Reaching Out as Civic Responsibility

The Home Planetarium Association oft times takes a philsophical bent when it comes to this obscure pursuit of Stars at Home. Its not because we are the only group out there - the 'Observatory Central Planetariums as a Hobby' group revels in the practical as well, the engineering marvels, the history, the restoration of classic technology. Another group celebrates the video revolution. We all have our parts to play, in what just 10 years ago was a very lonely pursuit. We even mix at times with the planetarium professional community, although I suspect we are viewed with somewhat raised eyebrows. How many professions have hobbiests mirroring them at home? Think about that!

But the interface between private passions and the public has fascinated HPA from the beginning, and I begin to mingle these thoughts with my spiritual growth as a Christian. And that means wealth is meant to share. Give away even. So it is my civic responsibility I have come to believe, that demands I reach out and share these stars of mine.

We in HPA and OC have grappled with the fears, the difficulties, the paradign shift - if you will - even if you won't :), that comes with taking a hobby where we would probably be content to 'tinker in the dark' forever, and coming out of the dark to bring the public into the dark.

My 4th grade english teacher - Mrs Sherfy - by the way, she has a memorial website! she touched THAT many lives .. is cringing probably!

But I am endeavoring to reach out. Its hard really. Everything in a local community just seems to be humming along by itself. Ive even run a local newspaper ad. Gotten visited by my local Astro Club. And yet ... the silence is deafening. Therefore I believe I must do the reaching out.

Its civic responsibility. Its biblical giving.

They say you know (just between you and me).. the REAL satisfaction is in the giving away.

Time magazine just pondered this dilemma at a macro level. If to accumulate great wealth and not share it is a sin, what shall we say of Bill Gates? Only ... now he is sharing it on unprecedented levels.

On our own micro level, are we not little Bill Gates's.. if we build a temple to the stars.. and project them. do we not have a responsibility to share them?

For the betterment of all.

I think so. gare