|
A certain kind of mind will turn anything into something to hurt with. The first stone tool scraped leather one day and slashed somebody the next. The first sharp stick dug a furrow for seeds in the morning and wounded somebody in the afternoon. I can't imagine what goes on in a planning meeting to design a cluster bomb or phosphorous grenade, but I have a feeling mathematicians weren't there. As astronomers, we represent the noblest aspiration humans have come up with: to understand why the microcosm and macrocosm are one. It feels great to admire the sky's glory, but feels better to look in the mirror and respect what's looking back.
|