The Stupendous Story of Us: From Big Bang to Big Brother in Fifteen Frantic Chapters

The title of an 1897 painting by Paul Gauguin, "Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?" reflects the enduring questions of human existence that have been asked throughout history. While science has provided answers to many of our "how" questions, the "why" questions remain largely unanswered, requiring a personal response. In "The Stupendous Story of Us," we explore these questions from various perspectives, considering our mastery of the world, our exploration of the inner self, and our interconnectedness.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 23 March 2022
Publisher: Unicorn Publishing Group

Where do we come from? What are we? Where are we going? These profound questions have echoed through the ages, captivating the minds of philosophers, scientists, and artists alike. They form the title of an iconic 1897 painting by the French artist Paul Gauguin, a master of color and symbolism. Gauguin knew he was pushing the boundaries of human knowledge by daring to ask these questions. He also recognized that these questions are as old as time, having been contemplated by our ancestors on the African savannah and by the Roman poet Lucretius in his long poem On the Nature of Things, written just before the Christian era. Lucretius sought natural explanations for the behavior of matter, without recourse to gods. However, he also acknowledged that the world we perceive is largely a creation of our mind.

Since then, science has made remarkable strides in answering many of our "how" questions, almost reaching the point of offering us a Theory of Everything. However, Gauguin's "why" questions remain largely unanswered, requiring a personal response that goes beyond scientific knowledge. As Lucretius intuited, without this deeper understanding, joy and beauty cannot fully flourish.

In "The Stupendous Story of Us," we embark on a comprehensive exploration of these questions from various angles. We delve into our mastery of the realm of things, our exploration of our inner world, and our interconnectedness to each other. The pace is frantic, as life is short, knowledge is infinite, and the challenges ahead are pressing.

Through this narrative, we seek to unravel the mysteries of our existence, to understand the forces that shape our lives, and to find meaning and purpose in our journey. We explore the complexities of our emotions, our thoughts, and our relationships, recognizing the profound impact they have on our experiences and our collective destiny.

As we delve into the depths of our existence, we come to realize that we are not alone in our quest for knowledge and understanding. We are part of a vast tapestry of life, interconnected by a web of relationships and experiences that stretch across time and space. We recognize the importance of empathy, compassion, and respect for all living beings, as we strive to create a world that is harmonious and sustainable.

In conclusion, the questions of where we come from, what we are, and where we are going are as timeless as they are profound. They require us to engage our minds. our hearts, and our souls. They demand a personal response that goes beyond scientific knowledge. By exploring these questions from all angles, we can deepen our understanding of ourselves and our place in the world. We can find joy and beauty in our existence, and create a future that is both prosperous and sustainable.

Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781914414541