Mistral wrote:
>[For that matter, with the whole penetrating the void thing, maybe space
>exploration is in itself sexist and aggressively masculine, and we
>should stay happy and ignorant right here on Mother Earth.
I know this was meant to be an ironic statement, but there's something about
it that bothers me.
Lots of parallels could be drawn between space exploration and the process
of colonization in the past. Exploring and colonizing Africa was promoted by
European propaganda as a noble enterprise of 'enlightening savages' and
bringing them merits of civilization, but in many ways it was actually
penetration, rape and abuse of the dark continent, an aggressive masculine
act. In 'Dusklands', by Coetzee, a character called Jacobus states this very
clearly: I see myself as an explorer of darkness. I penetrate the darkness
with the brightness of my intellect and my blue eye. If this doesn't work, I
use my gun. There are great many connections between the imperialistic
conquest of wilderness and the rape of women.
I don't think much has changed in the imperialistic consciousness inherent
within the dominant culture. If the human race eventually sets out to find
new worlds, it will be with the same masculine, aggressive desire for
penetration and conquest as before.
I'm not saying we ought to stay on this planet for ever, but I wish we could
start exploring the Universe with a somewhat different attitude. In
mid-December, with + 18 C degrees outside instead of harsh Balkan winters we
used to have before, I turn my TV on. Dragging his body on a pair of
crutches through some sort of botanical garden, a scientist talks about
creating human habitats on Mars. Cool - with some luck, we may even manage
to hop onto a new world before we totally destroy this one.
Sorry, I still have more sympathy for the primitive consciousness which
viewed this world as a beloved mother, than for the consciousness which
views it as parcelled property to be irresponsibly consumed and eventually
discarded. I don't think it would hurt if the exploration of space were
conducted with the former.
Oops, no B7, except maybe B7ish gloom.
N.