Week 2

Uncertainty.

The most interesting thing that jumped out at me from the reading and the class discussions is the effect of the observer. We see that the outcome of scientific experiments changes according to what the observers expect to see. In the eastern perspective the microcosm is seen in the macrocosm and visa versa. Do we see what occurs on a quantum level occur at our level of experience? Yes and no. What significance do we have on our individual lives as "the observer"? Does my intention and expectations effect what happens in my life? I would say so. If we include the possibility of infinite parallel universes (discussed last week) perhaps the paradox of Schrodinger's cat isn't a paradox at all. Perhaps our macro universe does exist in such a way.

Causality.

If A and B then C. We seemingly experience this all the time, although I would argue the umber of variables present in any equation is no less than the entire universe...
A and B then C .... As determined by the observer? 

Weird.

The universe is totally normal. however our definition of normal doesn't include that normal is totally weird! Try it. for a whole week instead of saying "woah... weird" say "normal" instead. This could have vast cultural implications I tell you... if we could acccept all that occurs outside our mundane protestant newtonian cultural view point as part of the magical nature of the universe.... woah! normal!

physics week 1.

Quiz.
Can we slow time down?
Hell yeah! East and west both agree on this, but have different ideas how to get there. We can either go really really fast, or just sit in meditation for a long time. Change your perspective yo! Here I go, gonna give it a try....

What are the cultural implications of time?
How a culture views time is going to affect how individuals and communities act. If you were to view the whole universe as a dream consisting of multiple now realities that individual experiences as a series of lifetimes how would you act? Rushing about, being mean to people and taking advantage of anything you could get your hands on? Not me. I feel a sort of natural patience arise when I get into that more expansive view.  Interesting how in the east that emphasis is more often on quality than meeting a deadline. But if life is short and then you die and that is it, second after second ticking off into the abyss of history forever.... feels a little rushed. And self important.

What about parallel universes?
Dreams. Deja vu. Past life experiences. Near death experiences. Doppelgangers.
"Once I, Chuang Tzu, dreamed I was a butterfly and was happy as a butterfly. I was conscious that I was quite pleased with myself, but I did not know that I was Tzu. Suddenly I awoke, and there was I, visibly Tzu. I do not know whether it was Tzu dreaming that he was a butterfly or the butterfly dreaming that he was Tzu." 

Reflections on the meaning of time.
For westerners it is a clock on a wall so we can all sit down and stand up when told.  Or a scientific constant (?) based on the speed of light (?) But what does time mean? My subjective experience of life passing moment after moment? Do we all experience life that way because we have agreed to? What about a hermit in the mountains of china who is hundreds of years old? How do they experience time? I have no idea but I have an inkling it may be slightly different. If time is cyclical and there is no beginning and no end the only time that exists is right now? This shit is wierd....