Dear College of Science Faculty and Staff, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is a hilarious commentary intertwined with thoughtful philosophy, around the significance of humans and planet Earth. It started as a BBC radio play that gained a cult following, and became a TV series, movie and quintet of books. The author, Douglas Adams, rewrote the material many times, so the plot and order of events changes depending on the medium. I would recommend the books. I read the entire series to my daughter when she was in high school, and we both laughed a lot, even though some of the humor is British or a bit historic. For example, the main non-earth character named themself Ford Prefect. In the Guide, the entire entry for Earth reads ‘mostly harmless’, and hopefully that is true on a galactic scale. It seems hard to think that here on the surface, in 2023. You may best know the Guide from the part where a supercomputer is asked for the meaning of life, and after countless eons of calculation, gives waiting hoards the answer: ‘42’. Actually, there’s much more, including an interesting take on the origin of humanity, the importance of one’s towel, clear instructions on how to fly, and a Restaurant at the End of the Universe, which you can experience twice daily. There is also the ultimate punishment device for unruly life-forms, where the devastating effect is to understand one’s insignificance in the galaxy. (Fortunately for the reader, in the only instance where this device is used, someone has inverted the controls, and the life-form emerges triumphant, thinking instead that they are the most important being in the universe.) Overall, the Hitchhiker’s Guide confirms the truth - Earth is not the center of the universe! In the Galaxy of Science, it takes many contributions to solve the challenges of our planet and beyond. It takes many contributions to educate the next generation of science professionals. Some contributions are large and gather attention from Northeastern Global News (here, here and here) or we feature these in our weekly COS CONNECTS newsletter, and all are great causes for celebration! Most of our contributions to education and research don’t get into the news. They are step by step, but hugely important, towards high-impact educational and research outcomes. Every contribution, made by every Northeastern University College of Science member is significant and helps build up the Good Power of Science, for the good of our university, the good of society, the planet and even the Galaxy. Thank you! to every person in our wonderful College, for your significance. Warm wishes for a Shana Tovah to our Jewish members, at the start of the High Holidays and new year 5784.
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy of Science – 9.15.2023