How autonomous are we, really? To what extent do our ideas become simply reflections of the ideas of others? We are unique, and important, and individual. But since we can never be taken out of context, this uniqueness is just a specific reflection of our encounters with others, and situations themselves. How many of our ideas are really ours? People– anyone: a stranger or a friend– can trigger ways of thinking or specific concepts that, if in alignment with our own reason and common sense, we will allow to grow inside us. For better or for worse.

We are constantly seeking a connectedness, a sense of belonging, and thus no one can ever fully disregard what others think. Some might be more influenced or malleable than others; some care more about fitting specific stereotypes while others are fixed on defining themselves as opposed to letting themselves be defined by others. We as humans are social, and therefore are never  completely free from our paradigms or from worrying about the outside. But these interactions and our internal dialogues between experiences and reflections are precisely what our inner universes are comprised of.

“As we journey to the stars and back, we are reminded that our exploration includes both looking outward, as well as looking back at ourselves… science & philosophy have shown us that we are not just detached observers but an integral part of this vast and interconnected cosmos, both witnessing and helping to create this amazing story” -The Earth Portal: A guided tour of the Universe and Our Place in It.

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