We live in different universes though we may be in the same room talking. On the same planet. In the same state, town, zip-code and even in the same room. Our realities are entirely different even if we share many similar characteristics and experiences. Our world views could not be farther apart even though I can reach out to you and take your hand and call you friend. Is one view better than the other? It is not for me to say. I saw and was a part of your universe in my younger days and was proud of it. Now, I can only say that those experiences brought me to where I am now. What are these universes? I will attempt to explore them in this missive. I fear this may be a bit long and rambling so please hear me out.
I read in the news today that the JWST (James Webb Space Telescope) has made some discoveries that current thinking can not account for. It has to do with the mass and form of galaxies in the very early universe. However, the exact nature of the discrepancy is irrelevant to my sojourn. For the rest of this paper, I shall refer to the discrepancy as simply TE (Too Early). I will endeavor to place the mere fact of TE’s existence into the context of competing universes. I will try to remain non-judgmental. Note: I use the word “judgmental” intentionally since I do not want to confuse critical as in judgmental with critical as in critical-thinking. The challenge, of course, is that I do believe one view superior to another. In that minefield I will tread cautiously while remembering the myriad In-Betweens and infinite Shades-Of-Grey. Let us have at it then.
In my universe, TE’s are a source of excitement and inspiration. It looks you straight in the eye and says “There is no dogma here!” This kind of discrepancy only servers to broaden horizons and demand new schools of thought. In science, once comes up with an idea, a concept or in colloquial terms, a theory. The single characteristic of a functional theory is the ability to predict future outcomes or observations. This latest observation has in effect, caused a Disturbance in the Force. Does that make all of humankind’s work worthless? Futile? To answer that question, we must presage back to a much earlier day to look at the work of Sir Isaac Newton. His theories and formulae took us to the moon. Then they found this funny quirk in the planet Mercury’s orbit that just did not fit the his work. It was not until Albert Einstein refined his work and created the General Theory of Relativity. Was Sir Isaac Newton wrong? Well… Very ardently Yes. Also, just as ardently No. This discrepancy inspired and challenged the existing paradigm. Though few harsh words flew at the time, excitement consumed the new field. This is my universe.
Meanwhile in the another universe, a man named Martin Luther reinterpreted a piece of literature. It was a discrepancy of a very similar nature. It challenged the current dogma of the era. I shown a new light on what everyone knew to be true. This is where the differences in our universes come in. It was the start of centuries of a bitter, bloody contest as to the accuracy of his interpretation. Both sides had the same work as the foundation of knowledge. Both sides were able to interpret it as they saw fit. Both sides were able to pick and choose any tidbit of script as Proof-Positive. However, in the end, one can not prove something unless they are able to predict something from it. From it, one can not make observations or predictions. Perhaps if they could, they may have predicted the many years of bloody inquisition that would arise from it. In short, one can not prove anything about it. Everything is taken as a matter of faith. A very significant portion of our history is based on the simple “Accept my dogma or die.” This is how I see your universe.
My universe has questions that I can not answer. It is not a weakness to say “I do not know.” It is a weakness to say “I do not want to find out.” In my universe, we have only the fewest, smallest snippets of answers. We do not even know what we do not know. We do not even have enough knowledge to speculate on much of what we see. I think this is the proposition that many on the other universe find disquieting, scary or perhaps even terrifying. We, in this universe, find it exciting and inspiring. We may even feel what others might call a religious epiphany. To study, learn, theorize, test, fail, fail again, fail again, fail again until perhaps at length a mere glimmer of a possibility of an answer.
To be continued.
