The New Humanity

"Once a photograph of the Earth, taken from the outside,
is available - a new idea as powerful as any in history
will be let loose."
Fred Hoyle, British astrophysicist, 1948

The unique capacity of humans to reflect upon themselves is often cited as the key differentiator between humans and animals. Presumably that capacity is why we are said to have souls, while animals are supposed not to. Then it is that power of self-reflection that Adam and Eve obtained from the Tree of Knowledge. We have recently entered a new human age defined by the simple fact that now the whole human community can look back upon itself - in it's entirety - and the little blue ball that we occupy. Looking out into space we are inspired by the Infinite. But when we look down upon ourselves from space, we are confronted with the Finite. And it is to the Finite that the New Humanity must now devote it's attention.