That Burning Smell is Me Thinking…

According to a team of researchers at Oxford, led by Dr. David Deutsch, parallel universes are a mathematical possibility. Their findings show that the universe is actually a multiverse made up of expanding parallel universes. The existence of parallel universes leads to many questions like, what if we could travel to parallel universes and observe the differences? Have people from other parallel universes already visited us? Can we exploit parallel universes for our benefit?

One theory in quantum mechanics holds that particles on the subatomic scale do not settle into a state until they are observed or measured. Before the observation or measurement occurs, all possibilities of the outcome exist simultaneously. An analogy would be a perspective student receiving a letter from a university he applied to. Before the envelope is opened, and the letter is read by the student, there may exist three possibilities; one in which the student will be attending the university in the fall, another where he is working at Burger World, and another where he decides to backpack across Europe for a year. If he is accepted to the university and decides to attend, then the burger flipping and backpacking universes end.

The theory that Dr. Deutsch and his team proved mathematically is that when an event happens, the universe branches off into parallel versions of itself. His work is based on a theory put forward fifty years ago by a graduate student at Princeton named Hugh Everett. According to the branching theory, our perspective student reads the acceptance letter and the universe splits into many parallel universes, one in which the student decides to attend the university in the fall, another where he takes a year off and goes on his European adventure, and maybe another where he joins a hippy commune. These parallel universes continue on and keep expanding into more parallel universes as more events happen in his life.

Dr. Deutsch’s work raises many possibilities and, if we are able to someday find a way to reach these parallel worlds, we can better understand the consequences of world events. But would we really be able to learn from them, or would our presence in a parallel universe influence the outcome of events we are trying to observe? Science fiction fans are familiar with time travel in which the hero of a story travels back in time to observe, and possibly correct, something that went wrong in the past. During time travel, our hero may do something that seems innocent but sets off a catastrophic chain of events, like a butterfly flapping its wings in California causing a tornado in Kansas.

So what if, in the course of traveling in time, we could also travel to a parallel universe and stand over Lee Harvey Oswald’s shoulder as he pulled the trigger on that fateful day in November 1963? A time traveler from a parallel universe could push him right as he was taking his shot, causing him to miss, and then find out if a second gunman on the grassy knoll really was the one who made the kill shot. What if Oswald was the lone gunman and our traveler allowed Kennedy to get away that day? The world would be very different, at least in that version of the universe.

How do we know that there doesn’t already exist a secretive group of people who travel through space, time, and parallel universes gently influencing the course of human events? What if our version of reality is actually an experiment by this group to see how incredibly absurd humans can become? Extraterrestrial beings could actually be parallel travelers in disguise. The possible reason why the UFO crash that happened in Roswell, New Mexico many years ago has been kept so secret is that the beings, and their vehicle, are actually from a parallel version of earth where human evolution and technology took a different course. There are theories that the ancient Egyptians had help from extra terrestrials building the pyramids. Could the helpers actually have been a more advanced version of Egyptians from a parallel universe? Finding a portal to parallel universes could answer these mysteries.

There exists a physical law that states that no two objects can exist in the same place at the same time. Research into parallel universes could render that law completely false because if we would be able to have parallel universes within the same space, then we would be able to solve many problems in society like overpopulation. Imagine if we find a parallel version of Earth where the population of humans is significantly smaller. We could send people from our universe to colonize that universe and start large farms to feed our version of the universe. We could also set up a parallel version of Chicago and be able to have several apartment buildings on the same piece of real estate. One could theoretically reside in one universe and commute to work in another.

The proof of parallel universes by Oxford researchers opens up many possibilities. If we are able to expand upon their work, and someday find a way to other parallel universes and observe them, we can possibly find ways to improve ourselves and creatively solve many problems.

According to the Oxford American Dictionary, privacy is, “the state or condition of being free from being observed or disturbed by other people; the state of being free from public attention.” With cameras everywhere watching us, databases holding information about us proliferating, and governments listening to our telephone conversations and reading our email without our consent, we live in a time where there is no more privacy, according to the dictionary definition. Our every move can be observed and scrutinized by a group of mysterious watchers for many reasons. We have accepted more surveillance in order to feel safe and minimize property crime. Corporations keep track of our consumer behavior, at the expense of our privacy, so they can market their goods and services more effectively.

When people go to the grocery store, they are being watched from the moment they enter the parking lot until they leave. The cameras are there not only to prevent shoplifting, but to allow marketing people to observe customer’s movements so they can determine how to more effectively arrange the store in order to persuade the consumers to buy more stuff. If the consumer pays with a debit or credit card, the store can keep track of how often they visit, what they buy and whether or not they use the store’s discount card. The government can subpoena the store to find out if anyone is buying combinations of certain household items that can be used to make a bomb, or find out who bought a copy of a subversive magazine they planted on the rack.

Anyone’s movements can be tracked through security cameras, debit card transactions, mobile phone records, electronic toll tags, email logs, or plain old fashioned stalking. In the movie Enemy of the State, Richard Dean, played by Will Smith, is hunted by the NSA using sophisticated technology. It seems like a Hollywood fantasy, but those with access can abuse surveillance technology in the same way. If the government decides that you are their enemy, then they can freeze your assets, and find you very easily by pinging your cell phone.

The only way to achieve the state of complete privacy is to live in a remote location, severely limit contact with other humans, and not engage in activities that would attract too much attention. But humans are social animals by nature, so complete privacy is not possible if one decides to interact with others. As people engage more with society, they must sacrifice a little more privacy until the last area of complete personal privacy is ones own thoughts.

Everyone, from a hermit who lives in the woods to the President of the United States, has a private and a public life. The extent of a hermit’s public life may be rare glimpses as he is chopping firewood or shooting a squirrel for dinner. President Bush, on the other hand, seems to live under the watchful eye of anyone in the world who cares to observe. Most people would think that the hermit has more privacy than the president, but the hermit may have less due to the fact that he doesn’t have a team of people carefully crafting his public image and guarding his personal information. With a little persistence, one could gather enough personal information about the hermit to find out where he went to school, what his ex-wife’s name is, or how much much money he makes each year. A little more digging can reveal what movies he likes to watch and what magazines he reads. Meanwhile, our president has the capability to practically disappear, and re-emerge serving Thanksgiving dinner in Iraq, thanks to the diligent work of his staff and the Secret Service to keep his movements secret.

Whatever is written down, entered into a computer or spoken is no longer private. As long as there is ubiquitous surveillance technology and invasive law enforcement, there will be no privacy. As long as people are suspicious of one another and live in fear, privacy will continue to erode until we are all forced to live completely transparent lives. The only way to take back our freedom is to turn the cameras around and watch the watchers.

I have been trying to write a book review for my history class. I was distracted all day and I decided to go to the 24 hour Starbucks in order to minimize the distractions. As I settled into my work, I started feeling queasy. I barely got two paragraphs typed when I felt a dreadful stirring in my gut and a cold sweat developing on my forehead. That could mean only one thing; pack up my stuff and get to the restroom, NOW! I was lucky there was an open restroom, the place was packed. I was barely able to get the door locked when I erupted in the most spectacular Technicolor yawn, I didn’t even have time to put down my backpack! I couldn’t believe my aim was so good, and thank God the seat was already up!

It just kept coming. I was seeing everything I ate that evening, and I was in total disbelief of my condition. I am so glad I had the presence of mind to get to the bathroom when I did. I must have looked like a mad man packing up my stuff in a panic and rushing off to the restroom. In my rush to get to the toilet I dropped my coffee, that I took barely three sips from, in the trash.

I finally regained my composure and went to the register and bought one of their overpriced tins of gum to combat the wretched taste in my mouth. I popped two pieces in my mouth and left quickly. As I was walking down the sidewalk, I first felt like I wasted my time coming all the way down here only to get sick. I started to feel better and decided to duck inside a diner instead of getting on the bus that just pulled up, that’s where I am typing this. After an English muffin and a diet Coke, I feel better. I got another paragraph written and now have a direction for my paper, so the trip was not completely wasted.

I keep gravitating to math. I thought I was going to hate it, but I think the immediate gratification and certainty of it keeps drawing me back.

I came to a coffee shop to study for a Geography exam. The exam involves a lot of rote memorization, which I can be good at, but as I was studying, my mind started getting tired. I took a break and decided to do a little math. My math class involves a lot of online stuff, so I was able to log on and start. I found a certain refuge in it. I like the feedback the program gives me. I keep wanting to continue because I immediately see a progression.

I used to hate math, but now it is becoming my favorite subject. I am actually two weeks ahead and I think I am one of the best students in the class. My achievement makes me want to go further and try to get further ahead.

Math is becoming a favorite homework break.

Not too much has been going on except classes and studying. I am still settling into the new life.

This weekend I have been struggling with writing a paper on Thomas Jefferson. I finally got an outline and a few paragraphs written. I ended up watching a Ken Burns documentary about Jefferson and the writers block was still there. But after my total Thomas Jefferson immersion and several long walks, I finally have a direction for the paper.

All this for a lousy 2 page paper. I guess the writing process will get faster with time.

I finished my first week of class and it is everything I thought it would be. I am really enjoying school, I fell like I am doing something I should have done a long time ago. I am glad that I really have no other life commitments holding me back. I am able to go full time and completely concentrate on my studies.

It looks like my days as a bike mechanic are over because I injured my right hand. It may be carpal tunnel, arthritis, or tendinitis; I don’t really know, it just hurts and I am adjusting to doing fewer things with my right hand. I have to hold drinks in my left hand now because I will randomly drop things. I also switched the brake levers on my bike, so the left lever is the rear and the right is the front. If it wasn’t for ibuprofen, I would be really unhappy!

I am slowly organizing my room. Since the move, things have been shoved under the dresser and couch and randomly piled into my drawers. It got really bad this week, so I vowed to get organized this weekend. So far it is taking shape, I found a metal box to keep important stuff in and I am getting some shelves put up on the wall.

So, yeah, life sounds boring, but I am really enjoying it. Things are quieter and more orderly, the way I like them.

I got a new bike. It is brand new, not just new to me. It is the first aluminum bike I have owned. I wanted a bike that will do most anything, from commuting to touring to fast weekend ride to puttering around.

I got a Specialized Sirrus. Mine is gray and black. I like the look of the bike having all primary colors, it is not too flashy and less of a target for thieves. I decided to get a Specialized because they are building them better than anyone else for the equivalent money. In my experience maintaining a bike rental fleet this summer, the Specialized bikes held up the best.

I have been working 4 days a week, 10 hours a day. I have also been taking a 6 week course at Truman College on my days off. My final grades will be posted Monday, I think, but I know I got an A, so far.

I feel an amazing sense of accomplishment. I really enjoy school and it is giving me a chance to exercise my brain and really work on my writing.

Before I decided to go back to school, I had a dream one night that I was wondering around in a dark neighborhood and I came upon a college. One of the students let me borrow his student ID so I could study in the library. I remember feeling so comfortable with my laptop and a pile of books open on a table in the school library. I woke up and realized that I should consider going back to school.

So my plans to go to Romania didn’t work out. I now see in hindsight that that was a good thing. The people who I would have been working for are going through rough times right now, and the ministry I would have been at now has an uncertain future. I am so glad God has everything under control. If I would have forced it to happen, I probably would have been stuck in an awkward situation.

When I decided to go to school, I wanted to go to Texas. That didn’t work out either. When I decided to stay in Chicago and enroll at Truman, the doors of opportunity flew open. I found a job and I was able enrolled in a class the school was offering for free. I have all my tuition and books paid for next year, and I am moving into a great apartment with some cool people next week.

I knew I had to leave JPUSA. I know my time there was at a close. I had a growing feeling of dissatisfaction with what I was doing there and I couldn’t alleviate the heavy feeling I had; it felt like I had a pressure on my heart all the time. I know now that was just stress from the anxiety I had about going out into an uncertain future.

My faith in Divine Providence has been strengthened. I am more sure of the direction I need to go. The future is still a murky fog, but I know I am exactly where I need to be.

Last night after class I went downtown to attend an employee meeting for work. Afterwards, I walked around downtown. Here are some shots from the Wilson El Platform and the Chicago River.