THEME #2 CULTURAL, SPIRITUAL AND HISTORICAL INTERESTS

The session participants first considered the question of the importance of the night sky to cultural, spiritual and historical interests. They agreed that all religions and cultures have a connection to the night sky. In fact, they posited that the night sky might be the only common ground among cultures.

Participants stated, in several different ways, that the night sky makes people realize humility in the face of nature: it confirms our insignificance and encourages questioning that may develop self-awareness/understanding.

It was suggested that there might be psychological effects of circadian rhythms that are negatively impacted by light pollution.

Happily for all, the night sky is free.

When light pollution affects our relationship with the night sky, we may lose our connection to it. We lose first-hand experience of the natural world and consequently lose knowledge of it. We lose artistic inspiration that may be expressed through mythology, art, music and literature.

In the developed world, we have created a "culture of the illuminated sky" and lose affection for the night. We turn it into something to fear, due to lack of knowledge and familiarity.

This group agreed that there is too little first-hand knowledge of the night sky today. The participants deplored the fact that there are too few resources to address all of the issues related to light pollution. Lack of funding, lack of public attention and support, and lack of policy directed to the issue all could be addressed by action taken by committed individuals and organizations.

THEME SUMMARIES MENU

1. Scientific and Biological Interests
2. Importance of the Night Sky to the Cultural, Spiritual and Historical Worlds
3. Importance of the Night Sky to Human Health
4. Achieving Dark Sky Compliance through Voluntary and Regulatory Means
5. Recommendations from the Symposium Theme Sessions