Everything we know is made up.
We are atoms floating in the universe. Our socially-learned behaviors are human constructs. Our idea of right and wrong (which overall I generally agree with) is not something we can consider a universal constant. What’s acceptable, what’s not, what’s art, what’s obscene… all made up by humans and in the scope of the universe, it’s all been made up in the most recent sliver of the time of existence, the last few thousand years out of billions.
Physics and science is a bit less made up but it’s still made up. I believe there is discovery of underlying mathematical and physical truths, but our numbers, our calculus, our variables, our theories, our constants, our “laws of physics”, our units…. the way we count with tens, with twos, with eights, with sixteens… all made up.
A lot of what we consider rules are useful for helping people interact, but that’s a social contract, one we were born into and not one most of us consciously chose. A lot of the time it works. Some things we consider illegal are in the name of public safety but…. they’re all made up. Drunk driving? Yeah, it makes sense not to, but the law is made up. Psychedelics? I think it scares the powers-that-be. Prohibiting them is made up. Consuming them is too.
We’re well-dressed hairless bear-monkeys on an inconsequential Milky Way planet. Our made-up knowledge and rules don’t extend past the scope of our reach. It’s all made up by humans. Some of it works, some of it is just there and it’s so easy to forget to question it. Short of introducing a universal sky-daddy god(dess), there’s no extension of Earth’s values or ways (Earth’s humans’ ways) elsewhere. It’s all made up.
If we encountered another planet with life and saw beings doing what we do we’d think “aww, how cute. The little bears have clothes on and they have smaller little not-quite-bears for pets”. Their ways wouldn’t be our ways but there would be some overlap. Maybe we would find that overlap, maybe we wouldn’t even have enough language in common to communicate it.
We’re “supposed to” live a healthy and long life. But what if we choose to or are “supposed to” live a richer and potentially shorter one? We’re just something akin to bears with dogs, who make music and art. Love who you want to love. Take that risk. That kinda taboo thing? Maybe try it, or maybe don’t. Take care of yourself (maybe, probably? or don’t. but I like most of you, so maybe do?). Eat the thing that grows on this planet. Blast off and experience everything this life has to offer.
Find the thing(s) that make(s) your heart soar and explore it (them). Maybe it makes sense, maybe it’s scary, but life is too short to live in shackles. Step out of fear and live a life of strength and confidence, because in the end… everything is just made up.