In “Our Universe May Be a Giant Hologram”, Brian Greene brings up the argument that our universe is just a reflection of another universe. He gives the example of the mirrors reflecting one another and how there are looks to be like an endless line of reflections. This concept does effect my sense of reality because what was once real to me is now just a reflection, a fake. The idea is really confusing because like the mirror example there is an origin of the reflected images, so who is to say that we are not that origin. That if there are other universes then they are reflecting us, not the other way around. I would say that this would change our perception because our reality is no longer a reality. Everything we do is meaningless in a way. However it could also change our perception for the good, thinking more optimistically even though its not THE reality it is OUR reality so it is real to us reflection or not.
In “The Serpents Paradise”, Edward Abbey writes about a Park ranger that seems to be fascinated by the environment and the creatures living in it as well as enjoying it. The Park ranger feels somewhat connected and isolated from the animals. Connected to them in a way that he refers to the gopher snake as visitors, cousins, etc. when he says, “My visitor is still waiting beneath the doorstep, basking in the sun…”. Terms that refer to things such as friends and family rather than an enemy. He is isolated from them because he can’t see to understand the way they think, like their way of thinking is more complex as he states, “that many of the nonhuman undomesticated animals experience emotions unknown to us.” I have not personally experience what the Park Ranger has but if I were to, I believe that it would be beneficial for me because I would have the opportunity to be one with nature and appreciate all the things around me. I would consider Abbey to be comfortable with the unknown because he doesn't try to force his way into understanding, but instead he states, “we are obliged, therefore, to spread the news, painful and bitter though it may be for some to hear, all living things on hand are kindred…”.
There is bewilderment in both texts. “Our Universe May Be a Giant Hologram”, it is bewildering to hear the concept of there being a multiverse and that our universe is just a reflection of another. Just the idea of it makes it sound like a dream, like nothing around us is real and it is all a fake. Bewilderment is expressed in “Serpents of Paradise” because of the mysteries the Park Rangers is unable to discover. Being comfortable with nature and the animals doesn't give him all the answers to their behavior. Like why the coyote howls to the moon at night. These ideas relate to me because I am apart of this universe and knowing that it could be a reflection is an overwhelming idea to think about and really gets me thinking about the universe, world and the animals that live in it.
In his essay, “Our Universe May Be a Giant Hologram”, Brian Greene claims that our reality may be a mere reflection of a distant, more authentic reality. He states, “If this line of reasoning is correct, then there are physical processes taking place on some distant surface that, much as puppeteer pulls strings, are fully linked to the processes taking place in my fingers, arms, and brain as I type these words at my desk.” I think that if we believed in Greene’s theory, we’d be much more carefree. We would believe that everything we do is controlled by another universe; so there would be no need to take responsibility of our actions or worry about how our decisions will affect our future. Knowing that no matter what we do, we cannot change our destiny can also create a sense of hopelessness. There are plenty of us out there who would much rather have complete control over our lives than to let an outside force dictate our futures.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your analysis of Edward Abbey’s relationship with nature. The love and passion he has for nature makes him feel so connected with the animals that he states, “I prefer not to kill animals. I’m a humanist; I’d rather kill a man than a snake.” His inability to understand the animals’ emotions and intentions creates isolation between them as well. For example, after his encounter with the gopher snakes, Abbey asks himself, “Precisely what did those two enraptured gopher snakes have in mind when they came gliding toward my eyes…” I think that this isolation leads to Abbey’s bewilderment: his acceptance of nature’s mysteries. His acceptance becomes evident when he prevents his curiosity from forcing him to follow the snakes to their destination; he was perfectly fine with allowing their destination to be uncertain. I also agree with you on how the concept of a multiverse is a bit bewildering. The sheer thought of multiple universes existing seems mysterious and unreal.