Hello from MT

Hi. Saw the handle "aristoddler" when first entered forum, and had a good chuckle. Read a few posts to get a sense for the "feeling" of the discussions here. Perhaps the best introduction I can muster involves posting a kind of weird "synopsis" for a book I've "co-authored." Uncertain what heading this might best "fit" under, though perhaps the moderators could help decide and "move it" there. Hoping this finds y'all well.

DMB
[INDENT]Book asks a potentially pertinent question with regard to Science/Spirit discussion: if space-time appears curved, then what does it 'curve around' or enclose?[/INDENT][INDENT]Within the pages of A Dog Ear'd Cosmos - a quasi-platonic dialogue recently released by Lulu Independent Press - an imagined discussion with a lost canine companion unfolds. Amidst other reflections, the discussion posits connections between Zero-point Energy, "Dark Matter," and a concept developed by Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, and Georg Groddeck before them: the "Collective Unconscious." - [But wait, don't roll your eyes just yet... there's more! ] [/INDENT][INDENT]In the corridors of Academia, quantum-particle interactions have been thought, since Richard Fenyman's work, to somehow be "a-causal" - as the Fenyman diagrams describing them appear to hold validity regardless of a diagrams' "orientation" with respect to space-time coordinates. Likening these interactions to undulations in the surface of an ocean of repressed awareness, "Dog Ear'd Cosmos" asks: if space-time appears curved, what could it possibly 'curve around,' or enclose? [/INDENT][INDENT]Does the "Dark Matter" recently postulated by physicists correlate with "what lies beneath" the perceived surface of our Universe? If yes, then we humans might consider ourselves somewhat as 'flatlanders,' compulsively looking to find and exploit apparent causal relationships within the epiphenomenal "surface-currents" that ride atop an ocean of repressed awareness. With these ideas in mind, then, "whatever may lie beneath" might appropriately be termed a "Collective Unconscious." [/INDENT][INDENT]What with human consciousness typically constrained to the "turbulent surface" of this Cosmos, no wonder we humans often feel cramped for psychic space and wind up embroiled in battles over personal territory, both physical and psychic. Modeling our experiences as being like swirling iridescent patterns in the surface of a "Cosmic soap-bubble," the dialogue probes the logical extensions of such ideas, with the world-views of advanced physics and cosmology melding (with slight alterations) into insights from psychoanalytical explorations like a well crafted dove-tail joint. [/INDENT][INDENT]Within this nascent model, the undulations of a sub-phenomenal ocean of repressed - yet still living - awareness appear in our consciousness as platonic "shadow-plays" (whose cast of characters include quantum-particle interactions, macro-scale objects and perhaps even feelings and thoughts). Perhaps not too surprisingly, such a model has been inspired by attempts to reconcile the authors' explorations in the physical sciences and mathematics with teachings of mystical traditions, East and West. [/INDENT][INDENT]In process of dialogue, the participants compare both space-time and "what-lies beneath" to a "spiritual cramp" in the Mind of God. Highly-platonic in orientation, the discussion presents a Zero-point Energy related rationale for the differentiation of objects and experience in our Universe, a differentiation that has puzzled physicists and cosmologists... One dialog participant effectively asks: How could differentiated structures have emerged in a Universe operating under consistent physical laws, from the seed of a symmetrical "Singularity Explosion" like the Big Bang? What could account for the breaking of symmetry? [/INDENT][INDENT]Proposed Answer: A Zero-point related "disappearance" (or re-absorption) of subtle forms of energy, facilitated - of all things, by the authentic forgiveness lessons learned by consciousness itself. Apparently, the discussion participants have willingness to question the Laws of Thermodynamics and Conservation of Energy on behalf of Life, picking up a thread started by physicist David Bohm's explorations of "the implicate order." [/INDENT][INDENT]Strangely, the Christian concept of forgiveness appears in revamped form such as to re-emphasize a growing sense of gratitude, responsibility for experience, as well as a playful (though measured) sense of humor. Highly speculative, this work does not appear in science's genre proper and might be rejected out of hand by the scientific community at large... nevertheless the book does a fairly good job of asking questions geared toward re-contextualizing current discussion within the Scientific Academy, and does so in a fairly accessible and unpretentious manner. [/INDENT][INDENT]The authors' investigations of these ideas began while pondering the Free-Energy discussion happening on the Internet. Here he comments on Zero-point Energy research as perhaps being a key that may draw these ideas out from the realm of "fringe hypotheses"... [/INDENT][INDENT][INDENT]Speaking in general terms... available energy for our economic energy needs seems able to "come from" the Zero-point in a couple-few ways. Using the Zero-point as a direct-energy source, we extract what available energy we need for a particular endeavor, and, in process, this highly-ordered energy eventually degrades in terms of entropic orderliness and usability... until finally it becomes ambient heat from which no more available energy may (according to thermodynamic convention) be extracted. With each process undertaken using direct Zero-point energy as outlined, the average temperature of the environment increases.[/INDENT][INDENT]In light of our potential global warming situation, perhaps humanity may benefit if, when the time appears ripe, the scientific community investigated the possibility of using the Zero-point as a near-infinite capacity "heat-sink" as well as a direct-energy source. Using the basic principles of heat engines, if a "heat-sink" capable of absorbing ambient thermal energy into the Zero-point could be developed, humanity could actually transform the ambient heat of the globe and the universe at large into usable energy. This ambient heat, according to standard thermodynamic wisdom, has no potential for generating power... and, under conditions of Global Warming, might actually be considered a form of pollution. [/INDENT][INDENT]Although the immense inertia of society may be geared toward amassing physical wealth and temporal power, perhaps the scientific community may overcome its own inertia such that the potentially disruptive power of the Zero-point could appear harnessed in a way that seems both physically and economically safe, and that also points toward the spiritual wisdom of restraint - even though our capacity for energy generation may soon "know no foreseeable limits." [/INDENT][INDENT]With the idea that attachment on the level of form seldom holds any real answers... hope I can be satisfied with a fuzzy openness to whatever may unfold in this regard... do, however, have an agenda as yet, though the agenda seems 'kinda disjointed from here. Ideas have been simmering about zero-point "sinkholes" for a while, and in pondering them "aloud"... guess I can't help but "wax spiritual" on y'all. Though before that happens full-throttle, back to more boring "pseudo-science..." [/INDENT][INDENT]Superconductors as Zero-Point Entropy "Sinkholes" [/INDENT][INDENT]Super-conductive materials appear said to "reject all incident DC-magnetic fields," with alternating (AC) magnetic fields being rejected (or reflected) to a degree inversely-proportional with the frequency of the incident radiation - provided that the incident fields do not appear so large as to "swamp" the superconductivity of the material itself. With a superconductor exposed to "randomized" electromagnetic radiation, the surface currents induced one moment seem very likely to find themselves partially "canceled-out" by incoming randomized radiation at a later moment in time. Hence, superconductors may exhibit a limited potential to "sink" or cancel-out vast amounts of such "randomized" electromagnetic energy, provided, again, that their superconductivity does not find itself swamped by excessively large impinging electromagnetic energy flows (or the magnetic fields and induced surface currents associated with them). [/INDENT][INDENT]Radiative thermal energy seems to have just such a "randomized" character, so provided a superconductor has appropriate thermal insulation from the potential for un-intended swamping by the heat of its surround, this latent "heat sinking" capacity might appear manifest, with potential applications in science and industry - specifically with regard to cryogenic cooling, refrigeration and air conditioning... as well as large and small-scale electricity generation via utilization of thermally insulated superconductors as Zero-point "heat sinks" capable of standing in place of the traditional "cold reservoir" in any number of thermodynamic heat-engine types, and thereby transforming the ambient heat (thermodynamic pollution) of the surround into a resource capable of powering an entire economy, without the necessity of heating up the planet. [/INDENT][INDENT]This analysis does appear as an over-simplification of what may go on when radiation encounters and penetrates the surface and sub-surface of a superconductor... especially considering that the "AC conductivity" of the medium appears non-linear with respect to frequency. The resulting recursive "internal reflections" and re-reflections of electromagnetic energy would appear difficult to "evaluate" without computer modeling... however, doing so might prove instructive. (A task that the writer hasn't the expertise or resources to accomplish.) [/INDENT][INDENT]The Buddhist concept of Enlightenment: "A patent violation of The Conservation of Energy Principle?"[/INDENT][INDENT]Gauging by my own response to these ideas about the zero-point, seems likely that reading this essay thus far may have "pushed some buttons" in many people, as the discussion alludes to a process whereby certain types of energy - the primordial "stuff" of our world - may be effectively "disappeared." If that which is truly Real is Eternal, then we might construe from this discussion and further investigations that this world of form indeed appears an illusion projected by our ineradicable, jointly-held, yet singular Subjectivity; an impermanent illusion, in Buddhist language, that, with the "Enlightenment of All Beings," appears bound to disappear. [/INDENT][INDENT]In the somewhat more hard-edged Christ-centered terminology of Gary Renard's first book The Disappearance of the Universe, based on A Course in Miracles, the Universe of Forms appears as a symptom of illness - a projection of illusory guilt that will be undone with the realization: "the Atonement," (or Undoing.) "Undoing" this purgatorial world manufactured by the collective ego, according to Renard's book, actually "disappears the Universe," whilst revealing our Divinity in God's Presence - Infinite Bliss, Joy, Peace, Happiness. [/INDENT][INDENT]Perhaps the greater value of discussing the potential ability of humanity through science to "undo" certain limited types of physical energy lies in a symbolic significance. If this world built of energy appears "hellish" at times, and merely mildly purgatorial at others, the scientific Law of Conservation of Energy seems a highly intellectual way of saying "hell appears inescapable." Seems that, in an intellectual climate predominated by this belief - even at the forefront of scientific exploration - a demonstration that we could have been mistaken in declaring Conservation of Energy an inviolate and fundamental physical Law (a "Law" actually reflective of masked despair) could appear a welcome relief, though one many folks may deny until ready to begin embracing humanity as "spiritual beings having human experiences." [/INDENT][INDENT]The Power of Faith [/INDENT][INDENT]With all the tendency toward paranoia around the Zero-Point discussion, there appears some trepidation about much further pursuing the implications of this particular discussion without "testing the waters," so to speak. I usually seem to ramble on far too long, anyway... as my mom used to say, "You're just talking to hear your head roar..." [/INDENT][INDENT]With regard to openly discussing Zero-point energy, some dark fantasies have been entertained about being whisked away by a black sedan and receiving "punishment" for threatening to encroach on socioeconomic turf where "hardball" appears the name of the game - not that there isn't a time and a place for some such tactics. When dealing with terrorist threats and the like, global security concerns seem to demand a very "tough-love" approach. [/INDENT][INDENT]Though viewing some covert governmental actions and even certain 'Black-Ops' as excusable or even legitimate interventions in global affairs may seem preposterous - and although the potentially corrupting force associated with appearing to have a "big-hand" to play in governing world affairs does seem, inevitably, to involve "luciferic" temptations to which some world leaders, military personnel, and covert operatives fall prey, I have repeatedly observed the power that warm regard and faith in authority figures has to beneficially transform both internal states of mind and, surprisingly, the unfoldment of what previously seemed like "external" events and relationships in a purely objective world. [/INDENT][INDENT]Also seems entirely possible that I have a vastly over-inflated sense of my seeming understanding of superconductivity and Zero-Point issues, and I certainly have posted what now seem some pretty ridiculous ideas on the web... but, oh well... "...seemed like a good idea at the time..." [/INDENT][INDENT]Anyhow, should science wind up reconsidering the inviolability of "Conservation of Energy," our Universe may start appearing more and more as being like a kind of "spiritual cramp" within the Mind of God.[/INDENT][/INDENT]In the apparent ongoing battle between "Science" and "Religion," we see all kinds of people feeling threatened and becoming defensive... both Scientists and Religionists alike. Perhaps a healthy choice amidst this seeming struggle might involve adopting a "universal omsbudsman" ideal. Can a person serve his fellows by protecting the best aspects of Science and Reason from the incursions of polemical religious dogma, and also by protecting the best of our transcendent longings (however entangled they may be in dogma) from being squashed by scientific materialism?

In our luckier moments, we may be able to help facilitate a slight softening in this conflict... anticipating a time when Science and Spirituality can consciously "join hands" in the quest for Truth....

David M Boie
Author, A Dog Ear'd Cosmos
www.lulu.com/davidboie