Explore the unexpected.

My house could be described as a techy’s house with all sorts of gadgets. I firmly believe that technology should make our lives easier, more productive, and healthier. However, technology should not make human life better at the expense of life on earth. 

Scientists and others wonder if there is life other than the life on our planet. Regardless, there are “more stars in the sky than grains of sand on the earth,” so probability would favor that there is probably life somewhere else. Although we are optimistic, sci-fi movies indicate we are not sure if we can stand the answer. 

Even if there is life someplace else, the chances of earthlings finding it or it finding earthlings is extremely remote primarily because of the distances involved. What is it that we can do to improve those odds? 

How I fit into all this is my appreciation of life. At a young age, I saw my best friend’s father die. I have seen close friends and immediate family die. And, I have a mother that is a centenarian. What is the magic that makes the difference? 

As a lifeguard and swim instructor I have been able to directly and indirectly save hundreds of lives. But what fascinates me is exactly what is that thing that was saved. When living you are a person; when you die you become a corpse. What is the thing that causes the difference? 

Living things are obviously on earth. As a techy, I am interested in how we can make living things last for a long time. In addition to living, we have been figuring out how things work for thousands of years. When we go, how will all that knowledge be preserved?