Keeping things in perspective — By John Reed

Keeping things in perspective
Last week’s total eclipse of the sun allowed millions of Americans a rare view of celestial mechanics. The moon’s shadow crisscrossed the nation from Texas to Maine, bringing temporary darkness to people in all walks of life. Rich or poor, black, white, yellow, or brown, urban or rural.
Susie and I were privileged to witness the event in a quiet little park in southern Illinois. The only other people nearby were a couple of hard-core eclipse chasers with their telescopes and cameras on tripods. This was our second one in seven years, and we fully expect to see the next one in 2045.
In the presence of such astronomical events, the pettiness of human prevails is shown. All the philosophical blathering of liberals and conservatives alike fade to meaninglessness on the larger stage of the universe.
Like their prehistoric Neanderthal ancestors peering from their caves, some conspiracy theorists conjured up all sorts of evil omens. Floods, earthquakes, even climate change were invoked… I’m surprised nobody mentioned plagues of locusts. Believers prayed, atheists denied, scientists explained. We all came away affected in one way or another.
It’s good now and then to be reminded of our true place in the universe. The next time our challenges or debates seem world-defining, it’s important to keep things in perspective.