Turning Left, I Saw Electrons
I was waiting to turn left at an intersection, waiting for a car coming in the opposite direction, toward me, to pass me. And then I thought about the dimension of time, the equation for calculating distance (velocity multiplied by time), and electrons as described in quantum theory.
Electrons are damn hard to measure, and even with the best measuring devices one can only guess as to where they are positioned at any given time.
Time. There’s that word again.
Anyway, look up “Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle” and you’ll get even more confused in terms of figuring out what an electron is and does.
Along with Time is the equation for calculating distance, which involves Time. How fast you go (velocity) multiplied by how much time you take, and you get distance. Easy enough. But apply this equation to electrons and it doesn’t really work. No matter what scientists do, they can’t seem to figure out where an electron will be at a given time. The sucker’s hard to pin down.
Why?
A lot of people have theories, so I’ll propose mine. I’m cross-referencing some buddhist philosophy to quantum theory, and throwing an idea out there. Here’s a passage from the Dalai Lama’s World of Tibetan Buddhism book:
We find that between the past and the future there is an extremely thin line—something that cannot really withstand analysis and remain as the present. If we were to maintain a single point in time as indivisible, then there would be no grounds for dividing between the past, present, and future, because it would all be indivisible. But when we speak of divisible time, then there is hardly any present remaining between the past and future. If the present cannot be posited, how can past and future be posited?
Whoah. Does that mean that time a) does not really exist, b) doesn’t have to exist, c) is one of our many many delusions?
Is this why it’s so hard to follow an electron? What if electrons exist outside of the limitations of our world? What if electrons don’t give a shit about time, and they’re off doing their own thing, jumping in and out of different dimensions?
If this is true, is it possible for me to make that left turn EXACTLY as that other car is crossing the intersection, as long as time were not a factor? If time were not a factor, could things exist in the same space at the same time, like my car and that other car, without our airbags exploding and our insurance premiums getting adjusted?
Is this why the Dalai Lama likes to collect watches?
http://www.tibet.ca/en/wtnarchive/1999/10/24_1.html
As a good Buddhist, he is not supposed to become attached to worldly possessions; yet he is hopelessly enamored of his collection of wristwatches. His fascination with watches is an endless source of annoyance to him, a sign of his imperfection.