Which is the greatest expression of Human Imagination and Audacity; the one object which can express the strength of the Human race better than any other means? There is no doubt that it is the great pyramid. If humanity and life vanishes from earth and an alien space faring race sets their feet (?) here one day; the battered-silent standing pyramid will tell them the strength of the race that once inhabited this planet. When they realise that Humans Dared to Imagine and Build this object at a time, when the only machines at their disposal were the Lever, the Pulley, the inclined plane and some simple hand tools, they will marvel at the Audacity of this extinct race, which arose and died on this unknown planet. They will cry out in anguish at the loss of a species of great potential.
Yes the first thing that comes to ones mind when one look at the Great Pyramid, is the Audacity of Imagination of the Human race.
The same grand-audacity, reflecting the same spark, has again come to life in very recent time; showing that the Human race is alive and kicking. The first one is the declaration of President Kennedy in 1961 that America will put man on the Moon in ten years, which culminated in Neil Armstrong setting foot on the satellite on July 20th’1969.
The other instance is the development of the Atomic Bomb at Los Alamos, again by America during the war-years, starting from an as yet little understood mere Formula of Einstein; E = mc2.
While nothing has surpassed the Pyramid in Grand Imagination and Audacity, there are other aspects in which the two modern day achievements show greater human maturity. Both the modern projects have come to life through pooling of knowledge and intelligence of a significantly large group of people, each of whom can be treated as a unique genius. These achievements were possible despite many members of the group often holding divergent and opposing ideas, both on theoretical ground as well as on practical implementation. Yet they were able to thrash out the path of clarity from the divergent ideas and achieve the monumental tasks set before them.
The other difference with the pyramid is that while the old one is more of a sign-post of Human capability or a monument to past glory; the new ones are stepping stones on a path which is leading us today to a New Horizon of unparalleled possibilities.
Human Race has great potential. We are yet to set our feet among the other intelligences of our Galaxy and test our strength. But I do feel confident that when that time comes in not too distant a future, we shall be able to stand on our own feet and create our distinct identity amongst the Galactic community.
Despite such achievements, today we face on this planet the greatest of challenges that we are ever likely to face; our own survival. And this time it cannot be achieved only by a small group of geniuses. First of all everyone must be aware about the very fragile balance of our thin ecosystem. And then everyone: Geniuses, Intelligentsia, Politicians, Industrialists, Bureaucrats, Artists, Farmers, white-collar workers, International bodies; every human being and organization must participate as one in this effort. Awareness is the key to our survival.
