Reviewing a lecture on the origins of the Universe I again came across the comment that to know about how the Universe began is to know ourselves. Whilst I have doubts as to whether knowing where our atoms came from and what makes them, would in any way further an exploration of our emotions and various rationales (few of which appear rational to the observant) I do wonder why we think knowing more changes anything?
With the advance of science all we have seen is that other explanations of how we came into being have become more abstract, more metaphysical and more arcane without in any way compromising the belief system of the religious around the world. Science has even been integrated into religions. It does not change political science which has long been the exploration of how to control crowds whilst making a lot of money. It does not change art which has ever found itself antagonistic to ignorance and emotional coldness in equal measure.
Knowledge never changes human needs. Along with the need for every human being to have a mother and father whether or not they know or love each other, comes the need to be part of a community, interface with society at some level even if it’s from the streets, and find a reason for living at all.
Black holes won’t change any of that.