There is a remarkable parallel between the physical structure of
atoms and the functional structure of our solar system - not in the
sense of the "Bohr atom" (that the atom is a miniature solar
system), but in the sense that the atomic nucleus drives the stellar
engine and its evolution (the creation of new elements), while the
electron shell is responsible for the chemical activity of the
planets and their evolutionary productions, from the creation of
simple, hardy minerals to the elegant, delicate biochemistry of life
itself. The structural "division of labor" in the atom is mirrored
in the functional "division of labor" in our solar system: nuclear
energy and the evolution of elements in the sun, electron shell
energy (chemistry) and the evolution of mineral and biological forms
on earth. In this respect the duality in microcosmic atomic
structure (nucleus plus electron shell) prefigures the functional
macrocosmic duality of stars plus planets, which is all the more
remarkable in that both dualities are necessary to the development
of life, the central rationale of our
cosmos.
While the stars are busy making the elements of the Periodic Table,
the planets are busy making the chemicals of life. Even our "dead"
moon plays a large role in the pageant of earth's life (especially
marine and early life), stabilizes our climate, and perhaps works in
other ways we do not yet fully understand (such as earth's internal
heat and magnetic field?). Even space rocks (in the form of
comets and asteroids) have played significant roles in the evolution
of our planet's biology. The significance of the other planets for
earth-life is unknown (except in the case of the formation of our
(unusually large) moon, but must certainly be large (for example, in
determining our distance from the sun). The galaxy at large is
necessary to produce the many different heavy elements life depends
upon (via supernovas and stellar generations), and the entire cosmos
is needed to supply temporal and spatial dimensions adequate to
produce evolutionary forms intelligent enough to give the cosmos
self-awareness, and a recursive, higher level of creativity,
experience, understanding, and an evolutionary
direction toward abstract/symbolic forms of information
- as expressed (for a local example) in human imagination, thought,
language, math, science, technology, art, philosophy, etc..
Hydrogen bomb development by humans is the equivalent of an atomic
nucleus directly interacting with the electron shell of an atom, or
of bringing a piece of the sun's interior down to earth. It is as if
the electron shell has decided to help the nucleus along its path of
transformation. But this cannot be a good idea - the nucleus doesn't
need our help, and the nuclear energy domain is on the order of ten
million times greater than that of the electron shell. In nature, a
good result is obtained if this type of interaction (photosynthesis
for example) is moderated by 93 million miles of intervening space
(plus our atmosphere and the sun's atmosphere, earth's magnetic
field, night time, overlying water, etc.). The symbolism/mythology
relevant to this development is mind-boggling, recalling the opening
of Pandora's box, the Genie escaping the bottle, the forbidden fruit
of the Tree of Knowledge, the punishment of Prometheus, and all
kinds of forbidden compacts with the devil and other human
transgressions upon sacred (or cursed) grounds. Obviously, humanity
has entered into a new age, the Nuclear Age (of fission or fusion),
but is this a utopian age of great promise, or a horrible (perhaps
final) age of great danger? Historically, we have behaved like apes
with knives. Now science has replaced those knives with bombs which
can destroy the world. Can we change our behavior in time to save
ourselves and our planet? Is this why we see no visitors from other
parts of our galaxy?
(Oct. 2017)