In the beginning, there was nothing. No matter, no energy, no space. Just an infinite expanse of possibility. And then, in a burst of creative potential, the universe emerged. The cosmic dance began, with particles and waves swirling together to form the first hints of structure.
We don’t know how or why, really; lots of people claim this knowledge, but faith is still blind and science is more about probability than certainty, for all that humans regularly confuse the ‘effective certainty’ of an exponential probability and treat them the same.
As the universe evolved, so did its complexity. Matter coalesced into galaxies, stars, and planets. On one small planet called Earth, life burst forth from the primordial ooze. Simple organisms gave rise to more complex forms, until eventually, humans came into being.
But here’s the thing: human experience is just a tiny part of the vast tapestry of existence. The universe didn’t stop evolving once life appeared on Earth. The cosmic dance continued, with particles and waves interacting across all scales, from the smallest subatomic interactions to the grandest galactic collisions.
In this sense, our experience of reality – what we call “life” – this is just a slice of the overall cake. It’s like trying to understand a symphony by listening only to one instrument at a time. The universe is an emergent state, arising from the interactions and relationships between all its parts.
The connections I’ve outlined earlier are like threads in a cosmic tapestry. They weave together to form a narrative that transcends individual disciplines. From cosmology to astrobiology, organic chemistry to biochemistry, each thread builds upon the previous one, creating a system of distributed causality that underlies all experience.
The thing that I find beautiful? If you chain together today’s sciences, you wind up with full circle/cycle from cosmology through humanity and back to cosmology again… a literal connection from Universal Reality to you, as you sit here, reading, and alllllllll the way back out into its enigmatic being.
Here, I’ll show you:
Cosmology: The study of the universe’s origin, evolution, and fate reveals the cosmic dance at play. Particle interactions shape galaxies, stars, and planets, setting the stage for life to emerge.
Astrobiology: As we explore the origins of life on Earth, we find that the building blocks of life – carbon, oxygen, and water – are found throughout the universe. The search for extraterrestrial life becomes a quest to understand the interconnection of planetary systems and the emergence of life.
Organic Chemistry: The study of carbon-containing compounds reveals the intricate dance of chemical reactions that shape biomolecules. This understanding highlights the complex web of interactions between molecules, cells, and organisms.
Biochemistry: As we delve into the molecular machinery of life, we discover that biological processes are governed by the same fundamental laws as physical phenomena. Enzymes catalyze chemical reactions, DNA encodes genetic information, and proteins fold into specific structures – all demonstrating the interconnections of biological systems.
Cell Biology: The study of cells, the basic units of life, reveals their intricate organization and interactions. Cells respond to environmental stimuli, communicate through signaling pathways, and differentiate into diverse tissues – illustrating the complex web of connections between individual cells.
Genetics: As we explore the molecular basis of heredity, variation, and evolution, we find that genetic information is stored in DNA, transmitted through cells, and expressed as traits. This understanding highlights the intricate dance of gene regulation, mutation, and selection shaping the evolution of life.
Evolutionary Biology: By studying the processes that have shaped the diversity of life on Earth over time, we gain insight into the interconnection of species, ecosystems, and environments. Evolution reveals the dynamic interplay between organisms, their habitats, and the forces that shape them.
Ecology: As we examine the relationships between living organisms and their environment, we discover the intricate web of connections within ecosystems. Species interact, populations fluctuate, and communities adapt – illustrating the dynamic balance of nature.
Geography: The study of Earth’s physical features, including climate, vegetation, and land-forms, reveals the interconnection of geographical processes shaping our planet. Weather patterns influence landscapes, which in turn affect local climates – demonstrating the complex interplay between atmospheric, terrestrial, and aquatic systems.
Atmospheric Science: As we explore the atmosphere, we find that it is an integral part of Earth’s system, interacting with oceans, land, and life to shape climate, weather, and air quality. The study of atmospheric phenomena illustrates the interconnection of the planet’s spheres.
Climate Science: By studying the complex interactions between the atmosphere, oceans, and land, we gain insight into the workings of the global climate system. Climate patterns influence ecosystems, species adapt, and human societies respond – illustrating the intricate web of connections within the Earth’s systems.
And finally, Cosmology again: As we gaze up at the stars, we realize that our understanding of the universe is not a static concept, but rather an evolving tapestry woven from threads of connection between seemingly disparate sciences.
This is the totality: the Universal Reality. It’s not just a collection of separate phenomena, but an interconnected web that arises from the interactions between all its parts. And our experience of reality – what we call “life” – is just one emergent state within this vast tapestry.
In this sense, the universe is like a vast, cosmic symphony. Every note, every beat, and every harmony resonates across scales, influencing and being influenced by all other notes in the grand orchestra of existence.
So, when we gaze up at the stars or contemplate the mysteries of the human experience, let’s not forget that our reality is just one slice of a much larger pie. The universe is an emergent state, arising from the interactions between all its parts – including us.
Universal Reality is this emergent state arising from the interactions and relationships of all these infinite parts, among which, you, me, and us… all things that live, eat, breathe, and eventually, return to the infinite once more.
It is the hidden-yet-sometimes-observable universe; a paradoxically closed-yet-infinitely-opening system whose start we guess at, whose purpose will ever be occluded from us, while at the same time, we exist and experience entire lives; a flicker of energy, passing, our quintessentially interconnected being, here and how, between these proverbial heavens and the scent of our incensed brains.
My favorite old symbol and mythos remains the Ouroboros for the way it points to both the Law of Thermodynamics and the Law of Entropy. The overt, winking hint of that paradoxical herald, requisite of any glimpse of “Manifest Truth”.
I mean, really, think about it; why would it ever be other than paradox, given what we now know of quantum information theory?
Anyway… Saturday morning thoughts. Hope your Saturday goes well or, if not, that it improves soon.
Thanks for reading.