<The meaning of life>

Wednesday, February 26, 2003

So we dragged - almost literally - ourselves to the van this morning, and I drove Mom to the subway and the older ones to school. Then I set out on the trek home with the little guy. Twenty minutes to school, and 75 back. All the southbound DC traffic was lined up in our way, and we crawled. And there was all of a 1/4 inch of snow on the ground. Along the way I was serenaded with entreaties to "Go to McDonald's". Sorry, just dried Granola bar for us kid. Hope Kat hasn't spent a lot of time reclining on the cutting board and dishes back at home. I'd lock her up before we go out -- if I could find her. Where is that darn belled collar.

Then the school day is curtailed at 1:00 PM to get the kids home without the risk of snowbound travel in the evening. So the turnaround time at home is short. Plus, I'm dragging under the effects of a respiratory bug. I crashed this afternoon and slept more than the little guy. That let the older two watch a big dose of TV. Hmmm.

I've had enough snow, but like a lot of the universe, it is not for me to set the weather schedule.

posted by Nick 11:06:00 PM

Tuesday, February 25, 2003

The universe has coalesced in several stages through primal energy, through fundamental particles, through simple and complex elements, to planets, organic molecules, proteins, simple life forms, complex animals, and finally self-aware primates.

So we can contemplate the universe, and our selves, and the meaning of the nature of existence in the universe. Are there more than 3 physical dimensions? Are they wrapped around in little spirals? What is dark matter? Is there an edge of the universe, or is it defined by the limits of the travel of photons? What is beyond that?

But we come always to the grand questions about why, and how we exist. And I come back from the universe to the mundane.

Corrollary to this is the eternal question about the future of man. In the past the future of man was defined by the current religious beliefs which gave us the Pyramids and StoneHenge. Today's belief is based on the human mind and the science we study. In the future, do we dissappear as the universe ages and the Sun bakes the planet? Or will we dissappear in one of the 'million ice ages' that are expected to occur between now and then? Will even the particles of the universe disintegrate or collapse into a singularity?

Does intelligence increase and grow? Or are we doomed to destruction as a dozen terrorist campaigns reduce us back to rubble and rock throwing? Is the temptation to build and use that super weapon stronger than the need to cooperate? Now that we are able to communicate instantly around the world, should we not be able to recognize our universal humanity, and correct those social injustices and social problems we see? Food goes here, police manpower there, electricity elsewhere, and clean water everywhere. Why don't we have a continuous global discussion going on between people, and not power groups or governments?

I too, have a dream. I have a dream that my small children will grow up to a more peaceful, cooperative, communicative world, in which problems to one are seen as problems to all. And that they will have the chance to contemplate the universe and its purposes rather than scrambling to take care of the crisis of the moment.

posted by Nick 1:20:00 PM

" "

Free Space Field Random Thoughts

Wednesday, February 26, 2003

Tuesday, February 25, 2003