Starman
It’s possible to be someone who believes there is intelligent life in the solar system- let along life in general- without being a conspiracy theorist. It’s possible to think that we should be putting more resources into exploring the cosmos while also doing more to preserve life on Earth. It’s also possible to realize that you don’t know everything about what will happen to humanity in the future while realizing that there is a good chance humanity’s time on Earth will come to an end, whether we are the cause of it or not. The first two are philosophical questions that speak to the importance of considering different truths about the physical universe. The last one is simply looking at the known history of life on Earth, and realizing that there is a non-zero chance that everything we’ve created will be lost to the sands of time, for another civilization to discover.
The subject of Robert Stone’s documentary, Gendry Lee, is a lively and passionate 82-year-old. Highly intelligent in mathematics, even at an early age, he worked at NASA as a director of science analysis and mission planning for the Viking Mars missions in the 1970s. He has co-authored science fiction novels with Arthur C. Clarke. Most of his life has been spent in pursuit of exploring the solar system, and considering the possibility of intelligent life off of the Earth. He is an inspiring figure, and learning about some of the ways scientists have sought to answer questions about- or prepare for- the possibilities of other lifeforms in the solar system is something I found fascinating and engrossing, because Lee is a charismatic individual.
In early December, my wife and I took our 10th anniversary trip to Roswell, New Mexico. While it certainly leans into the kitsch and conspiracy theories of what happened in 1947, I found the UFO Museum in particular fascinating because it allows for the sci-fi theorizing of aliens visiting the Earth, but also points to historical ways in which humanity has posited that we have been “visited” over the years. I’m skeptical of whether aliens have actually visited Earth, but I have a hard time imaging, in a solar system as vast as ours, that we are the only intelligent life in it. Gendry has a hard time believing it, as well, but he also doesn’t think we’ve been visited yet. A lot of the film centers on Mars, and the discoveries we’ve made that point to the potential of life there, but also, how there isn’t definitive signs of life on Mars yet. The third act has a lot of Lee just marveling at the Earth, excited about the possibilities off the Earth, but also recognizing that, we need to do better to take care of the Earth. His plea is important for us to hear. His enthusiasm is inspiring at a time when it’s hard to feel hopeful about anything.
