Three-Ring Circus-Science

Philosopher of Nihilism, Friedrich Nietzsche “And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”
--Friedrich Nietzsche

Dr. Lawrence Krauss, highly esteemed professor of physics and cosmology at Arizona State University, schooled and trained at Harvard and M.I.T.and author of A Universe From Nothing, recently proclaimed that:

“The illusion of purpose and design is perhaps the most pervasive illusion about nature that science has to confront on a daily basis.”

If Dr. Krauss believes that he is a part of nature himself, one can begin to see that his purposeful statement above is rather tenuously tethered to anything resembling rationality. But then Dr. Krauss “doubles down” during an interview on National Public Radio and, on purpose, one must suppose, says this:

“.... there's a plausible case for understanding precisely how a universe full of stuff, like the universe we live in, could result literally from nothing by natural processes.”

And then,...naturally.... just to clear things up, in a brilliant stroke of relevance, he delivers the sophisticated philosophical coup de grace:

"We're just a bit of pollution…. If you got rid of us…the universe would be largely the same. We're completely irrelevant."

Amazingly (well, to me, anyway), Dr. Krauss has become one of the chief celebrity spokespersons for the Cult of Religious Scientism, and he's making the promotional circuit. He is sought after, quoted, interviewed, widely published and... presumably.... wined and dined. He has become one of the media darlings for the new age, cutting edge, consensus “science” despite the obvious irrational futility of his thinking.

He has taken his “scientific” cosmological shtick on the road, and it appears that people are actually paying good money to listen to what he has to say. Why anyone would take an admitted, self-proclaimed “completely irrelevant” "bit of pollution" seriously is quite beyond me.......

British philosopher, logician and mathematician, Alfred North Whitehead once opined:

Alfred North Whitehead, philosopher“Scientists animated by the purpose of proving that they are purposeless constitute an interesting subject for study.”

Indeed....... “Amen” to that.

The current popular atheistic nihilism of Fundamentalist Materialism has found a worthy evangelist for The Faith. Religious Naturalism has found her Billy Sunday, and he has pitched his fashionable avante garde tent.

Step inside, folks, if you dare. But be forewarned....it won't be pretty.

Billy Sunday (George Bellows, lithograph, 1931)

* * * * * * *

P.T. Barnum once proclaimed that “There is a sucker born every minute.” I guess he was right. The twenty-first century “Circus Science of the Grand Illusion” has rolled into town, and many are flocking to see the show. My advice, though, would be to hide the children. Don't worry about the ferocious lions and stampeding elephants so much. But please beware of the trash-talkin' irrelevant clowns!

“Three-Ring Circus-Science”

I'm not writing this on purpose...
(There's no purpose here at all!)
That would contradict my nature..
Grand Illusion's Cosmic Call.

You may think there is a Reason
Why I have this pen in hand...
But you'd simply be mistaken!
Bottom Line....There IS no Plan!

You may think you're really thinking
Something purposeful, my friend,...
But your thoughts are really pointless
With no meaning in the end!

If you think my thoughts have meaning,
I'm afraid you've misconstrued!
No, my aim, like yours, is pointless.
My friend, “meaning” just deludes.

“Meaning” really has no meaning...
Don't you see? It's crystal clear!
There's no Bottom Line to fathom...
And for sure no “god” to fear!

God is dead, and nothing matters.
So “Why bother?” you may say.
Mr. Nietszche had it figured,
And he's coming back today!

There's no answer....There's no question!
There's no Reason. There's no Rhyme....
Just a Big Black Empty Zero
In this bad dream we call “Time”.

There's just Nuthin' to believe in.
I can prove it all in school!
From my wisdom you can profit...
To cash in...just play The Fool!

I write books, and I write papers;
I give talks...(Don't ask me “Why?”)
I give interviews and lectures...
Pointless thoughts that people buy!

I debate and sit on panels...
People pay me to explain(!)
Why they do that is beyond me!
(Just don't rock my Gravy Train.)

I've convinced 'em I've got knowledge,
Quite the “guru”, so they say!
They're impressed with my credentials
And my pointless resume.

So, I guess I'll keep on preachin''...
Hey! Why not? ….It's who I am!
Barnum recognized the suckers...
And I recognize The Scam!

Hey! Stick close.....Be my disciple...
And then you'll be wise like me!
You'll be asked for your opinion,
Then they'll thank you graciously.

If some call you “nuts” or “looney”
Oh please, don't take that to heart...
First remember.... there's no meaning,
Then recall... I'm REALLY smart!

* * * * *

"Portrait of Nietzsche" (Edvard Munch, 1906)

Roll away the stone from Nietzsche!
Bring him back just one more time!
Resurrect The Saint of Darkness...
God-Is-Dead-Talk...How sublime!...

Join the Preachy-Nietzsche comeback!....
All's illusion...Dig it, man!
Nihilistic revelation...
Nothing matters!...Take a stand!

P.T. Barnum...Friedrich Nietzsche!
Goodness gracious! What a pair!.
Join the Po-Mo Circus Training...
Join the clowns in dark despair.

* * * * * * *

"Weary Willie"

Some swear Nietzsche-Minds are brilliant.....
So enlightened!..So well-schooled!
But Psalm 14: 1 reminds me
That the True Light really rules...

* * * * * * *

“For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools....” (Romans 1: 22,23)

Lord, have mercy on us all!.....(And He has!)