04-14-2015, 04:13 AM
quote:The "concern" of increasing man's knowledge and understanding of the Universe and all the interactions therein is eternal and perennial.
Originally posted by ironyak
Morning Pam. Thanks for the insight on Tom's absence. His perspective is missed, especially on this topic, but one's health is of course far more important. Please pass along kind wishes for plenty of rest and a speedy recovery.
No doubt knowledge of the stars is deeply important to Hawaiian culture as evidenced by the numerous chants and stories, as well by contributions to astronomy such as King Kalakaua's role in supporting the 1874 Transit of Venus project that spanned the globe.
However, is it difficult to speculate that this one interest would trump other cultural concerns. Trying to guess the relative importance of these complex values, especially from the outside, is to presume an understanding that may be challenging to justify.
The TMT and Mauna Kea each posses a legacy from the past and a potential for the future; if there is a solution for how these intersect and balance out it's hopefully to be found in allowing each perspective to speak for itself and all sides trying to listen and understand.
IMHO of course.
"Cultural" concerns are transitory and short-lived. There is a new "culture" in town, and (thankfully) it values the collection of information via the scientific process more valuable than any trifling other importance that some tiny sliver of humanity may have in that piece of real-estate.
IF they are so concerned about that piece of real-estate, perhaps they could take a shovel-full away somewhere and build a shrine around it so they can pray to their dirt-gods at will.
Progress is critical, and trumps all.
Ono - So Fast - So Tasty!
Ono - So Fast - So Tasty!