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European Journal of Applied Sciences – Vol. 13, No. 1

Publication Date: February 25, 2025

DOI:10.14738/aivp.131.18358.

Gurevitz, M. (2025). The Rise of Humanity as a Galactic Experimental Pilot: In Tribute to Kurt Vonnegut. European Journal of

Applied Sciences, Vol - 13(1). 427-428.

Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom

The Rise of Humanity as a Galactic Experimental Pilot: In Tribute

to Kurt Vonnegut

Michael Gurevitz

Department of Plant Molecular Biology and Ecology

George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University

Ramat Aviv 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel

In the background of unexplainable processes that led to the creation of the universe (‘Big Bang’

theory), or lack of understanding of the continuous increase in its expansion rate, or the forces,

other than gravitational (e.g., dark matter), that prevent the moving away of galaxies and stars

from one another, a provocative fiction about the development of humanity on planet Earth

was raised by the American writer Kurt Vonnegut in his book ‘The Sirens of Titan’ (ref. 1). In

this novel, a spaceship of a highly developed civilization is stuck during an intergalactic voyage

due to some spoilage, raising a dilemma of whether to ask for rescue from its mother planet,

which might take almost endless time, or raise an intelligent civilization nearby that would

eventually reach the stage capable of producing the missing part required for repair. In choosing

the second option, the entire history of the human race can actually be depicted as an alien

attempt to construct a spare part for a spaceship. As much as Vonnegut’s fiction may be

considered an outrageous imaginary idea, we may consider it equally credible to the unproven

religious perception by a large portion of humanity about the creation of the world by a super- being (God). Moreover, the idea about other life-supportive planets and intelligent civilizations

is not new and rests on a statistical probability that the universe contains almost an endless

number of galaxies and stars (like our sun) surrounded by planets (ref. 2). It is plausible that

some of these planets are occupied by developed civilizations, that preceded that on Earth, thus

reaching higher levels of intelligence and abilities. In considering Vonnegut’s idea, we actually

classify humanity as a tiny temporal developing culture in a broad galactic space inhabited by

superior intelligence, a comparison that may resemble in a way our own attempt to explore the

growth and abilities of ants, or even a bacterial culture in a laboratory flask (ref. 3). When

inoculated, the initiation of the growth is slow and is described graphically as the lag phase.

Then at a certain point and presence of unlimited resources in the medium, a faster

multiplication begins that graphically is described as a logarithmic growth phase (continuous

cell doubling), until density is too high and the resources are limiting, leading to competition

among the cells and the logarithmic growth ceases. The culture then enters a stationary growth

phase (Plateau in the curve; number of divisions equals that of dying cells), that lasts as feeding

on dead-cell debris is possible before most cells die and the growth curve declines. If we

describe the proliferation of humanity on planet Earth graphically, there are cumulative

indications that we may soon approach, or are already in the stationary phase of our growth

curve (ref. 4), and so the rise of our species as an intergalactic evolutionary experiment (à la

Vonnegut), is unfortunately nearing its end. This sad conclusion is ratified by various existing,

as well as forthcoming predicaments such as the growing world population that may shortly be

unable to feed all people; or, the increase in clashes over territories and energy reserves; or,

the industrialized exaggerated exploitation of Earth’s resources accompanied by massive

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European Journal of Applied Sciences (EJAS) Vol. 13, Issue 1, February-2025

contamination of the environment and destruction of photosynthesizing organisms

(responsible for the primary production of macromolecules and oxygen), or the damage to the

atmospheric shield against cosmic irradiation. When these destructive activities are

accompanied by extreme climate changes due to the green-house effect and ice melting in the

poles; or, extinction of many terrestrial and sea animal and plant species playing an important

role in food chains (ref. 5), humanity actually expedites its depressing future. In addition, we

witness reckless leaders endangering humanity by threats of using weapons of mass

destruction (nuclear or biological; e.g., Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine; China’s

aggression against Taiwan; Threats of North Korea toward the entire world; Iran’s imperialistic

aspirations in the Middle East; The religious worldwide Islamic Jihad). Perplexingly, despite the

risks, most people are apathic to the dangers, perhaps due also to soothing words by certain

scientists claiming, despite the unsecured future, that humanity may still have ample time for

decision and action. Another bothering issue is the enormous discrepancy between suggestions

of leading scientists (e.g., S. Hawking) to develop means for evacuation of humanity from Earth

to other life-supporting planets, and the actual limited technology and unattainable issues that

may prevent such evacuation even after the development of means for intergalactic travel (ref.

6a and b). Of note is also the poor cognitive abilities of most world population, still busy with

archaic religious rituals, marginal aggressive interactions, and territorial debates and wars,

while ignoring the global risks. These drawbacks indicate that despite the important scientific

warnings, humanity is unprepared for cosmic enterprises.

Although the above words about the uncontrolled destructive activities of humanity and absurd

relations sound horrible, they align with Vonnegut’s criticism and disappointment with our

race. In his write ups (14 novels, 3 short-story collections, 5 plays, 5 non-fiction works, further

publications after his death), Vonnegut expresses his socialistic philosophy, willingness of more

equality, and thrive for decency, while rejecting any kind of violence. His blunt words and ideas

shocked certain US educational systems due to explicit sexual scenes and obscene language,

and some of his books were even banned at the time. Still and luckily, his original ideas, mixed

with wry attire, imaginative science fiction, fantasy and social commentary were finally

recognized, placing him in the front among philosophers of our era.

References

1. Gurevitz M & Dagan R (2024) The creation of the world - A galactic event beyond human grasp. Eur J Appl

Sci, 12(4) 81-84.

2. Vonnegut, K. Jr. (1959) The Sirens of Titan. Delacorte Publ. USA

3. Hawking, W. S. (1988) A Brief History of Time. Bantam Dell Publishing Group, UK

4. Gurevitz M (2022) Has humanity reached the stationary phase of its growth curve? Eur J Appl Sci, 10(5),

169-170.

5. Carson RL (1962) Silent Spring. Houghton Mifflin Comp. Publ. USA

6. (a)Gurevitz M (2023) The gap between public perception and scientific advancements endangers humanity.

Eur J Appl Sci, 11(2), 189-191. (b)Gurevitz M & Dagan R (2024) Colonizing other life-supporting planets: an

unrealistic fantasy. Eur J Appl Sci, 12(2), 359-361.