Are We Living in a Space Opera?!

If I had my way, I wouldn’t splurge on space operas. They often use space as a mere backdrop, with technology thrown in just to make things more thrilling. It’s not my cup of tea.

Life on Earth vs. Galactic Adventures

But, regardless of my personal tastes, it’s fascinating (pun intended) to imagine that somewhere above us — while we’re bogged down with the mundane: dirt, water, stray cows, late trains, slow internet, traffic jams, pollution, surge pricing, salary woes, unemployment, family drama, failed relationships, cranky landlords, and nosy aunties — there’s a universe out there, filled with drama and wonders beyond our comprehension. And because those wonders are so mind-boggling, it’s easy for us to forget our own world and its struggles.

Movies like Guardians of the Galaxy make the cosmic chaos seem so much more thrilling than our own reality, even though their plot revolves around the same theme of survival in a hostile environment. Space, as depicted in films, often makes our day-to-day life feel like a trivial matter.

The Truth About Our Own Struggles

But after five years of living alone and experiencing life, I’ve come to realize one thing: nothing in this universe can be dismissed as insignificant. As thrilling as space operas are, they often lead us to believe that only what exists beyond Earth’s gravitational pull is truly remarkable. And because of that, we downplay the struggles we face here on Earth. We convince ourselves that our world, and everything happening in it, is small and inconsequential.

That idea doesn’t sit right with me. Technically speaking, Earth is in space, which makes it part of the space opera. Yet, because we see ourselves as small in the grand scheme of the universe, we lull ourselves into a false sense of security, believing we’re immune to the dangers lurking in space.

Beyond the flashy weapons and advanced tech (because survival is key, right?), space operas also explore the essence of human life — falling in love, getting married, raising kids, finding stability, and facing death, all mixed in with the usual space battles, intergalactic adventures, and romantic heroism.

The Unseen Parallels Between Sci-Fi and Reality

We often fail to see the parallels between space operas and our existence. In classic space operas, they imagined computers for solving space problems. Who would have guessed these same devices, now known as smartphones, would be at the core of our everyday lives? In that sense, we are living in a space opera, a sci-fi reality no one truly anticipated.

Just like the endless attempts in sci-fi movies to find life on other planets, we too have made strides. Some findings even hint that we may not be alone, which is a thrilling (and slightly terrifying) thought. What if other beings exist out there, far more powerful than us? And what if these little green men aren’t as friendly as we hope?

Our journey through the universe is an adventure. Not unlike those space operas we enjoy on the big screen. But the true fantasy, the real magic, is here on Earth — in the beauty of nature, in the diversity of life: humans, animals, birds, and fish. It’s a world far more beautiful than any VFX-laden film could depict.

The Ultimate Survival Story

At the end of the day, space operas may present the extraordinary in dazzling ways. But they reflect our own human struggles and challenges. Humanity must survive. And no matter how unique our battles may seem, we’re all in this together, navigating life like characters in a cosmic drama — just like a Space Opera.