Sharing a cosmic perspective.

June 24, 2009

For a lot of us involved in the scientific community, we know of and internally feel the beauty in science, but oftentimes take it for granted (maybe because it's a part of our daily experience). We need to remind ourselves to change this habit. In every moment, if we look deeply enough, the beauties inherent in the universe around us manifest. It is we that change, that see this beauty one moment and not the next, based on our current state of mind, literally. We are the limited ones, stuck in organism's bodies struggling to survive - the magic and majesty in the universe extends way beyond the human body and has for almost 14 billion years! The fact that science has figured out any of the structure of the universe speaks to the amazing extent of the human brain; we are lucky we can understand any of it!

Our massively limited perceptions and sensations, which usually last about 80 years, are structures weak at grasping the depth of the structures of the universe. There are animals on the planet that excel at every single sensory experience we have [a dog's smell, a mantis shrimp's sight, etc], except for our ability to process these sensory experiences into complex patterns with our brain.

But we can still feel it, and the more we remind ourselves of these structures in the universe, the more it has the potential to bring us a sense of spirituality, in a very similar sense to Buddhist philosophy: there is extraordinary power in transcending thoughts of the self. It is possible we waste a lot of needless energy over-worrying about ourselves. And these transcendent thoughts (altruism, nurture, service) really have the power to make us feel larger than just our human bodies. Check out this video by Neil-deGrasse Tyson on the hugeness of science, the spirituality of science. Really beautiful and inspiring.

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Danielle Applestone has been one of my best friends for over a decade now, a kindred spirit who has always seen the depth in the arts and sciences, and connections between the two. I've seen her go from an undergraduate to now raising a 4-year-old, which has been beautiful and illuminating. Her challenge in many ways, and I assume a challenge for many parents with scientific backgrounds, is how to talk to their young children about the 'big questions:' where kids come from, sex, where everything came from, more sex. When are they ready for this information? How real can we be about it? What is the truth, and can truth change based on the age of the child?

We talk about this regularly, and she writes some entries about the process on our design company page, Plebian Design. Rather than go into anything much on my own, I thought I'd reference one of her amazing posts, talking about the realization of death with a then 3.5 year old child. To be sure, he's a precocious guy, but I do believe conversations like this can not only apply to children of many ages and backgrounds, but they can set up the next generation to not only realize that science can offer beauty and comfort in its answers to the big questions in life, but we can also admit that our answers are never really sure, but are in the process of being discovered, always. Most scientific theories are revised; often scientists hold as strongly to existing theories as some do to religious dogma, and both potentially cause suffering.

Here it is, Danielle's post about Grandpa's Information. Let us know what you think, and if it speaks to you - if it does, she has more posts on the general blog page.

Can we even imagine what would happen if the next generation of children is brought up to feel this sense of awe and oneness with the universe, through the pursuit of knowledge?

boranj,
jeff

Comments

[pablo]

shrink an anvel with the same pounds

[Guddu]

I've just joined here......i'm great great fan of ur series called time wrap.I really wanna suggest something for the show...Can you please please guide me that where i can give my suggestions..please please please reply on my email:

mr.ab.spa@gmail.com

Thanks.
Great show again....

[Kelsey-Age 13]

I love your show! You have really done some amazing things!(the soda and mentos) I liked the clip of Neil deGrasse,too. Ale Gore is another good speaker.Hey, I have a few sugestions on your next episode.Here they are:
-someone cutting down a tree with a cainsaw.
-a sewing machine.
-someone jumping on a trampoline.
-someone hammering a nail.
-Hawiian grass skirt dancers.
-tap dancers.
-aucioneers (people who talk really fast).
-people playing soccer or other sports.
-a plane crashing into water.
-a plant growing (hi speed).
-lighnig striking.
-a cat making a big leap and landing.
-a fish eating a fishing lure.
-a spray bottle
-an automatic pencil sharpener.
-a candle flame.

Well, that's all I can think of right now,so by for now.

[anthony]

what does it look like when u slowmo a mouse running on a wheel? how does it stay balanced on wheel without falling through the cracks?

[Matthew Staton]

How do post a show topic idea: My wife is a freak about germs and says that I should close the toilet lid after flushing to prevent spray/germs from spreading. I never really took her serious until I felt spray hit me as I stood there. Then I saw my two year old standing next to the toilet and thought this might be a legit thing. Can you guys tape it and show people how to be more sanitary.. It's gross but good education too.

[Dakota Sumpter]

Many know, when heated by a lighter, the flint from another lighter, will get red hot. once that happens, you throw it on the ground and it explodes.. i think this should be on Timewarp. all people that have heard this idea, thinks its a great one and wants to see it to. so i hope they read this, and could possibly put it on the show. thanks - Dakota

[tyler miller]

you should strum a guitar and make it slow.It will vibrate.