SOLAR VIGNETTES: Culture & Wealth
Our solar system is just one amongst countless others in the cosmos. Our insignificant little oasis, revolving around Sol like clockwork, consists of 8 wonderous planets and their respective moons. Each of our solar neighbours holds many secrets yet uncovered, but with new science discoveries and development fueling further research of space, we are harvesting more knowledge than ever before in human history. We’ve yet to see how in the long run we, the citizens of Earth, will use this profound, ever-growing understanding of the cosmos, or even just of our local cosmic surroundings - will it just be a confirmation of our human nature we’ve been struggling with so far, or will we find a way to transcend our own habitual history of destruction and exploitation? Will we treat our future solar homes and each other any different?
These 6 short solar-inspired vignettes are from worlds not yet possible, intertwined with some interesting facts about the heavenly bodies from our neighbourhood. With a bit of silly human nature sprinkled atop, they explore two key themes: Culture and Wealth.
“CULTURE”
STORIES
The stories that accompany the designs are a commentary on our involvement and integration with culture. There’s as much amazing personal stories to be written as there have been individuals in our history. With a bit of imagination, one can only picture the trials and tribulations that a person from a potential future space-faring civilization, eternally infected with the human spirit, might need to tackle with on a daily basis. No matter the imaginary setting however, a human’s ability and nature to dream, rebel or despair will always stay safe from context.
PLANET FACTS
Although only three planet’s facts made it through the “final filter” to draw from, there is a lot more interesting and mind boggling information about the eight planets of our solar system to explore, even just out of sheer curiosity - as an enthusiast. Did you know for instance, that when the dinosaurs roamed the Earth, Saturn didn’t have its rings yet (they formed in the last 100 million years)? Or that Venus would potentially be a planet that’d be better to colonize than Mars (it’s way closer and warmer, but… we’d need to construct domes above the clouds, kind of like Cloud City on Bespin from Star Wars)? THIS is always a good starting point to start exploring - have fun!
MARS
“A MOON’S SACRIFICE”
“She was furious! She had been planning her trip for millions of years! Seeing Phobos reach the Roche point and be torn apart by Mars’ gravity was something she had been dreaming of witnessing for so long! But of course her saucer broke down just before launch and was now in the repair shop. She hesitantly borrowed Paul’s “Rust-Bucket”, which more than lived up to it’s name - there were moments when she wasn’t even sure she would reach Sol in one piece! At least now she knew why Paul was always late. And for the first time ever, so was she. When she finally arrived, the moon’s remains were already scattered around the planet and flattened into a disc. I guess a coffee-to-go will have to do…
MERCURY
“Studio Apartment (SAUNA INCLUDED)”
“The real-estate market has gone completely bonkers! Are there rooms, apartments and houses available to rent? Yes! But are they reachable to a regular mortal like me, a mere teacher, without mortgaging the next 5 generations of my extended family? Sadly, no. As soon as Ga-Ram announced she was leaving me and moving to Andromeda, I knew I’d have to find myself a new place to live. I hope Ga-Ram will miss me. Accepting the fact that I really had been living off her (she was right, even though I’d never admit it to her), I needed to find an affordable small place close to New Earth Megacity. So, Mercury. Granted, due to the planet naturally shrinking, my backyard is getting smaller every day, but it’s nice not to have noisy neighbours (it’s is a one-person sauna planet). The only downside is: NO PETS ALLOWED! Poor Kiku! … I really hope Ga-Ram misses me.”
SATURN
“THE REBEL”
“Our runaway planet has been traveling through the cosmos and “snatching” other planetoids from their solar systems since way before recorded history. But this ringed little gas planet was a huge wonder - it was the first planet that didn’t sink! However, the government sure wasn’t loosing any time with it, those vultures! For the first time ever, they acted swiftly and decisively, as they managed to completely close off the splash site to the public (and with all of us from the science community included!) and sent those damned megacapitol ships to suck the planet dry for it’s economic potential. Imagine all the knowledge that’ll be lost forever! I didn’t yet know how, but I had to stop them!”
“WEALTH”
STORIES
The stories attached to the designs are an exploration of the benefits, privileges, and silliness of power. Capitalism, especially today, is nothing more than just a socially accepted, fully-realized form of a pyramid scheme, where accumulation of wealth is gloryfied and taught as a life goal. Throughout our history, “being right” has been and still is enforced by wealth, enabling despotism and absolute power. And as the quote from John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton goes, “Absolute power corrupts absolutely”.
MOON FACTS
Today we know that at least when it comes to our solar system, moons are even more interesting topics for research and exploration that the planets they orbit. There’s also a lot of them (between the two of them, Jupiter and Saturn have 120 officially named moons + 43 unnamed ones). From rainfall, lakes and thick atmosphere that we could fly/swim in on Titan (using custom protective suits, of course), to Europa’s oceans, being kept in a liquid state by the tides caused by orbiting Jupiter - moons will be a treasure of knowledge that will result in new technologies for years to come. Finding life underneath Europa’s thick ice crust might happen sooner than later. Oh, and did you know there’s a “Death Star” Moon orbiting Saturn (check out Mimas)?
TITAN
“I DO”
“Dear Bojan, my answer is YES! 💖 Sprinkling Saturn’s rings with diamonds as a metaphoric engagement ring is truly one of the most romantic gestures a lady could dream of. I know our families will need a bit of convincing to allow us to marry, but as heirs to both the inner and the outer planets, our children would then one day rule over all joined Sol’s nations! That would be amazing! I know it might be too early, but I think Venus would be a great venue to have the wedding at – wouldn’t getting married above the clouds be magical? And for our honeymoon, I’ve been hearing there are lakes on Titan! Deborah tells me there’s like a million rules there, but I don’t care, your family owns it, right? I want to be the first one to skinny dip in Titan’s lakes! Promise you’ll keep me warm! 💕 Can’t wait to see you. Love, Blanka.”
TRITON
“CORRECTED PROBABILITY”
“Public Report 93.88, Article 823-9/II:a of the O.C.D. Book of Law: Triton, moon of Neptune, as the seventh largest natural satellite of our solar system, has been found guilty of being wrong. As we, at the Obsessive Compulsive Directorate, are the self-appointed shepherds to all things being in a correct and orderly state, we will not be idle and simply sit back to allow such a large natural body to rotate around its mother planet in the wrong direction. Thus, an effort to move Triton into a more correct orbit is now in full effect. A report of complete success is imminent.
Additionally, the O.C.D. has officially started with the »Re-Tilt Uranus« campaign, to compensate for the planet being tilted wrong. If Uranus bothers you - you too, should join the ranks of the O.C.D. today!”
EUROPA
“DISCOVERY FOR THE FEW”
“To: Mr. Bubblesworth Subject: Retirement, ID 31842177 Message: I would like to start by thanking You for Your confidence in my work. For the past 25 years, I’ve been flying Your Company’s Bubbllium® Tanker Ships, transporting Europa’s mineral water to Earth for You and Your partners, the Deserving 1%. I have proudly and wholeheartedly devoted my life to Your Growth and Thirst. As my retirement is scheduled after the next completed delivery, I was hoping to possibly get a few drops of Bubbllium® Mineral Water as a parting gift for the loyal years spent with the Company. It would truly be a once in a lifetime privilege. Yours Eternally, Bob.
To: Bob Subject: Reply from Mr. Bubblesworth’s Office, ID 31842177 Message: Absolutely no. Your work history and retirement plan are now annulled. How dare you?”
