The Universe As an Infant
Everything goes in stages. If there is anything that the human brain does naturally it is break things into pieces. For example: time, colors, races, etc. It is interesting to note the similarities between the developement of an individual's perception with that of the entirity of society.
Shortly after birth, infants have no concept of self or surroundings, they often hit themselves with their own limbs and then panic, this is very similar to the animalistic lack of understanding humans began with. The next thing that developes is a sense of self, this is similar to the social tendancy to identify and name society itself (IE tribes or Europeans or whatever). Infants quickly develope a sense of self importance similar to being the center of the universe;
"I cry, they run over. I smile they coo. I must be the most important thing."
As age increases, perception becomes more complicated, it remains largely self centered but the concept of others (other planets in this metaphor) becomes evident, and eventually leads to the understanding of a larger order in surrounding.
One of the most important and critical steps is the ability to think logically, and displace one's self to view situations from another's perspective. We have only just gained this skill through the discovery of relativity. On the human scale, our society has the perception abilities of a 13 year old.
Mazel tov society. You're now a man. (/woman)
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