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Airplane Streaks Across the Sky During a Sunset

Written by David Steltz

Posted on March 18th, 2015

Last Edited on January 2nd, 2021

Tags: Philosophy

I am going to briefly explain why I believe that anyone who isn’t awe-struck by airplane streaks across the sky during a sunset is simply not paying attention.

Now first of all, these things are, at a base level, just objectively beautiful. If anyone does not recognize that, they need to rub their eyes and try again.

Then, physically they are fascinating, how the setting sun hits these isolated streaks of moisture suspended in the atmosphere and they’re visible for miles from the surface of the earth.

Theoretically/metaphysically they are awe inspiring, that the sum of certain endeavors from mankind, indeed the endeavors of countless men, small and human, has resulted in these fleeting things of massive proportion to the earth that are so visible and beautiful, yet the byproduct of an end to a means of transportation, not actually the end of any means. (Breathe). That is to say, those streaks were never the reason for any of the mechanical engineering, design, or production of airplanes. They just happen to be what happens.

And finally, spiritually, the fact of beauty arising from all this. The phenomenon of beauty itself. That we can be stirred so deeply by such an arbitrary mass of molecules. Such beauty is so ingrained into the matter of creation that it inevitably reflects the intimate nature of the Creator, as do brush marks the hands of a painter.


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Airplane Streaks Across the Sky During a Sunset