What Holds Us Here What Holds Us Here
Outer Space, Science

What Holds Us Here

How Gravity Governs Life on Earth
Mikołaj Golachowski
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time 11 minutes

Without it, albatrosses wouldn’t be able to make use of the wind, while plant roots wouldn’t know which way to grow. Because of it, a giraffe’s neck contains a complex system of blood vessels. Gravity – naturally in tandem with evolution – has shaped life on Earth.

Contrary to common belief, the word ‘theory’ as used in science doesn’t signify more or less abstract, loose talk, but refers to a consistent set of ideas intended to explain observed phenomena. In that respect, the theory of evolution has provided the best elucidation of the diversity that characterizes animate nature. If another theory, which explains it even better, is proposed, science will gladly welcome it. As for today, however, it seems rather unlikely.

The same applies to the theory of gravitation, except that it’s easier now to observe gravitational force in our daily life. Even before Newton, people certainly knew that objects would fall down even if they didn’t want them to. Although already back in 1674 Robert Hooke talked about the force that pulls all objects toward each other, it wasn’t until 1687 that Newton explained the concept of gravity with mathematical precision.

This theory, however, is still being intensively tested not only by humans. Whoever has been lucky enough to live with cats must know that there are plenty of furry scientists who check incessantly whether a saucer will shatter as spectacularly as the jug did a second earlier. And since the repetition principle is important in science, as we know, they keep experimenting.

Bed sheets in space

Albert Einstein, a beloved genius

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The area of one of the former cemeteries in the Białowieża Primaeval Forest. Photo by Jędrzej Wojnar
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There’s nothing to fix your gaze on; you need but a moment to lose your direction. In spite of the sunny day, twilight is king in the Primaeval Forest, as the leaves of the trees block the light. No, not trees, rather giants, soaring oaks the trunks of which even three people wouldn’t be able to embrace. It isn’t until a few minutes pass that the solemn gravity of this place hits your consciousness.

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