In this scientific age, is the world still a place of wonder?

Contrary to popular belief, the feeling of wonder does not always stem from ignorance, but, more than often than not, an appreciation of beauty. Thus, despite the growth of our collective knowledge, the world is still a place of wonder. In fact, it is the very works of nature that still appeal to us in a magical and mysterious way. This is easily seen in the rise of eco-tourism today. People today are going back to the nature which science has attempted to explain, drawn by the wonder and amazement of their natural surroundings.

Also, science and technology has opened up new and amazing realms that continue to puzzle and fascinate us. The most obvious modern frontier is space. Man today continues to gaze upon the heavens with a sense of humility and wonder as he has been for millennia. The significant difference has enabled us to see and reach out and discover new and often fascinating phenomenon in the cosmos. New discoveries such as a black hole and nebulae are the wonders and awes of the scientific age.

However, within this new source of discovery lies the hidden danger of global apathy. When new wonder appear a dozen a day, there is a tendency for us to grow bored and tired f such things. Our new found science is genetics is a good example of this. Despite the continuous train of new discovery, the enthusiasm and excitement of genetics had died down somewhat, and with it, the wonder of the human genome. In fact, society today often fails to acknowledge the host of wonders this world has to offer, mainly due to a sort of ‘jaded expectation’. This, coupled with the rather subjective nature of wonder, leads to a rather monotonous and sterile world.

In today’s world of scientific and technological advancement, the wonders of this world seem to fade and even disappear. However, it is not the world that has lost its wonder, but man who has lost his ability to wonder, as can be seen from society’s apparent reluctance to acknowledge the sights and wonders of his terrestrial sphere. In thus scientific age, the world is still a place of wonder. We are simply not wondering enough.