Is the Universe weird?

I would say the universe is more mysterious than weird. There is a lot about the universe that I don’t understand and even if I had more scientific knowledge, I’m pretty sure I still wouldn’t have the answers. Weird implies an abnormality but to say that the universe is abnormal I think is basically saying that it doesn’t make sense. Why should it though? Who are we to be able to neatly box and label everything so that we can have all the answers in a package? We are just a minute aspect of this universe and although we could afford to be more in tune with it, I think it is perfect that it doesn’t all perfectly make sense.

Uncertainty

I must admit at first I was a bit surprised to learn that light particles can appear differently depending on how they are observed and measured. This concept was clear to me in terms of human relations, because of our psychological make up and conditioning which influences our perception of each other and can change according to experience. I guess the distinction I had been making was that something like light particles don't have a psyche and therefore should remain constant every time they are observed. Of course I was not considering the role that the observer and the condition of the observation play in this. The reason I think that a shoe is an object to put on my feet is because that is how I have been taught to use it, but how would someone who has never seen a shoe perceive it? They might see it as something to eat their food out of, or some kind of center piece for the dining room table. If there is no mind perceiving, then what is the nature of anything really? I have heard in Buddhist philosophy that nothing is inherently existent and I can see how Uncertainty fits into this notion. It seems to make sense that if there is an observer creating a particular situation, then that is what brings their observation into existence, but it is processed through their personal filter and therefore does not necessarily capture the complete nature of what is being observed.

The Meaning of Time

When I think of time, I think of the birth, growth, decay and death of all things. Everything is subject to impermanence. Yet our modern world is designed to make us feel that we can somehow beat time or save time, by making everything so convenient. If our body starts to show signs of decay, we can get botox, facelifts, hair plugs and hair dyes. Since we are too busy with work to make our own food, we can microwave our precooked meals, eat out or have it delivered. We can simultaneously socialize on ichat, text, email and facebook, without ever having to step foot outside the house or actually face anyone. We are so busy being busy that we are becoming increasingly out of touch with the natural cycle of life and I think at the root of this is a fear of death. I often hear people say they feel that each year passes more quickly than the last and I have also felt this way. It may be that we have created so much distraction from the fact that nothing lasts forever, that our sense of time has become completely warped.

Week 1 Quiz

Physics Quiz

What attracts me to Chinese Medicine?

I think that Chinese medicine is a thorough and holistic system that supports the body’s natural functions in healing. Chinese Medicine has helped me though some crucial times of health crises, when Western medicine could not, and I am inspired to learn more about this medical system in depth to assist myself and others on the path of healing.

What do I think of Physics, really?

I have had a big block about Physics and science in general until now. I last studied science in high school and had difficulty understanding what was going on due to several teenage type of distractions, lack of interest and some exceptionally bad teachers. Now that I have a particular motivation to study Chinese medicine, I am looking forward to facing the fear so that I can broaden my scope of understanding of the world.

Now that I think about it, have I ever experienced time “slowing down” or “speeding up”?

As I mentioned in class, traveling has often created the sense of time slowing down for me because all of my usual routines and distractions are not in play and my whole perspective on time is shifted. On the other hand, every day I see my niece who is now 19 months old, walking and talking it seems as though someone has pressed a fast forward button from the moment she was born.