In Praise of Fireworks

Last night I watched Tempe's fireworks display over Tempe Town Lake from the top of the Languages and Lit. building at ASU. Since Sky Harbor Airport is on the very eastern edge of Phoenix and small Tempe is nestled right beside it, ASU is directly under the busiest flight path in Arizona. So, as I was marveling at the pyrotechnic display I couldn't help but notice the continual traffic of planes flying low over ASU and the lake just as it always does.

It is such a wonderfully arrogant display of control that we can set off precision explosions for our pure pleasure without even interfering with flight paths. I mean, imagine the complicated arrangement of color and light in explosion that is a firework. That, in itself takes masterful skill in exerting one's will over fire. Then consider that we have the ability to coordinate such a show by means of a computer. That, literally with the press of a button, one man can orchestrate a symphony of lights, incorporating whichever elements he designs.

And on top of all that, the show need not interfere with daily business unless one chooses it too. If you want to take the day off and sit with the kids at a lake to watch the show, then wonderful! Have a great time. But if you have to be at a business meeting in North Carolina in the morning, then the show doesn't have to interfere with your schedule, because we can control the fireworks to such a degree that we can remove the danger of shooting them off.

That is simply brilliant! It is a testament to our ability to shape our environment. An ability, which I am learning, that is preceded by freedom. Is it any wonder that fireworks are such an important part of our celebration of freedom.