INTEGRATING IMAGINATION WITH REALITY.pdf
Rodney Bartlett · Figshare · 2016
GAlbert Einstein is quoted as saying, "For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand." Experiments and mathematics have done a superb job of integrating the human mind's reasoning abilities with the universe. I believe we have now reached the point where the separateness maths and experiments rely on must be surpassed. The trend of discoveries in physics is towards unification of the whole universe, and all time, into one thing ... one event. Start with 19th century scientist James Clerk Maxwell uniting electricity and magnetism into electromagnetism. Then consider Albert Einstein's attempt in the 20th century to unite electromagnetism with gravitation and produce a Unified Field Theory. Lastly, think of modern physics' dream to unite everything into the TOE (Theory of Everything). One day, the Unified Field or TOE will be successfully achieved and it might extend far beyond the wildest hopes of today's science. In 1911 Vladimir Varićak asserted that length contraction is “real” according to Lorentz, while it is “apparent or subjective” according to Einstein. Einstein replied: “The author unjustifiably stated a difference of Lorentz’s view and that of mine concerning the physical facts. The question as to whether length contraction really exists or not is misleading. It doesn’t “really” exist, in so far as it doesn’t exist for a comoving observer; though it “really” exists, i.e. in such a way that it could be demonstrated in principle by physical means by a non-comoving observer.” (a non-comoving observer is eg an experimenter in a scientific facility or medical lab) Since "non-comoving" maths/experiments have done an excellent job of integrating our reasoning with the cosmos, they will be referenced frequently and occupy by far the greatest portion of this article. However, "co-moving" with Unification now opens the door for other aspects of the mind, such as imagination and intuition, to become an essential part of our comprehension of the universe we live in. This article is definitely is too far fetched if we look at it from the viewpoint of today's science. But that doesn't mean it can't be true. I'm fascinated by the distant future - so I started with known science and let my imagination see what that science could develop into. Someone from 200 years ago could have combined known science with imagination, and developed a picture of possibilities for today. In the early 1800's, it would have sounded impossibly far fetched ... but it might have come true. Maybe the wild imaginations of the few give other people goals to approach with baby steps - and goals that eventually come into reality.