of a black hole, depending on the mass of the star. He explained how black holes absorbed everything slower than light, so it was astronomically impossible to escape.

This discussion left me wondering, and I began to see comparisons between the life of a star and the history of our own human race.

Since the beginning of our existence, humans have been involved in every sort of conflict, with the consequential severity of said conflicts steadily increasing as the need for power catches up with the radical developments of technology. Our past has never seen a more contrasted earth; from the war-torn countries of the Middle East and the impoverished nations of Africa to the divided population of the US and the financially unstable republics of Europe. We as a human race are reaching the climax of our history, and just as the life of a star reaches its end, we too are approaching a peak of enmity that will be the deciding factor in our continuity.

Are we our own black hole? Are we edging closer and closer to self-destruction, as a result of power-hungry leaders and bad decisions? Will our lack of unity, love and peace lead to our downfall? Or will we minimise our problems and become strong and stable?

Personally, I believe that with empathy and compassion, the human race can redeem itself and begin to mend the problems caused by instability and poor judgement. By focusing on helping those negatively affected by war, disease and poverty, we are securing a future and contributing to one that is bright, stable and healthy, just like that same neutron star.

There are so many groups that help affected refugees and families who have found themselves in danger as a result of conflict or poverty. As individuals, we can offer these people what they need to survive; whether it is money, time or physical aid.

The value of compassion is beyond words; without it, there would be only selfishness, greed and ignorance. So be kind, and empathetic, and observe the impact your actions have on those around you, and beyond.

Sincerely, Grace