Kepler-22b Is A Major Letdown

Kepler-22b

Thanks to a text from Sam, I learned of the recent discovery of an earthlike planet. I have as much interest in space exploration as the next guy, but this new development turned out to be a major letdown.

I researched the available information and as I read the material, my enthusiasm slowly evaporated. It turns out, the planet may not even have a surface. There is plenty to be excited about, but right now, all the hoopla is nothing more than wishful thinking. Not to mention the fact that the planet is basically unreachable! According to Elizabeth Flock of the Washington Post, ”since one light year is the equivalent nearly six trillion miles, it would take 22 million years to travel 600 light years on a space shuttle and visit Kepler-22b with our current technology.” (Anyone up for a road trip?)

Is anybody satisfied with the name of this newly discovered “earth 2?” I know the NASA scientists have more imagination than, Kepler-22b. Maybe they know something we don’t? Why would you waste time naming a planet which has absolutely zero life forms? I think all the hype is to create more funding excitement, for the administration. (I’m not buying what they are selling!)

What if there is life on Kepler-22b? There is a chance that humans are more advanced than the organisms which may inhabit the planet. If we develop the capabilities to actually reach kepler-22b, we wouldn’t go and destroy the population. Fear of the unknown causes people to create the most idiotic scenarios. Aliens would not invade earth and wipeout humans; they would be just as curious as we are. (Although, the fear of anal probes may not be too outlandish!)

Furthermore, what if humans are the most advanced species in the universe? This is a probability which often goes unmentioned. We may be the most evolved species, currently living. I have no doubt that some form of living organism inhabits other planets, in the vast universe; a universe which has yet to be fully explored. Scientists can’t even comprehend how far the universe expands. Life exists, but we might be the cream of the crop!

***All this science gibberish is not meant for the creationists; I read your bible and I know all of the “facts.” In the first chapter, your “god” created Adam, in his image, and from the earth. And then, just for kicks, he created Adam, AGAIN, in the second chapter, from clay! In the first instance, he created Eve along with Adam, but in an effort to shake things up, he decided to create Eve from one of Adam’s ribs, the second time. (I guess there was an absence of good novel editors during the construction of the biblical myths!) I hear people say, “god is good,” but any being who can create the same person, twice, two different ways, is freaking GREAT!***

     Our fear of aliens is baseless and nonsensical. We would be extremely fortunate to witness the discovery of unearthly life forms. I, for one, strongly doubt that Kepler-22b will be the location of the most monumental discovery in the history of mankind, but I am as hopeful as anyone else. Except the pope, of course; the discovery of aliens might shine a bright microscopic light onto the bullshit filled petri dish that his faith is built upon! (No offense!)

I am no Trekkie, but to the NASA scientists assigned to the Kepler space telescope, I say, “boldly go where no man has gone before!”

@PeteTeix617

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12/8/06