SOMEWHERE IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC — Is certainty good? We think so, right? But on an extraordinarily remote island in the South Pacific — whose very name is uncertain — doubt is treasured.
What is the official name of this place — is it Easter Island or Rapa Nui?
Did the first humans arrive from South America or Polynesia? Did they come around eight centuries ago or twelve centuries ago?
When were the statues — called Moai — created? How many Moai are there? Why do so few depict females?
How were the Moai transported across the island? Why were they knocked down?
Why did the civilization on the island collapse in the 18th century?
Are the Moai in the British museum owned by Chile or the British monarchy?
What is the meaning of the writing on the glyphs?
Is it sensible that this island 2300 miles west of South America is in the same time zone as Philadelphia — so that in the peak of summer the sun rises just four and a half hours before noon but sets nearly nine and a half hours after noon?
Here, it doesn’t matter that these questions have no answers. It may be better that they have no answers.
Here, it is preferable to think about these questions spiritually and emotionally, not scientifically and logically. Here, uncertainty about the past enhances a feeling of modesty. And with little known about the past, there’s more focus on today and tomorrow.
Here, meaning comes more from considering than from knowing.
