views from around the universe

The universe is, of course, full of inhabited planets. The reason why the people of planet Earth don’t know this for sure is a little ambiguous.

Here is the thing: When the universe alliance discovered planet Earth, the alliance were so fascinated by the convolution of mistakes made by earthlings, and that paired with an astonishing believe in superiority, that the alliance decided not to contact planet Earth but to use it instead as a study object so that the alliance can learn from the mistakes and wouldn’t have to make those mistakes themselves.

However, as the situation on planet Earth worsens, the alliance decided to share some of their insights and testimonies with planet Earth in the hope that what the planets found out might be of use to the people of this plagued planet, too.

Quite a few planets of the universe have gone through similar evolutionary stages anyway and can offer some insights into their experiences.

And thus we present to you: Views from around the universe, a collection of thoughts, stories and testimonies from the planets of the universe.

All names and origins of our writers have been omitted to ensure unbiased reading. The names can be found in the great ledger of the universe, a copy of which is available on all planets. Except on planet Earth. You know why.

And just in case you are wondering, usually you will find that most of our authors smile while composing their contributions. Though, when you find very short statements, you may assume that the subject in question annoys the author in question.

It seems it hasn’t occurred to humans on planet Earth, yet, that all things are connected.

Creatures who resort to wars of any kind destroy themselves and their habitat.

Some of our planets have been on a similarly destructive road and since ending all wars is key to evolving as human race, we have dedicated a whole collection within the Views from around the universe collection to this subject and present it on its own website: The end of all wars.

More than fifty testimonies from planets who managed to end all wars are already introduced. And the first of these testimonies: planet one, the roots of war, was published on 28 September 2024 and is available as e-book on this website.

I don’t like being angry. But I find that anger is an incredible source of inspiration if we let it, and if the anger isn’t too strong.

In the case of Views from around the universe and The end of all wars, it was my extreme anger about the war in Ukraine which catapulted me into the universe far away from the madness.

Wrapped in the powerful expanse of the universe, a collection of thoughts and stories began to flow.

I don’t know how much my love for the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams influenced this excursion. But I am certain that without the works of Terry Pratchett and his sharp blend of bluntness and a deep care for humanity, I would never have considered inventing planets, let alone a whole universe of them.

Charlie Alice Raya, 2024

Our first contribution on this new website is on the rather complex and at the same time very simple subject of so-called AI, artificial intelligence.

There was such a run on this subject that we dedicated a whole page to this issue, and we will frequently add additional input.

It must be said though, in all fairness, that our contributors lean maybe a little too much towards the negative aspects of what artificial intelligence can, can’t, should, shouldn’t and all the rest of it.

Take a look – intelligence, artificial views from around the universe

I can only speak for myself, but stepping out of a situation or a narrative and imagining what the people of a completely different planet would say or recommend, has two big advantages: the distance allows for greater clarity, and the new planet allows me to find out how these people solved the problem.

The ensuing solution might not be applicable to planet Earth, but there might be something useful in the story nonetheless, or maybe the story simply sets another train of thought in motion.

Therefore I would like to invite writers to add stories to this collection, stories which might allow the people on our planet to get an idea or inspiration of what might be possible for us if we use our imagination to shape life on planet Earth.

You can find out more on these three page:

• Visions for Views from around the universe
• Make it happen stories
• Testimonies of planets, introduced

A word on the light dance images

In 2010 and 2011 I did some work with fairy lights. Most lights images on this website are from that series which I rediscovered in 2022. There is a lot more story to these images and a story made with these images.

Here are the links for more:

A light dance story, on the project’s Hub website

The origins of the light dance images on the Charlie Alice Raya photography website

And the first of the light dance series. Once you are there you can just click to see the following selections. These presentations start with Light lines, playing with fairy lights.

© Charlie Alice Raya, light dance, 2011/22

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