MOULTRIE, Ga. — So the people near me were discussing an “outer space’ program they saw on the National Geographic channel. One said he didn’t buy into the “big bang” theory. Another said his wife used to have big bangs, but he prefers the way she has her hair cut now. I realized I was in the midst of keen minds and astute wit.

I often watch the National Geographic channel because I like to learn more about this big blue marble we live on and its relationship to other planets and the universe in general.

I’m still trying to wrap my mind around “black holes.” And no I’m not making reference to our nation’s capital and our national debt.

The program I watched the other night said if the earth got close to a black hole it would be sucked in, and life on our planet would immediately end.

When I look into the night sky, I see a lot of black holes. I know these are not black holes by scientific definition — just dark spaces between the stars.

The program I was watching gave me an animated view of how black holes operate. It also talked about distances between planets and stars and how we may see a star that has burned out many years ago, but the light is just now getting to us. In country terms, “that’s a pretty fur piece”

I admire those scientists who can make sense out of all of this. They tell us they are actually looking back in time, relative to theories that were proposed by Albert Einstein many years ago.

I tend to believe in the “big bang” theory. What concerns me a bit is that one scientist said it’s not a matter of whether will be hit by another sizable meteor or astroid but rather when it will happen.

We have some pretty smart people who can detect large rocks coming at us 10 years out. And they are trying to figure out ways to alter their paths should they line up with the earth. Supposedly it was this type of collision that caused dinosaurs to be wiped out, giving way to mammals and eventually Democrats and Republicans.

Now in my thoughts it’s a good thing dinosaurs were depleted. Can you imagine the problem on interstate highways  if these creatures were still around?

I was also fascinated to learn that there are rogue planets in our universe. They are just shooting through space unattached to a star like the planets in our solar system. I wonder if there is life on these planets and how difficult it would be to plant a garden given the lack of consistent seasons.

Now I realize we still have people who doubt that we have put man on the moon. I put them in a category with those who debate whether that’s Bullwinkle’s real voice.

And for the most part, I don’t debate “big bang,” black holes, and rogue planets. I also don’t debate religion which often gets people a little catawhampus when the concept of  “big bang” is discussed.

One fellow in the aforementioned group said he didn’t watch such programs. He said the ideas being proposed run counter to his beliefs. Basically he is afraid of new knowledge.

I do believe there is life elsewhere in the universe. I can’t imagine what form it takes or whether it would be hostile or friendly. I wonder if they have terrorists, diseases, crooked politicians and fried chicken.

And I guess the thing that I keep going back to after watching these programs are those big rocks that could slam into us, making issues we deal with here today moot points.  Given the scope and mysteries of the universe, I think we often major in minors.

(Email: dwain.walden@gaflnews.com)