How has e=mc2 affected you?
I don’t know if I know how to answer this question. We are all affected by the discovery of E = mc2 in the most obvious ways. I wonder more about how we might have not been affected. What would our world be like today if Einstein hadn’t made the discovery of the equation? What would the world be like today if Oppenheimer and Feynman hadn’t taken the equation and run with it?
Is it at all possible to use the equation for beneficial purposes and resist the urge to explore the more nefarious possibilities?
If I had to think of a way that E = mc2 has affected me, I think it has to be by putting Feynman on my radar. Boy oh boy, do I wish that I had those tapes on his physics lectures with me! Regretfully, they’re in storage in Merced. I’m also wishing that I had paid a lot more attention the first time I listened to them! Feynman had a way of explaining physics that was so easy to understand.
Here’s a youtube video of Einstein discussing his theory. It’s short, but really neat to listen to him talk.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CC7Sg41Bp-U&feature=related
There’s also lots of videos of Feynman lecturing, though I couldn’t find his specific lecture on relativity.
How would you compare the four “forces”?
The four forces are pretty groovy, if you ask me. I don’t know that they can be “compared.” It seems to me they are totally different things, though it’s obvious the universe wouldn’t work at all if they didn’t all exist and fit together as they do. The electromagnetic force and the strong nuclear force counterbalance each other perfectly. The electromagnetic force holds the nucleus and the electrons together while the Strong force holds the nucleus itself together. Clearly, they are both necessary to maintain the structure of the atom. The weak nuclear force makes it possible for us to understand the age of, well, everything. Without that, we’d have no way to measure and prove the age of the Earth and track the development of life on it.
What is the function of gravity?
Gravity’s the thing that holds the whole system together! I love that gravity is the weakest of the forces and yet impacts literally every atom in the universe. Without it, nothing would hold together, bodies wouldn’t rotate around each other. If it were any stronger, we’d not be able to move or function as we do.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Week Three Homework
Synchronicity
What evidence can we find for synchronicity? Evidence is everywhere. We simply need to be open to seeing it for what it is. By calling things "coincidence" we close ourselves off to the possibility of synchronicity and the connectivity of humanity. I think that our need to define things and put parameters around them is really more a function of our own self-imposed limitations than the true functioning of the universe.
The other night I ran into a friend at a coffee shop. We had a short chat, a couple of laughs, and went our separate ways. I dreamt about him that night. It wasn’t a bad dream, just . . . weird. Then I woke up and couldn’t go back to sleep. So I got out of bed at 3 am to do some work on the computer. After firing up the laptop, I find that in the time I was wrestling with this weird dream about him, he was sending me an email. The email wasn’t exactly the same context as the dream but in a similar vein. That’s not coincidence.
I think our lives are littered with examples like the above. We simply need to open ourselves to seeing them for what they are. I also think that if we can open ourselves to understand our influence on the universe, we could be so much more effective in generating change.
Connectivity
In my spiritual community we use an analogy of the ocean to explain connectivity. We are the ocean. Meaning that we are each part of the collective consciousness. When the ocean crashes against the rocks at the shore, the collision shoots up a spray of droplets. It’s here at this point that the droplets forget they are part of the ocean. By their perspective, they are simply these droplets, totally separate and disconnected from any other droplet. In fact, they are still part of the ocean. It’s simply a question of perspective that makes them think they are a totally independent entity.
We are each part of the collective consciousness and can have access to that consciousness if we can but open ourselves to see it.
What evidence can we find for synchronicity? Evidence is everywhere. We simply need to be open to seeing it for what it is. By calling things "coincidence" we close ourselves off to the possibility of synchronicity and the connectivity of humanity. I think that our need to define things and put parameters around them is really more a function of our own self-imposed limitations than the true functioning of the universe.
The other night I ran into a friend at a coffee shop. We had a short chat, a couple of laughs, and went our separate ways. I dreamt about him that night. It wasn’t a bad dream, just . . . weird. Then I woke up and couldn’t go back to sleep. So I got out of bed at 3 am to do some work on the computer. After firing up the laptop, I find that in the time I was wrestling with this weird dream about him, he was sending me an email. The email wasn’t exactly the same context as the dream but in a similar vein. That’s not coincidence.
I think our lives are littered with examples like the above. We simply need to open ourselves to seeing them for what they are. I also think that if we can open ourselves to understand our influence on the universe, we could be so much more effective in generating change.
Connectivity
In my spiritual community we use an analogy of the ocean to explain connectivity. We are the ocean. Meaning that we are each part of the collective consciousness. When the ocean crashes against the rocks at the shore, the collision shoots up a spray of droplets. It’s here at this point that the droplets forget they are part of the ocean. By their perspective, they are simply these droplets, totally separate and disconnected from any other droplet. In fact, they are still part of the ocean. It’s simply a question of perspective that makes them think they are a totally independent entity.
We are each part of the collective consciousness and can have access to that consciousness if we can but open ourselves to see it.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Uncertainty, Causality, and the Weirdness of the Universe
Uncertainty?
Yeah, got that. I think I left last weeks's class more confused than when I went in! Ultimately, I think the only real uncertainty is within ourselves. I was particularly intrigued by the idea that we don't know what the electron is doing when we aren't looking at it. Why do we need to know? I think, ultimately, the electron knows exactly what it needs to and is supposed to be doing and that we ought to just let that happen.
I go back and forth with the idea of intention in the universe. I think there's a very specific order to the universe and I don't think much of it is in any way accidental. Who or what is driving the intention - well I have no idea on that. As I travel on my spiritual path I become more and more content to allow the universe to unfold without really needing to spend a lot of energy figuring it all out. I'm very much at peace with the idea that it all unfolds in the necessary pattern.
Causality.
Cause and effect. We all know and understand the relationship between cause and effect. You eat the cookie, you get the fat. You stay up all night playing WoW, you experience the fatigue the next day. We get that. But what about effect and cause? Are they interchangeable aspects? Sometimes, I think yes. I know for me, I often have the experience of thinking about things before they happen. Last Tuesday night I had an interesting dream featuring a fire drill at the school. The next morning, as I was lecturing, the fire alarms were set off by smoke in the kitchen. Twice this week I was thinking about a friend and he called within minutes. Both times, I knew it was him before ever picking up the phone to see who was calling. My life is scattered with anecdotes like that, from as far back in childhood as I can remember. Like my interest in the universe, I don’t try to analyze it or understand it. I accept it as something that is, and respond to the call as it comes.
Do I think the universe is weird? In some ways, yes. In most ways, I think it is a beautiful melody. I think it is a puzzle of wonderful, colorful pieces. It’s true that there are lots of aspects of our world and our societies that leave a lot to be desired, but at the end of the day, I think it’s a pretty groovy universe.
Yeah, got that. I think I left last weeks's class more confused than when I went in! Ultimately, I think the only real uncertainty is within ourselves. I was particularly intrigued by the idea that we don't know what the electron is doing when we aren't looking at it. Why do we need to know? I think, ultimately, the electron knows exactly what it needs to and is supposed to be doing and that we ought to just let that happen.
I go back and forth with the idea of intention in the universe. I think there's a very specific order to the universe and I don't think much of it is in any way accidental. Who or what is driving the intention - well I have no idea on that. As I travel on my spiritual path I become more and more content to allow the universe to unfold without really needing to spend a lot of energy figuring it all out. I'm very much at peace with the idea that it all unfolds in the necessary pattern.
Causality.
Cause and effect. We all know and understand the relationship between cause and effect. You eat the cookie, you get the fat. You stay up all night playing WoW, you experience the fatigue the next day. We get that. But what about effect and cause? Are they interchangeable aspects? Sometimes, I think yes. I know for me, I often have the experience of thinking about things before they happen. Last Tuesday night I had an interesting dream featuring a fire drill at the school. The next morning, as I was lecturing, the fire alarms were set off by smoke in the kitchen. Twice this week I was thinking about a friend and he called within minutes. Both times, I knew it was him before ever picking up the phone to see who was calling. My life is scattered with anecdotes like that, from as far back in childhood as I can remember. Like my interest in the universe, I don’t try to analyze it or understand it. I accept it as something that is, and respond to the call as it comes.
Do I think the universe is weird? In some ways, yes. In most ways, I think it is a beautiful melody. I think it is a puzzle of wonderful, colorful pieces. It’s true that there are lots of aspects of our world and our societies that leave a lot to be desired, but at the end of the day, I think it’s a pretty groovy universe.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Reflections on time
I've always had an advesarial relationship with Time. When I get a call, I have eight minutes to get there. When someone stops breathing I have four to six minutes to get them breathing again before permanent brain death occurs. In a major trauma I need to have a patient treated, packaged, and off scene in under ten minutes.
Time never seems to be on my side.
I have an obsessive need to be on time. I'm annoyed when I can't be. I'm annoyed by people who can't be on time. On the other hand, when there's no commitment, I have no particular need for Time. On my days off, I'm not concerned for what time it is. It's just when I'm committed to some action or obligation that times becomes so important. Basically, I think of Time as the enemy, or I don't think of it at all. It's interesting.
I've spent some time this week thinking about Time. I don't really like being a slave to Time but I can't really see where Time negotiates. This is funny to me, because I'm sitting here trying to find a way to describe my thought process and in my head, Time is like a three dimensional entity. It's an authority figure. The power it has! I've decided to edit my post to capitalise Time because for me, it seems to be a three dimensional thing with a proper name. A name that should be capitalised.
We were supposed to post our reflections on time, so I don't know if this fits the bill or even makes any sense. Time and me, we're not friends and I ignore it whenever I can. In ways that time can affect me personally, I'm not terribly concerned. I'm not concerned about my age. My biological clock gave nary a tick nor a tock. If I'm not scheduled to be somewher I can spend an entire day reading a book or sitting on the grass playing with my cat. But when my actions impact other people, Time is a taskmaster I dare not oppose!
Time never seems to be on my side.
I have an obsessive need to be on time. I'm annoyed when I can't be. I'm annoyed by people who can't be on time. On the other hand, when there's no commitment, I have no particular need for Time. On my days off, I'm not concerned for what time it is. It's just when I'm committed to some action or obligation that times becomes so important. Basically, I think of Time as the enemy, or I don't think of it at all. It's interesting.
I've spent some time this week thinking about Time. I don't really like being a slave to Time but I can't really see where Time negotiates. This is funny to me, because I'm sitting here trying to find a way to describe my thought process and in my head, Time is like a three dimensional entity. It's an authority figure. The power it has! I've decided to edit my post to capitalise Time because for me, it seems to be a three dimensional thing with a proper name. A name that should be capitalised.
We were supposed to post our reflections on time, so I don't know if this fits the bill or even makes any sense. Time and me, we're not friends and I ignore it whenever I can. In ways that time can affect me personally, I'm not terribly concerned. I'm not concerned about my age. My biological clock gave nary a tick nor a tock. If I'm not scheduled to be somewher I can spend an entire day reading a book or sitting on the grass playing with my cat. But when my actions impact other people, Time is a taskmaster I dare not oppose!
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Meaning of Time - week one quiz
What attracts me to Chinese Medicine:
After a long history in western medicine, my draw to Chinese medicine is that it works where western medicine often doesn't. I'm enamored of the idea of being able to fix or ease problems where western medicine can offer only medications or no help at all.
What do I think of physics, honestly:
I love physics. I used to read articles about physics in magazines like Scientific American when I was a kid. I can't say that I really understood much of it, but I found it fascinating. I'm excited to learn more!
Have I ever experienced time "slowing down" or "speeding up:"
When I'm working as a paramedic treating someone seriously ill, I'm required to do lots of things in a very short span of time. It's interesting how I can accomplish so many things so quickly when I can't do it if there isn't someone dying. As for time speeding up, I think time goes fastest when we are on break between trimesters!
After a long history in western medicine, my draw to Chinese medicine is that it works where western medicine often doesn't. I'm enamored of the idea of being able to fix or ease problems where western medicine can offer only medications or no help at all.
What do I think of physics, honestly:
I love physics. I used to read articles about physics in magazines like Scientific American when I was a kid. I can't say that I really understood much of it, but I found it fascinating. I'm excited to learn more!
Have I ever experienced time "slowing down" or "speeding up:"
When I'm working as a paramedic treating someone seriously ill, I'm required to do lots of things in a very short span of time. It's interesting how I can accomplish so many things so quickly when I can't do it if there isn't someone dying. As for time speeding up, I think time goes fastest when we are on break between trimesters!
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