Why are we here? Some Thoughts - RW Until we know whether or not life is common in the Universe, we cannot judge how unique we really are. However, according to our current knowledge, we constitute an intermediate state of extreme complexity, a third world, that is suspended between the extremely small and the extremely big, i.e. the micro- and macro-cosmos. Particle physicists and astronomers study the Universe from its smallest to its largest known entities, and we human beings are privileged to witness through our instruments events that are far beyond our daily life in scope and size. In this sense, I think it is a tremendous privilege that we are endowed with mental facilities that allow us to watch and, moreover, attempt to understand such events, incredibly remote on all types of scales in space and time. With our intellect, we understand better our surroundings and in our minds we undertake fantastic travels. The real question is then whether or not our presence and the fact that we possess these amazing abilities is something that happened by chance or whether there is indeed a deeper purpose. Are we, as it has been surmised, the "conscience of the Universe"? I would prefer to think that there is indeed a reason behind our existence, but I am doubtful that we shall ever be able to fully comprehend what that may be. Richard M. West - ESO astronomer