Mistake

The universe does indeed seem to make mistakes from time to time.  Often it would seem those mistakes occur within the framework of biological life.  It's almost as if in it's blind groping for progress, the universe can't seem to fully grasp this new and mysterious creation that exists within its bounds.  Mutations and the like run rampant, often with disturbing results.  Just look at pictures of malformed fetuses for proof of that.

However, one has to wonder if the universe really is so blind.  It has marched along for billions, if not trillions of what we know as years.  I really don't buy the big bang theory, although I do think it is leading us in the right direction.  Progress.  Building upon what was already made or discovered.  The universe itself is masterful in this, even without the need for a higher functioning mind or consciousness.  The universe has no need for a creator or a god, as it is doing just fine on its own thanks.

From basic subatomic and exotic particles to fully formed and functional life, the universe has marched onwards.  Forever building upon what it has already created.  We are simply an extension of that process.  Humanity, and it's ability to reason on a higher and abstract level, are as much a part of the universe as it is a part of us.  It created us, crafted us over countless eons of blind progress.  We are a part of a grand cycle, a massive and unimaginable framework of mindless patterns and forces that created and in essence control us.  Humanity is quite different from say, a rock however.  A human possesses a mind, and not only a mind that runs autonomous systems simply to keep the body alive, but a mind that can think on a higher level.  A mind that can begin to allow the universe to understand itself.

You see, when one really gets down to it and thinks on what I will call a "quantum" level, you realize that the few actual particles and vast amounts of energy and force that hold us and our world together are all just a part of the universe itself.  Humanity often likes to think itself separate from nature, or sometimes even above it.  There are even those who call us a plague, a virulent infection that is destroying our very home.  The one place in the entire universe known to contain all of the required things that make human life even possible.  It is hard to disagree with the latter.  Just watch the news to see the effects the hordes of humanity are having on the planet.

I do not agree with those who think that way, however.  I happen to see us as all part of a grand process.  An "experiment" by the forces of the universe in biological life that has led to the development of the higher human mind.  The universe has found a way to understand itself, and while we may be an evolutionary dead end, we are still part of a greater process.  While this mutation may be one that cannot continue to exist and may die off, it will lead to something greater.  That thing may be humanity itself realizing its place in the grand scheme of things, or it may very well be another creature evolving into a higher form much later in the universal timeline.  Perhaps they will be better adapted to recognize what the universe desires of them and to act upon that.  None of us is likely to ever know the answer to that or many other questions.  Some find that a depressing realization, but I see it quite differently.

The unknown has always frightened humanity and driven them to explore.  The human mind loathes a lack of understanding, and seeks to catalog everything it can for future reference and processing.  Isn't that odd?  Isn't is odd that the one driving factor behind almost every human action is the fear of the unknown and the desire to better understand it, or in fact destroy it?  The destructive nature comes from the reactionary animal brain, but the deeper drive of humanity is to understand.  I find it very odd that this would be the case.  Wouldn't it be better for us as a species to simply understand our surroundings and learn to adapt to them?  Wouldn't we be more successful as a species if everyone simply focused and adapted to their immediate surroundings?  There would be less competition, and in the end humans as a species would begin to diverge and better adapt to their surroundings.  This isn't the case though, and as a species we have always sought to better understand everything, everywhere.  The fear of the unknown seems to be almost deliberate, as fear motivates us more than any other emotion. 

I suppose what I'm getting at here is that there is a greater plan behind all of this, but there isn't any kind of greater force directing it.  There simply isn't a need for one.  The blind and dumb actions of the universe have created a masterpiece, and I think that if it could feel emotions that it would be quite proud of us.  We as humans are the pinnacle of evolution as we know it.  We should take great pride in that fact, and also realize that we should be humble in our grandeur.  Instead of constantly puffing out our chests at each other over who's god might have the bigger dick, or who controls what resource, we should instead be seeking to better understand our place in this beautiful universe.  We should be turning every bit of our energy over to exploration and scientific discovery, and also to better understanding each other and the forces that influence us.  In a way, that is the very thing we were created for.  The universe wishes to understand itself, and I feel we should oblige it.