Circle Theory:
Created | Updated Jun 5, 2002
For many years now, I have noticed that the world, and indeed the universe, consists of lots and lots of circles. Or rather, spheres, to be more accurate.
Consider the Earth. A sphere. Consider the Sun. Another sphere. The orbit of the Earth around the Sun. Circular. Atoms. Spherical. See a pattern?
Now, as I see it, everything evolves around and from the sphere. I suppose it could be considered a basic shape, from which an infinite number of non-spherical shapes can be built. In a way, they are similar to lego bricks. But in another way, they are not.
Each sphere, lets use an atom as an example, contains parts, in the case of the atom, protons, neutrons and electrons, which we think of as also being spherical. (Or at least I do, not being a scientist, I may be wrong!). But, not only does each sphere contain spheres, but it is also contained by a larger sphere,an atom being part of the earth, for example.
The most peculiar thing though is not just the above, but that each spherical structure, can (for arguments sake, at least) be considered stable, and the inner parts (except for inner spheres) can be considered unstable.
This occurred to me when hearing about the instability of subatomic particles, those of quantum physics. I find it fascinating that something stable can consist of unstable parts, yet I suppose it is only as odd as the fact that substance consists more of ‘holes’ than of matter, a fact which bothers me most when I collide with something, as if it is mostly nothing, then why does it hurt!
Anyway, back to the point I was trying to make, if stable atoms consist of unstable components, then, if my theory is right (which it probably isn’t, but I find it interesting, so i’ll continue) the world, and indeed the universe, is made up of unstable parts. Which suggests, that as humans are not, the earth, or atoms (just made of atoms), then we are unstable. This I suppose is true, as the process of evolution means that we chamge and evolve. Maybe i’m onto something. Maybe not.
Even if my idea is wrong, which I am pretty sure it is, I still think that it is fascinationg that the smallest particles identified are unstable. Its like the whole universe, life, everything, is just one big coincidence. And an unlikely one at that. To think that everything is made, essentially of unstable particles, so small, its difficult to prove that they do actually exist, makes me think that this place is quite fragile. I think it could easily collapse.
An odd idea, I know, but as science develops, and discovers that our existence seems more and more unlikely by the day, I’m afraid of the day when science will prove, that statistically at least, we don’t exist. And I wonder what effect that will have?
