In its most basic form, the word “world” describes the totality of objects, to which our minds can be accessed, and to which our lives are determined. The nature of this world is described differently in various disciplines. Some conceptions regard the world as completely unique whilst others speak of a “plurality of worlds” encompassing human beings and all other aspects of living.
The modern world, in all its aspects, appears to be rational, although religions have attempted to describe a divine world, or a world ruled by gods. Gods are believed to be the supreme beings existing above and beyond the earth, whose commandments must be obeyed. However, it is more common for religious movements to describe technological fundamentalism as the only possible road to a divine existence. This is not an incorrect description, but it must also be qualified. Technology may indeed provide a path by which the spiritual or the higher life can be attained, but this is not the ultimate goal.
It is noteworthy that technology is often used to justify gods. Ecomodernists argue that technology is a form of communication, and communication technology often uses telecommunications systems to link two (or more) locations. The implication is that the world is unified through technological fundamentalism, and that the laws governing the universe are the same as those governing earth-based communications systems. This raises the question as to whether there is a place for the concept of God.
For some ecomodernists such as Martin Rees, the world is nothing more than a series of computer programs governed by simple logic. Such a view may seem to render religion irrelevant. However, religion plays an important role in the understanding of technological fundamentalism. According to Rees, humans have been searching for a transcendent reality ever since they began to walk the earth.
What we do know is that we are part of a very small world, with potentially little life on other planets outside of our solar system. What we do know is that many cultures throughout history have interpreted the world around them differently. Some of these cultures built gigantic monuments in attempt to connect their little worlds. Similarly, religious structures are constructed to attempt to connect the little earthly realms outside of earth with the faraway gods of those civilizations.
Some of us are drawn to wild and free-flowing ideas such as art and music. In fact, it is difficult to think of modern music without some trace of wild and free-flowing thoughts. Similarly, artists have always sought to portray the outside world in the most creative way possible. Thus, it is not surprising that we find ourselves drawn to the spectacular colors and spectacular sunsets of places like Cuba or Jamaica. While these are just two examples of what makes the world feel like a whole, what is important to note is that people and places that flourish in the areas of wildness and creativity seem to enjoy more prolonged periods of prosperity and happiness than do people and places that are more conservative by nature.
