Alien Technology and Human Comprehension: Insights from Westworld and Beyond

In the acclaimed TV series Westworld, advanced technology manifests in the form of artificial beings virtually indistinguishable from humans. The show's characters often fail to recognize the reality in front of them, instead defaulting to their programmed paths and ideologies about some greater purpose they are conditioned to believe in. This dynamic serves as a potent metaphor for our own world, where people frequently ignore immediate opportunities to help others in favor of abstract notions of the "greater good."

The notion of alien technology being incomprehensible to humans is a common trope in science fiction. However, upon deeper reflection, sufficiently advanced extraterrestrial technology may not appear alien at all to us. Just as electricity and computing would seem like magic to our ancient ancestors, technology that is centuries or millennia beyond our current capabilities could be operating all around us without our awareness. 

What we label as "alien" could simply be an extension of scientific principles we have yet to uncover, or natural phenomena we cannot yet perceive or comprehend. The "alien" is quite possibly a reflection of our own selves and creations, just currently beyond the limits of human understanding. To a caveman, a smartphone would be alien technology, but to us it is a mundane daily tool.

Even in the realm of human activity, we see examples of people unable or unwilling to acknowledge plain realities. Elected and non-elected politicians may start careers with honest intentions to serve their constituents, but over time find themselves pressured and manipulated by external powers and false ideologies. The bright scrutiny of the public eye can lead them to compromise their integrity, losing sight of the tangible ways they could help those around them.

This tendency to ignore what is right in front of us in favor of an abstract "bigger picture" also manifests at the micro scale. Cells in a healthy organism work together in harmony, each playing its role for the greater good of the being. But when a cell mutates and starts replicating uncontrollably, it becomes cancerous - pursuing its own distorted agenda at the expense of the whole.

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, some of us have retreated into our own "COVID cocoons" - isolated bubbles of safety, while governments and bureaucrats continue to bicker and wage wars (figurative and literal) with each other and their own people. Like a cancer upon the interconnected graphs of human civilization, this behavior takes a toll on the health of the species and the planet.

Perhaps the key to evolving beyond this self-destructive tendency lies in understanding the sacred geometries and patterns underlying the cosmos. Rather than futilely fighting against the sun, moon, planets and stars, we must work to harmonize with the fundamental forces locally and intergalactically. By sharing the best of our cultures and traditions, the shining stars of human expression, we can collectively transcend our baser impulses and become better stewards of our world and each other.

At the same time, we must also share cautionary tales - elements of our cultures that serve as warnings to others of paths best not taken. Whether in this world or others, the power of storytelling remains one of our greatest tools for growth and progress.

As we venture further into both inner and outer space, we must recognize that what we consider "alien" culture may be nothing more than a reflection of ourselves - a cosmic mirror that reminds us how much we still have to learn. By remaining open to new understandings while staying grounded in our shared humanity, we can build a future in which the wonders we once attributed to alien technology become the foundations of our everyday reality.

In this light, the quest to comprehend the alien is ultimately an endeavor to better understand ourselves and our place in the universe. As we expand the frontiers of human knowledge, we must never lose sight of the opportunities to make a difference in the lives around us. For it is in the smallest acts of compassion and connection that we sow the seeds of a better world - one in which the alien is not to be feared, but celebrated as an expression of our boundless potential.