January 25, 2010

Ridiculous, Gelatinous Orbs

“I saw a star explode, and send out the building blocks of the Universe. Other stars, other planets and eventually, other life. A supernova – Creation itself!

I was there. I wanted to see it and be part of the moment. And you know how I perceived one of the most glorious events in the universe? With these ridiculous, gelatinous orbs in my skull! With eyes designed to perceive only a tiny fraction of the EM spectrum. With ears designed only to hear vibrations in the air.

I don't want to be human! I want to see gamma rays. I want to hear X-rays. I want to smell dark matter. Do you see the absurdity of what I am? I can't even express these things properly because I have to conceptualize complex ideas in this stupid, limiting spoken language!

But I know I want to reach out with something other than these prehensile paws. And feel the wind of a supernova flowing over me! I'm a machine, and I can know much more. I can experience so much more. But I'm trapped in this absurd body!

And why? Because my five creators thought that God wanted it that way!

—Brother Cavil in Battlestar Galactica

My roommate just finished watching Battlestar Galactica. From time to time I’d join him, working away from my laptop on the couch. I had forgotten the powerful imagery of this speech toward the end of the series.

I imagine that this is what the afterlife might look like: an eternal exploration of Creation through something more than these ridiculous, gelatinous orbs.