G.A.S.E. ‘17 (A Dialogue About Science and More)

Kent Kirker
Aug 22, 2017 · 7 min read

Reacting to science the world gathered together Monday (Aug. 21, 2017) to witness, an almost once and a lifetime event. The Great American Solar Eclipse of 2017, the national eclipse, the Solar Eclipse, however you wish to call it. The world came together as one global community to witness a co-solar-lunar event that would not be possible had it not been for science, and the scientists behind that science. One could say that this was a trivial event with no real benefit to most. However it was a major benefit to the many astronomers and astrophysicists, geologists, and space fanatics. Aside from those groups, it can be argued that no real tangible physical benefits could have been gleaned by the average person. And yet, we all came out that day anyway. Many went out of their ways to get to certain areas where they would be able see it in the best possible conditions (absolute totality).

Exactly why is this? Why expend our funds to witness something in reality would last for mere minutes and need special equipment to perceive? Depending on who you are, that could have many discernible answers. For one it could be about the science. People interested in the eclipse because of it’s empirical standard. A lot of people watched it because everyone else was, and it was the popular “it” thing at the moment. Others, just to say they saw it, and were a part of it. The so-called “gunners” or social watchers. There’s nothing wrong with that, it was entertaining, and a chance to see something that hasn’t happened in nearly an entire century(99 years). The majority, or all, of our individual lifetimes. An event that won’t occur for another 7 years until April 8, 2024. Two election cycles from now, and the same year we, the U.S., will hold the Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Plus my state will be in the path of totality for that one!

States from Oregon to South Carolina were able to view in totality. This was a chance to share in a scientific solar event with our friends and family, kids and elders, left and right, north, south, east, and west all across America. The Great American Solar Eclipse. It provided a rare moment of levity in a nation belabored with squabbles and quarrels, an incompetent “leader”, domestic racial hatred, terrorism, and tragedy. Where the arts, science, education, and the environment have been attacked and/or commandeered by ironic contrarians. Where people have been in fear of losing their healthcare and employment. In all senses, split communities within a divided nation. For the span of about 4 hours this “Great Eclipse” fused this split community we call the “United” States together. It helped us to forget the struggles of our lives for the time being. All that so we, as Americans, could experience a unique rite of passage rarely afforded to us.

“Happiness only real when shared.”

— Christopher McCandless (Into the Wild)

Impressed upon me, this moment was one I was highly appreciative to have. Thankful that I got to share this event with my own family. It is truly thanks to the mathematicians, and scientists who were able, as Mark Watney from The Martian would say, “science the shit out of this” total solar eclipse. Really! Think about this. How would any of us know that there was going to be an eclipse, one? A total solar eclipse at that, two. Where that eclipse would happen, and the path it would take, three? Finally, when exactly this eclipse would happen, and the duration thereof, four? How would this information have been known, had it not been for the research, labor, and calculations of scientists past, present, and future. We should all have a deep appreciation for the fields of science, and the contributors in those fields that got us to this point. I’m not just talking about astronomy, astrophysics, astronauts, and NASA, but inventors and creators of different types of state-of-the-art telescopes and the ever so popular and necessary eclipse glasses. Especially the filaments within those glasses. Also, for the many who weren’t able to see it personally, advances in film and electrical equipment.

S o, whats next? Well, the way this current fraudulent, incompetent, impotent administration is assaulting the arts and humanities by trying to gut their funding in it’s proposed budget to congress. Defiling the Department of Education by appointing a Secretary (Betsy Devos) who is a proponent of highly expensive, extremely selective and unbalanced privatized schooling. Including taking federal money and resources from public schools and reverse Robin Hooding them into charter schools (i.e. vouchers et al). Who as a trust fund heiress married to a multi-billionaire, has never known the pain and struggle of student loans or trying to find good employment in a saturated job market.

This administration that has put a halt on peer review, and the release of peer reviewed scientific research. Who has reclassified preserved government land to use it for the extraction of climate threatening, and finite fossil fuels, as well as the building of environmentally unprotected oil pipe lines through Native American land no less. Pipe lines that have a potential to pollute several water shed tables and areas. Who’ve promised an improbable return of coal mining jobs, without even considering a look and renewable energy sources and jobs. Who has withdrawn from a major global climate accord while EVERYONE else has doubled down. Who has shown less interest in environmental ethics and morals, science and space exploration and more on race baiting, war mongering, and narcissistic, egotistical power trips.

“If you make yourself a sheep, the wolves will eat you.”

— Benjamin Franklin

Answering to this involuntary retribution is complicated and not straight forward. It shouldn’t be taken for granted. So again whats next? What can we do individually, and as a society? Naturally the first thing to do is be informed, and stay informed constantly. An uninformed and uneducated populace is the first and most beholden step for those in power to subjugate the masses to strict Ozian-esque smoke-and-mirror tactics. Speak out against what you perceive, and believe to be wrong. Peacefully and always nonviolently raise your voice against the subjugation. Use logic and negotiation to your advantage. Reverse hate by pointing out the flaws, deceptions, and hypocrisies in vitriolic speech. Become an “Eracist”, someone who sees hate and supremacist type expression, and combats it with peace and love.

“Nations [Oceans] rise, empires fall.” to quote ironically King George III from “Hamilton”. We as a nation must, and will rise to the occasion(s). Join the resistance. Furthermore as you speak out, raise your voice in way that contributes to your own championed causes. Write and call your elected representatives. Go to rallies. Be a part of non-violent beneficial protests. Since the beginning of this year I have witnessed the largest protests I’ve ever been been alive to see. (i.e. The Women’s March, The Science March, The Climate March, The so-called “Unite the Right” counter protest in Charlottesville, The Boston Free Speech Counter Protest, etc.) Write letters to the editors of your local and regional news mediums (print, digital, and video).

Create videos, draft and publish articles like this one. If you care about something, show it. Get outside, don’t just let it be one major event like this total solar eclipse be the only thing that spurs interest in science and the environment. Visit your local, State, and National parks. Donate to your favorite causes and charities, whether it be the parks, or climate/ environmental initiatives, the ACLU, or the Anti-Defamation League, among others. Read voluminously, fiction, and non-fiction Do your own research. Share your readings, your findings, your voice. Be a well rounded observer and consumer of happenings, and those around. Don’t just watch, read, or listen to something just because it may lean your way. Learn from what differences those around you may have. Learn perpetually.

Explore the world! Be the change you wish to see. Exhibit love and understanding. Search for meaning in all things. Seek out the safeguards and exploit them appropriately and often. Go back and reread, re-interpret, reanalyze. Point out the falsehoods for those after you to better see. Always be of service, and be helpful, both physically, and intellectually. Build bridges and clear paths. Walk with others, be the movement, RESIST! Sometimes in all of this “doing” you may find it’s all it takes to make a difference.


Sources for this article will be provide upon request. If you haven’t noticed already I’ve inserted a positive subliminal message in this article. See the fourth sentence of the last paragraph. -Kent

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Kent Kirker

Written by

Liberal, Activist, Christian, Eagle Scout, Reader, Writer, Amateur Singer, Film & Music lover, History and Science buff! Ohio State, Cavs, Pats and Tribe fan.

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