Canals on Mars Commentary

Giovanni Schiaparelli astronomy

Canals on Mars

The Italian astronomer Giovanni Virinio Schiaparelli, director of the observatory at Brera, charted the surface of Mars and described it as being criss-crossed with channels. Unfortunately, the Italian word for channels is canali, mistranslated canals, and everybody knows canals are built to move water to support agriculture to feed people in cities. From a long distance, lines seen while straining at Mars through wavering skies and murky lenses convince the eye there’s a pattern and a purpose. It is easier to believe than to doubt. Even the willing suspension of disbelief is an easy trick for creatures who fall in love who survive hurricanes and pogroms who have their own prejudices and self-interests and for whom thoughts of little red Martians is entertaining or comforting. Normally, the mind sees only what it wants. Belief in the unsupportable is the definition of belief. It is banal to point out that many are sadly mistaken, even people with good intentions. When the unpredictable cannot be avoided the shock can damage the mind. After the trauma subsides scar tissue can diminish the flexibility that helps the mind work. The work of the mind is to make the subtle shifts in color and shading cohere into pleasures or threats. Canals on Mars are far enough away not to threaten but only tease. Maybe this explains everything.