Starry Messenger: Cosmic Perspectives on Civilization

by Neil deGrasse Tyson

For these reasons death may be more important to our state of mind than we are willing to recognize. If you were to bring a colorful bouquet flowers to a loved one, and those flowers were made of plastic, or even silk, they will surely be less appreciated than if they were real. Flowers that live forever miss the point. We seek the increasing beauty of each flower in a bouquet, as they unfurl one by one in the light of the day. We’re absorbed by their irresistible aromas. We duly accept the care and feeding they require. We embrace their senescence as the stems weaken, no longer sustaining the weight of the faded petals. Florists remain in business because the death of flowers—typically within a week of receiving them—is precisely what gives them meaning to your loved one. Compare that with forever-flowers that require no maintenance, never die, have no smell, yet remain just as beautiful a week, a month, or a year later.