Today I must start with the not-so-great news that my COVID infection remains. The great news is that I have no symptoms. It is difficult to accept feeling 100% when a test strip says otherwise. Well, I cannot change reality, so time to think about other things.
Those who have read any of my stories know I like to bend the lines between what we know or believe, and the endless possibilities of other truths. Calling my stories fantasies is the perfect alibi. I mentioned the hyena incident yesterday. To most, I suspect that seems unbelievable in today’s modern world. Believe me, it seemed unreal to the 17 year-old Karl who stood outside that gate screaming. Gratefully, that was the only such incident I can recall.
Oddly enough, my desire to see alternative truths or realities comes from my lifelong love for astronomy. In my freshman year at the University of Iowa, I took an astronomy class from Dr. James Van Allen. Science nerds like me know he discovered and mapped the Van Allen Radiation Belts around our world. Those magnetic fields protect our fragile planet from excessive solar radiation. Without those radiation belts, our Earth would look more like Mars. Solar flares and wind can destroy the atmosphere of a planet. The Van Allen Belts deflect them. Hence, we are all still here. Yay!
Over time, I was fascinated by the discoveries of Black Holes, quasars, rogue planets, and all sorts of new objects that litter the heavens. Then, I started to learn about quantum mechanics. If you every read about that field, you will find it turns Newtonian Physics on its ears. Yet, if not for quantum theory, our electronics and phones would not exist. My mind was officially blown. Quantum theory also disproves the old song lyric:
“How Can You Be in Two Places At Once, When You’re Not Anywhere at All.”
Remember, this is all science, not some voodoo that crazies like me made up. I say, “Bring it on!” Currently, I also follow the James Web Space Telescope online. The new things we learn everyday continue to boggle the mind. The one thing scientists seem to agree on is that space is inconceivably huge. Trillions of light-years across with too many galaxies to bother trying to count.
In all that vast emptiness, there is plenty of space for new and even radical ideas. More than enough room for my fantasy novels. Who knows? Someday, they may be proven to be factual. I hope you love science as much as I do. Regardless of what others say, science does not replace God. Keep the faith, and learn more about that modern miracles of cosmology and physics. Enjoy your day.
Hi, Karl! Thanks for the science lesson. By the way, I hated science (just as I hated any kind of math). I think it’s true that if you’re a reader, you hate math and science, but if you’re into science and math, not only are you a genius in my book, but you’re not that much into reading. I know, that’s not the case ALL the time, but I have a science and math wiz that I gave birth to, and for the life of me, I don’t understand how she doesn’t like to read… recreationally. This kid graduated in the top 1% of her high school graduating class (#6 out of 975 kids), remained on the President’s List all during college, Honors student, graduated from college summa cum laude, but doesn’t like to read recreationally. Reading for her studies and classes, she does just fine, but extra reading, “No way, Judy!” She’s getting her Masters Degree in a few months and says to me the other day, “I was thinking about going for my doctorate degree… but then I thought, nawwwww, I’m over school for the time being!”
I said all that to say that I am highly impressed that you love science, and you’re an author, who quite obviously loves to read. I wish my little science and math wiz had that in her 🙁
Thanks for sharing, Karl! I didn’t know that you had a special relationship with the stars 🙂
P.S. I hope on this journey you will be introducing us to your little pup!
Thanks for the comments, Nonnie. I’ve loved science since I was quite young, although I never had the ambition to be a scientist. Whenever I see something new being discovered or invented, I just say WOW! Not surprisingly, many scientific principles find their way into my stories.
Hi Karl. There will always be a conversation when discussing science and God. Your imagination knows no bounds. You are a very complex individual, but in a good way. Thank goodness, Covid is not controlling you.
Have a great day!
That’s very kind, Shirley. I guess it’s easy to understand where some of my wild concepts come from. When you mix faith and science, amazing ideas emerge.
Nice science lesson. I’ve always love science, and in my teen years, I was obsessed with Isaac Asimov. At NYU, I took the course, Physics for Dummies. I think it was called that or something similar. I played with the space-time continuum in one of my books. It was confusing and loads of fun. Keep writing and ignore the Covid after effects. That’s what I’m trying to do.
Susanne, Asimov was my favorite author too. While I did take the course in astronomy, that was where my official education ended. Since then, I’ve been reading science books written for regular people. Stephen Hawking and Brian Green have written books that we all can understand. Our universe is so big and amazing. And still, so much is not understood. Thank you for stopping by.
Hi Karl. Doctor informed us that a positive test result will occur up to 8 weeks after first testing positive. Additionally, we are not to get a booster shot for up to six months after testing positive as antibodies are still within.
John, I just want it to be over. I realize that things take time, but I’m not happy being quarantined. Thank you for the update.
I love the moon and the stars, especially certain constellations, but that’s as far as I go into scientific knowledge. I, too, find it fascinating, but my brain just doesn’t seem to have enough space to hold what I learn or to make sense of it all. So, I allow myself to wonder in those moments when I learn something (like now) and then move on. Thanks for sharing how our planet doesn’t combust. That’s very cool! 🙂
Thank you for your thoughts, Yvette. This universe of ours is amazing and too big to be understood. It’s almost like someone doesn’t want us to figure it out. I view that as job security for scientists and writers. All the best.
Hi Karl–At my (ahem) advanced age, I wish I had paid more attention in science class. When I worked for some Nobel Prize-level scientists at MIT, we secretaries banded together and asked them to do brown-bag lunch sessions to explain some of the work they were doing on a “regular person” basis. It was fascinating. One of the guys I worked for was doing basic research on DNA, and he explained the whole DNA/RNA connection to us. (His daughter was one of the producers of the PBS series on the Holocaust that was on a couple of months ago.) The other professors discussed things ranging from ways in which viruses mutate to finding ways to modify genes. I don’t remember much now, but it was fascinating back then. Science is all around us! Hope you’re doing better soon!
You’re very lucky to have worked with scientists on the cutting edge. The complexity of each creature and object is stunning. There must be someone behind the scenes making certain it all works. Thank you for visiting, Wanda.
Hi, Karl! Proverbs 25:2: “God delights in concealing things; scientists delight in discovering things.” (the Message) I wonder if God laughs when people claim science replaces Him. Quantum physics may have the closest explanation of Creation we have access to. I find it all fascinating too. In my current WIP, I asked my astrophysics student grandson how an internal power source would work in a hollow planet. How would the inside world get day and night? Perhaps he wasn’t far enough along in his studies, or he thought I was a tad insane (most likely), but I asked God about it and dreamt the answer! I do believe He loves inquiring minds.
Patty, it’s good to throw questions at scientists or aspiring scientists. After all, that is what science is. Someone asks a question and then someone else formulates a theory. Then it’s time for more questions. Wishing you all the best.
Hi, Karl,
I know about Quantum Theory, and even have one or two books about it. I’m always amazed when scientist who are Christians start talking about the vastness of the universe, and especially when they challenge a proven theory that we have believed all our lives. It is kind of like when Galileo said that the earth wasn’t the centre of the universe and was persecuted because of his belief.
As far as your books go, I don’t consider them fantasy, I consider them as science fiction. You explore possibilities that could be. At least, that is the feeling when I got when I read your first book in your series. Since then, I have bought two more and I enjoyed the story greatly.
All the best.
Shalom aleichem
That’s very kind, Pat. I’m happy that you’re a science fan like me. When I ponder the universe, my first question is “Why is it all here?” Some will say it’s random and the universe came from nothing. That’s too much of a stretch for me. I’m glad you enjoyed my book.
Karl, I now see where you get your inspiration! I’m fascinated by astronomy and would love to take a class. How wonderful that you got to take one with such an accomplished scientist! I am an addict of all those “Universe” TV shows, but wish they wouldn’t keep repeating the same ones, I’m always out there searching for ones I haven’t seen yet. The Webb telescope pictures are just staggering. I do hope you continue to improve from Covid, hang in there!
I like learning new things, Karl. This post has been very informative and you’ve introduced me to a couple of things I’d like to explore. One is the James Web Space Telescope which I will enjoy investigating once this challenge is over. The other is the Van Allen Radiation Belts and how they protect us from excessive solar radiation. Very interesting post.
Linda, I’m glad you’re interested in the space telescope. its resolution is so much better than Hubble. Science is awesome, but sometimes their FB page drifts into anti-religious views, which I find to be a waste of time. Believe what you want, but don’t try to prove you’re right. That’s my take on it.
It is great to know another dog lover. The funny thing about dogs is that if you’re gone all day, or even just went to get the mail, the time for them is the same. They are as happy to see you after two minutes as after eight hours. They are the most compassionate and caring creatures on God’s Earth.
Hi Karl, it’s Donna Atwood again. I too marvel at the discoveries of science and technology. My ex and I had a couple of nanotechnology start-ups and as such I find MEMS, quantum mechanics, etc. to be utterly fascinating. Space is another interesting topic – what an astronomy class that must have been in college! Professor Van Allen? I’m turning green with envy! Have a great day, and keep the faith…that covid bug won’t hang around forever : )
Thank you, Donna. I’m glad to know another science geek. I love the James Web Space Telescope because its resolution is so much better than Hubble. Who knows what they’ll discover next? By the way, my doctor prescribed a Z-Pack for me. After the first daily dose, I feel much better already. All the best.