Speaking of ideas and creativity, I went to the theatre yesterday and saw Galileo by Bertolt Brecht.
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| (Painted by: Giuseppe Bertini) |
The play portrays how the invention of a telescope in the 17th century brings Galileo on edge with the Catholic Church, as he discovers the movement of planets and moons in accordance with each other. This leads him to the conclusion that the world is not the centre of the universe, rather a part of an infinite, moving universe where the astronomical objects circle around the sun, around themselves and even around each other!
Considering the simplicity of the preceding world understanding, where every single star is attached and moving along a sky dome surrounding our stationary earth to prevent them from falling down on us, it’s no wonder people get confused. After all, if the world revolves around itself, at which point are we upside down? Hang on tight, everyone!
The scepticism and counter-arguments are overpowering. Galileo is told that he is mistaken, and that even if he is not mistaken it would be best not to publish these ideas "for the sake of the morale of the population".
Yesterday’s blog presents that knowledge is more easily available, and the innovative and new-thinking population, independent of social stance, is now the major force for development. Galileo believed firmly in the power of common sense, and that if presented with evidence people would be able to draw logical conclusions and change their perceptions accordingly. He was clearly a man ahead of his time…
Are we there yet?
It has been said that signals between our cerebral hemispheres travels easier from the left to the right than from the right to the left. As the right side of the brain controls logic and rational thinking, and the left controls emotions and art, it has implications for decisions we make. It is easier for emotions to influence our logic, than for logic to influence our emotions. It takes a long time to change opinions with emotionally aspects.
SvarSlettI don't think we are there yet. We're just not made for it..
Or as we say in Norwegian: Gammel dame er vond å vende.
Translation: "Old lady is difficult to turn".
SvarSlettNot quite as catchy in english, but the message is clear. Still, if the lady needs turning, opt for the left-to-right direction... ;D