A Power in the Universe that Dwarfs All Others

Imagine there’s a power in the universe that dwarfs all others. Certain groups of intelligent beings hold it in awe while others mock them as woefully misguided and weak, using physical means to dominate, instead. They believe they’re mining wealth, the most unassailable resource possible. They disregard evidence that even beings they consider lower evolutionarily use the power. And then, one day they discover their dominance can’t protect them from destruction. They have nothing that can stand between them and annihilation. Natural forces have deemed their existence expendable. Science fiction suddenly feels important.

Recently, I re-watched the science fiction film PROJECT HAIL MARY. The title appeals to humans who want to believe there’s always a final, desperate path to rescue, regardless of how hopeless the dilemma seems to be. Movie goers love a last second reprieve. Another aspect of the story I found especially endearing was the fact that the designated hero wanted no part of accepting personal destruction, even to save the world. Fear of death is a pervasive weakness on earth that makes her occupants vulnerable to manipulation, but we like to think right, or wrong, circumstances inspire altruistic gestures. Heroes are generally depicted as grandly selfless. Even in classic western tales, a bad guy (it’s usually a guy) finally chooses to sacrifice himself to save others. Heroes exist, especially in the midst of disasters. At last, we work with others to multiply our options and increase our odds of survival.

While PROJECT HAIL MARY itself is clever and often amusing, the plot reminded me of  WAR OF THE WORLDS (the first film version). Although the threat in that film is dire, the narrator explains that God can choose to preserve mankind, no matter how dreadful human behavior has been. As people huddle together in churches, temples, and synagogues, we see the best of humankind, a good reason to want to give them another chance.

What’s the magic ingredient that allows intelligent beings to continue living when divine intervention isn’t obvious?  Cooperation within diversity. Determination to preserve one another. Love.

PROJECT HAIL MARY is an antidote to the hatefulness running rampant in human society. It’s as if we’re approaching our final exam that will determine whether humans survive by transforming. I remember a time when American optimism (the belief that we can make it through anything together) was touted as a defining characteristic of our nation. The feedback we receive now from other countries is far less flattering. No wonder, then, that the main character in HAIL MARY is not materialistic, self-important, or preachy. In fact, he’s something of a loner. He cares nothing for fame or fortune. He loves learning and teaching. He’s a member of the diverse segment of human society that has decided the time is here to grow up to be kinder to ourselves and our planet, but he’s not sure what he believes about a supreme being or an afterlife. He isn’t distracted by thinking he has to know before a decision is moot.

Humans have free will, a choice whether to recognize their debt to love and honor their place in the diversity of life or to assume death is the final chapter so they go out with a bang.  Is there a chance another intelligent society will step in to save us and the Earth from our most tragic decisions? Maybe. If there is a superior being, will that One deem us worthy of preservation or will the Creator merely sigh that the experiment giving intelligence to animals called humans has gone seriously awry and bring out major rain clouds. In the meantime, PROJECT HAIL MARY reminds us of the hope we refuse to surrender and makes us smile.