What World in The Universe Would Be Better?

So far, cosmology has shown us that this is the only place in all of space which is assuredly hospitable to life. Even the hoped-for Goldilocks planets are extrapolations from measurements - we can't observe them; we can't reach them. There's no guarantee life can survive with the gravitational forces and other variables they enjoy. When we colonize Mars, people will live out their days inside a tiny cage. They won't look out upon oceans, forests, fields, mountains, tangible grandeur which they can fish, hike, reap, climb.

I'm not saying that life is fair. It isn't. But also... in comparison to what precisely? The storms, weather, climate and atmospheres of other planets aren't exactly humane, equitable, or forgiving. The mass of most things we can point to with telescopes would crush us or tear us apart before our spaceship entered its atmosphere.

Despite the ravages of this world, this little pocket of the universe is just about the only place we can manage to exist for more than a few seconds. There are unfair institutions and systems of oppression on Earth. I agree. But try Mercury out for a few breaths and compare to some of the worst situations on Earth that you imagine.

We can more than exist here. We can create beauty, art, society. Check your spirit of ungratefulness for a moment. Don’t take what you do have for granted.