We live in a vast, possibly infinite universe. The objects and phenomena in this universe can be considered information. This information is sometimes useful and sometimes not; it depends on what one is looking for. Despite the apparent randomness of our universe we seek to discern patterns and meaning from what may be inherently meaningless. When life appears it begins to order and seek things according to it’s whims. Communication in its vast diversity of forms begins to occur. Notions and whims become ideas which in turn become agreed upon rules and facts. So long as consciousness exists, so does meaning.

The significance of any event is subjective. While you are wishing upon a shooting star, an astrophysicist may be pondering the meteorite’s trajectory, composition and origin. You may enjoy the holiday music as you go shopping even while it drives the employees up the walls. What is background noise to you could be what someone is actively looking for. To an illiterate person the signs you use to navigate the world are just jumbles of (possibly) familiar symbols.

We should therefore seek to broaden our receptiveness to symbols and patterns, especially those that we know were put in place by a conscious being. Learn a new language or expand your knowledge of your own. Learn new methods of communication, both to express yourself and increase your understanding of what is going on around you. Search for new possible signals in the noise that surrounds you; listen for the voice in the static. Doing so can only broaden your perspective and you may be amazed by what you notice about things that you once regarded as “background”.