As scientists and astronauts focus on troubleshooting the tangible challenges of space exploration, experts on ethics and theoretical quandaries gathered in Saudi Arabia asserted that space explorers should not forget humility.
This year's Riyadh Philosophy Conference was the optimal venue to address this human attribute, which some say is integral to a successful space expedition by the human race.
“Glory and power have been deciding factors in nations' quests to partake in space exploration, and both are detrimental to the altruistic focus of discovering other planets and becoming an interplanetary species”, said Dr Abdullah Al Ghathami, Prof of Criticism and Theory at King Saud University in Riyadh.
“Without a mechanism in place to keep these self-serving emotions in check, humanity may falter at the first step towards migrating to other planets in the future,” he said.
During his panel, titled “Humanity in space: glory or power,” Dr Al Ghathami lamented humans' desire to achieve success without taking a hard look at how that success is achieved.
When it comes to space, the final frontier, the need to justify the means can be more detrimental than useful, when nations' glory and power are involved.
It has been more than 60 years since space exploration began, yet ethics experts worry that competition for dominance remains. Political and technical power provided by acquiring space technology still serves as enticing reasons for new actors to join the space race.
The power struggle and glory of getting to the moon first clouded the bigger picture of why the human race should embark on an interstellar journey to explore space and beyond.
The space race was a period of competition from the 1950s to 1970s between the former Soviet Union and the US over who could conquer space exploration first. Glory and power went hand-in-hand during that period.
However, when the International Space Station (ISS) Programme was established, it became a testament to human's ability to focus on the bigger picture, to prolong the existence of the human race beyond Earth and to co-ordinate and monitor the varied activities of the Programme’s many organisations, made up of space agencies of the US, Russia, Europe, Japan and Canada.
This accomplishment has come under threat recently after Russia announced that it would quit the ISS after 2024 and build one of its own.
The floating science laboratory was always immune to political struggles on the ground, but relations between Roscosmos and the West have soured significantly since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine earlier this year.
“The quest to dominate space needs to circle back and recall the first time humans saw Earth from above, a planet void of any borders and alliances, and revel in the wonders that exist beyond Earth,” Dr Jacques Arnould, Ethics Adviser at Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES), told The National.
“Humility is the first lesson learnt as an astronaut and in space exploration.”
In his unique position as a full-time space ethics adviser, Dr Arnould reflected on the importance of space explorers acknowledging the insignificance of Earth in the limitless cosmos.
“We have the capability to know that and to develop the knowledge needed,” he said.
“ That's what gives the human race an edge.”
Moving beyond the early years of space enterprise, driven by proactive policies, nations must now adopt more reasonable goals, Dr Arnould said.
“Goals that factor in the consequences of actions, whether short- or long-term,” he said.
Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 has been helping to boost the local space sector. It is expected to create jobs in the field, and also reduce the country’s dependence on oil and diversify its economy.
Many Arab countries are increasing investment in space, such as the UAE, having sent a mission to Mars, an astronaut to the ISS, as well as launching domestically-built satellites and a long-term lunar exploration programme.
The Arab Space Co-operation Group was formed in March 2019 to help boost the contribution of Arab countries in the sector. The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Jordan, Algeria, Tunisia, Sudan, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Iraq and Mauritania are members.
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Fixtures:
Thursday:
Hatta v Al Jazira, 4.55pm
Al Wasl v Dibba, 7.45pm
Friday:
Al Dhafra v Al Nasr, 5.05pm
Shabab Al Ahli Dubai v Al Wahda, 7.45pm
Saturday:
Ajman v Emirates, 4.55pm
Al Ain v Sharjah, 7.45pm
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Race card for Super Saturday
4pm: Al Bastakiya Listed US$250,000 (Dh918,125) (Dirt) 1,900m.
4.35pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,200m.
5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Conditions $200,000 (Turf) 1,200m.
5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,600m.
6.20pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 $300,000 (T) 1,800m.
6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 Group 1 $400,000 (D) 2,000m.
7.30pm: Dubai City of Gold Group 2 $250,000 (T) 2,410m.
TOURNAMENT INFO
2018 ICC World Twenty20 Asian Western Regional Qualifier
The top three teams progress to the Asia Qualifier
Thursday results
UAE beat Kuwait by 86 runs
Qatar beat Bahrain by five wickets
Saudi Arabia beat Maldives by 35 runs
Friday fixtures
10am, third-place playoff – Saudi Arabia v Kuwait
3pm, final – UAE v Qatar
The five pillars of Islam
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How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.
Sri Lanka-India Test series schedule
- 1st Test India won by 304 runs at Galle
- 2nd Test India won by innings and 53 runs at Colombo
- 3rd Test August 12-16 at Pallekele
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Where to buy art books in the UAE
There are a number of speciality art bookshops in the UAE.
In Dubai, The Lighthouse at Dubai Design District has a wonderfully curated selection of art and design books. Alserkal Avenue runs a pop-up shop at their A4 space, and host the art-book fair Fully Booked during Art Week in March. The Third Line, also in Alserkal Avenue, has a strong book-publishing arm and sells copies at its gallery. Kinokuniya, at Dubai Mall, has some good offerings within its broad selection, and you never know what you will find at the House of Prose in Jumeirah. Finally, all of Gulf Photo Plus’s photo books are available for sale at their show.
In Abu Dhabi, Louvre Abu Dhabi has a beautiful selection of catalogues and art books, and Magrudy’s – across the Emirates, but particularly at their NYU Abu Dhabi site – has a great selection in art, fiction and cultural theory.
In Sharjah, the Sharjah Art Museum sells catalogues and art books at its museum shop, and the Sharjah Art Foundation has a bookshop that offers reads on art, theory and cultural history.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo
Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic
Power: 242bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Price: Dh136,814
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Women & Power: A Manifesto
Mary Beard
Profile Books and London Review of Books
