Space Spirit (Space Out)

Outer Space. Always visible, day and night. During the daytime through the universe's biggest star, the sun, that outshines all the rest. Without it, life on earth as we know it would be impossible. The Earth is split up into multiple time zones based on when the sun shines its light on each area of the world. At night, when the sun moves to shine its penetrating light on another part of our world, we see the spectacle and beauty of the rest of the universe, the stars, and, if you're lucky, a planet or two. We use outer space for motivation as well, to follow our dreams: "Shoot for the moon; even if you miss, you'll still land among the stars." Although most of us will only ever experience that outer world from the Earth, we are all at some point and to some extent intrigued or amazed by it.

Throughout history, the universe - with all its stars, galaxies, and planets - has been used over and over by civilizations across the globe. Constellations were first created by the Ancient Greeks to help prove their mythology. Still today the most famous constellation in the night sky is of the Greek hero Orion. Though other cultures have given other names to the same formation of stars, Orion has stuck through the generations and is the name still used today. In total, there are 88 official named constellations today, with 48 of them coming from Ptolemy's Almagest. When the Romans adopted the mythology of the Greeks, they renamed the gods: Zeus -> Jupiter, Cronus -> Saturn, Hermes -> Mercury, Aphrodite -> Venus, and Ares -> Mars. The planets of our solar system today have maintained these names since the Romans attributed it to them. The Romans could not see Uranus, Neptune, or Pluto with their naked eyes, but when modern astrologers discovered the planets, they attributed the names of the Roman gods to them as well (Greek equivalents: Uranus, Poseidon, and Hades, respectively). Similar to the Ancient Greeks and Romans, modern humans have created a universe "mythology" of their own. Aliens and UFOs were created from the enigma of outer space, giving possible answers to the question "Are we alone in this great universe?"

Entertainment has also been greatly affected by the world outside of our own. George Lucas took advantage of human curiosity and created one of the most popular and influential movie series of all time in Star Wars. Kids today are still dressing up as Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader for Halloween, Star Wars marathons are common occurrence at high schools and universities, Star Wars video games are still being created daily, and every once in a while you'll hear someone say "What is they bidding, my master?", "You don't know the power of the dark side!", or "Luke, I am your father!". When I listen to Radiohead's "Subterranean Homesick Alien" I feel like one myself. Turn on any given Muse album and I'll want to jump on the next shuttle out of Kennedy Space Center. Jack Johnson even makes me feel like the stars are under my control when he sings "Constellations". Then there's the master of space music, David Bowie, creator of both Major Tom and Ziggy Stardust.

The universe has been greatly manipulated by the increasing amount of technology available to researchers and scientists. Telescopes have allowed humans to analyze the stars and planets of our solar system, and even other galaxies. Many mysteries have been solved, as to the composition and placements of the universal bodies. The Hubble Space Telescope is one of a number of space telescopes that actually orbit the earth and make observations from outer space (the Hubble is simply the largest and most versatile). Through it, galaxies that are light years away can be seen, places that we cannot even fathom their distance from our planet. Science has improved our knowledge of the universe, but has also detracted from the mystery that lies in that outer unknown realm.

Within the past century space travel has become very real. From the trip of Russian Yury Gagarin in 1961 to the US moon landing of 1969 to recent Space Station missions, astronauts have been flying into outer space for nearly 50 years. Recently, however, the whole idea of human life being confined to earth has been put into question. With the International Space Station a work in constant progress, talk of other space stations and possibly future homes on Mars has arisen. The concept of humans living in outer space changes human identity entirely. Man may be able to extend to other planets, live in different conditions, and experience life in a completely different way than he does today.

I view outer space on a much more personal level. Stargazing is one of my greatest hobbies, and I go out even during winter-time just to get a glimpse of outer space. Looking at the stars gives me mixed emotions, making me first feel very small in comparison to the endlessness that lies outside of our planet. Yet at the same time I feel one with other people. With few exceptions, almost all people in life see the night sky at one time or another. In different hemispheres it may not be the same constellations, but it is still the same world outside of ours. Last year I called my love and asked her if she saw Orion in the night sky. Though she was miles away from me, when she said yes, I felt completely with her. We were both looking at the same constellation at the same time. Now time zones away, we don't see the night sky at the same time, but we still see the same stars. I still recall the scene in The Lion King about the stars:

Timon: They're fireflies. Fireflies that, uh, got stuck up on that big, bluish-black thing.

Pumba: I always thought that they were balls of gas burning billions of miles away.

Simba: Well, somebody once told me that the great kings of the past are up there, watching over us.

Pumba is of course right, yet we want to believe Simba's interpretation of the stars above our heads. He is, after all, the hero of the movie.

Personally, I just like to look up at the stars and clear my mind, yet think of everything all at once. Of life, love, everything around me. It is one of the most wonderful feelings I have ever experienced. I was once told that the most you can love someone is the distance from here to the moon, and I believe that without question. One of the most memorable times of my life was this past August, lying with my love on the cold grass, watching the performance of Perseids' Meteor Shower. That was arguably the closest I've been to bliss in my life. But I'll save that for myself and for her. However cliche it is, I can't help but end this post with lyrics from Coldplay's "Yellow". I'm going to go stargaze now. Enjoy.

"Look at the stars. Look how they shine for you. And everything you do. Yeah, they were all yellow..." - Coldplay

In(dia) Rainbows

Music. The so-called "universal language". A never-ending list of genres create a never-ending list of emotions. Words accompanied by complementing sounds have the potential to have a far greater effect than words alone. Bob Dylan without his guitar, harmonica, or nasal twang would have been as effective as a soldier without his rifle.

A few days ago I headed to Mumbai to pick up some of my friends from the airport. On the exhausting five hour ride I was lucky enough to have my reliable travel partner, my iPod. Music is one of my greatest passions. Without it in my life, I have no idea what I would do. It was with the help of music that I met the most wonderful person in my life. I was listening to Radiohead's phenomenal album "In Rainbows", arguably their best in their equally phenomenal career. It wasn't until the sixth track, "Faust Arp", with its intricate manipulation of time, that I thought of something. Between the track changes of the songs I heard the beating of Bollywood music blasting out of the speakers of the bus. Never in India have I heard any Radiohead. Nor for that matter have I heard Coldplay, Green Day, Pink Floyd, the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, or any western music at all.

I thought about this for a while. Music is an extremely powerful force, inspiring emotion and containing the ability to connect people. But what effect music has on other people depends on the type of music as well as the language and lyrics. Though Radiohead's "In Rainbows" and the soundtrack to Om Shanti Om are both music, they are similar only in that respect. The difference in the style and lyrics of the music reflects on the difference in culture and the people who live in those respective areas of the world. But the lyrics of Radiohead are deep and profound, causing a feeling inside of me that I can only get from music. With Bollywood dominating the media and music scene of India, there will be no music like that of the bands I previously mentioned coming from India any time soon. Nor will the music of those bands catch on here in India, simply because it is not fit for this society. The genres of jazz, R&B, and rock have no real place in India. Electric guitars and drumsets aren't easy to find. Considering the amount music effects humans, the identities of the people in India are different from those in the west.

Without music, people wouldn't be able to ask themselves pivotal philosophical questions in life, like "Where is my mind?", "Hello, is there anybody in there?", and most importantly "Are we human, or are we dancers?". The music differences between the western world and India are enormous, and therefore many aspects of society are different as well. However, one thing remains true in all societies I have encountered: music, regardless of the form, is always present. From Radiohead to classical music, Gregorian Chant to African tribal songs, and Bollywood to European Trance, music is present in all societies. Thus, it can be said that humans have either an inherent need or desire to have ways to express themselves through music, its beats, its lyrics, and the dancing that comes along with it. Because of its universal presence, music is one of the most powerful tools in humanity, and in the end does help to connect people and cultures. In my case, to the point of love. So, in the words of the great philosopher Rihanna, "Please don't stop the music!"