My Theory of Everything

My Theory of Everything


So there we were that night, gravity rooting us to burgundy, pleather booths and scattered chairs, to inside a lit building entrenched in spilt, cemented connection to midwestern roads and a county, city, country, continent. We had stopped at the Chinese eatery to be among the dinner crowds, some of us miles and oceans from home – all of us parked in a singularly American space/time moment.

For the three of us surrounding the dimensions of a wonton-and-rice-laden table, the discussion had begun with the differences between women and men, of their love/hate relationships to shopping – of men wanting to fix/resolve problems and women simply needing to discuss them.

It was then a friend – an Israeli-born, mathematically-minded chef/engineer-scholar – noticed what I had doodled throughout the evening, the images that had emerged on what had been blank scraps of what was likely cash register paper. Complimenting my work, and learning I had little interest in mathematics despite doing relatively well academically in the subject (which included a mystifying A in trigonometry), he abruptly broke out into a new thought.

I should study and pursue a future in physics, he suddenly and sincerely urged, explaining that here was a science I would undoubtedly master. Half-joking, he then added that he would like a percentage of whatever I might discover/invent/create.

“Equations,” he said in English, with only a trace of an accent. “Everything in life is an equation.” (As a professional writer, I’m obligated to say here that this actually is not an exact quote – but I believe I captured his intent.)

It is the very flattering, interesting, and (I believe) well-intended idea of my studying physics I now address.

Since the proposal emerged (was it a week ago? Two weeks?) I have thought a good deal about life as a series of equations, of math, measurements and the significance of numbers and their weight in what we do and say – in their factoring into the actions and energies we contribute and take from the world.

I have done some research into M theory, the string theory* the latest scientific notions of there being in existence 10? 11? dimensions and numerous parallel universes. But, however fascinating the ideas (especially that of Einstein’s Theory of Everything – a riddle he strived to solve but ultimately did not, and which today is trying to be resolved by string theorists), History? Limitations on the intelligence of humans? tells me there will always be questions that cannot truly be answered; problems that have no satisfactory solutions. Or perhaps it is that we simply do not know the right questions to ask.

Regardless, my recent study into physics has been done as a researcher and student and not for what I believe could be concrete contributions to the science. And so, at the risk of disappointing a friend, I have decided to return to my writing and artistic endeavors – to continue to be an observer and storyteller rather than a scientist.

I reason maybe, just maybe – we can also grow closer to uncovering and understanding truths simply by sharing their reflection – or through the telling of a tale.


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*“From one principle — that everything at its most microscopic level consists of combinations of vibrating strands — string theory provides a single explanatory framework capable of encompassing all forces and all matter ….” -- from the article A Theory of Everything? Some physicists believe string theory may unify the forces of nature by Brian Greene.

For a good background and explanation of “The Theory of Everything” and the string theory I recommend: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/elegant/everything.html and http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/elegant/