Sta Hungry Stay Foolish

Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.

A blog by Leon Oudejans

The Universe as an ecosystem

Nature is generally viewed as an ecosystem in which life creates a balance between predators and preys, and promotes symbiosis. In general, we prefer to ignore humans as part of this ecosystem because we are either destroyers, stewards, or just “different”.

We don’t treat the human body as an ecosystem considering our (multi) daily cleaning habits. This may explain the surprise when research revealed that “a type of bacteria commonly found on human skin produces a substance that may help protect against skin cancer” (Guardian, 28 Feb 2018). The same concept applies to microbes inside our bodies (Guardian-2016).

If Nature is an ecosystem and the human body also, then it’s tempting to see the Universe as an ecosystem too. It could be argued that this view is related to panpsychism, or “the view that consciousness, mind or soul (psyche) is a universal and primordial feature of all things”.

To visualize the Universe as an ecosystem, I prepared a diagram. Obviously, I have question marks as our (including my) knowledge of the Universe is still rather shallow.

Nevertheless, this diagram feels like a potential ecosystem as a cycle is – and waves are – appearing. Both appear to be essential in the “grand design” of Life.

The “Big Bang” was an accidental term coined by astronomer Fred Hoyle “during a radio broadcast on 28 March 1949, on the BBC Third Programme” (Wiki). Actually, Fred Hoyle believed in his opposing Steady State theory. However, an expanding Universe appears to fit with the prevailing “Big Bang” hypothesis.

The existence of an expanding Universe suggests the possible existence of its opposite: a contracting Universe. Such a phenomenon might have preceded the Big Bang, which is still one of the most fundamental questions in science.

It took me a while to come up with a link between a contracting Universe and (white) light. Then I remembered that the Sun does not only provide light and warmth but also radiation. Wiki: “Sunlight is a portion of the electromagnetic radiation given off by the Sun, in particular infrared, visible, and ultraviolet light.” In principle, radiation diminishes life. Hence, contracting.

“He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the universe.” A (disputedquote by Marcus Aurelius, “a Stoic philosopher, and Roman Emperor” (WikiQuote).

Black Hole Sun (1994) by Soundgarden – artists, lyrics, video, Wiki-1, Wiki-2

Black hole sun

Won’t you come

And wash away the rain?

Note: all bold and/or italic markings by LO unless stated otherwise

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