Friday, December 31, 2004

Energy, Matter and the question of Aliens

E=MC^2

Energy is equivalent to mass multiplied by the speed of light to the power of 2. Thus is linked the properties of energy, mass and light in a simple numerical ratio.

One of my good friends, a dedicated scientist, has always insisted that all is energy and its transformations. I agree, but if all is a mass of dancing energy, then so is consciousness. And if so, consciousness and mass is equivalent in some form then? What is THAT numerical ratio then I wonder.

In any case, if such an equivalence of mass, energy and consciousness is true, clearly, so called 'magic' becomes possible. Think about it. If consciousness is truly another version of energy and mass, there is in theory nothing impossible about transforming our thoughts into lightning bolts or lethal ice blocks (in the best tradition of computer games) or perform the feats of typical X-men and women. It would merely be as banal as the transformation of heat energy into kinetic energy into electricity in a power plant. Or for that matter, from hydrogen into helium in a nuclear bomb (boom). Or is it that simple? =)

Well after all, it takes an awful effort to persuade hydrogen to turn into helium (and some mass into energy) or any element to morph into any other element whether through fusion or fission. Indeed, our astrophysicists will inform us that all elements heavier than iron require no less than a supernova to manufacture. Is it really that simple to achieve the 'fusion' of thoughts into physical energy, or the 'fission' of energy into thoughts?

Yet every human body is clearly moved and acts in sympathy with our thoughts and our consciousness. Most scientists tend to approach this problem from the other way: that is, it is the matter in the body that generates consciousness. Well, whichever. Whether the body moves consciousness or consciousness moves body, or both, if all is energy, both are fundamentally the same thing. And if science is right, the laws of the universe should apply to both--laws that include their transformation from one form to the other.

A future science should then produce grand and not so grand unified theories of matter, energy and consciousness. In addition, it must of necessity comes armed with a technology able to transform matter, energy and consciousness to one another effectively, and which utilises all three at once according to their laws. Finally, it may produce some secret of spotting what the alchemists termed the 'prima materia', the fundamental state of energy, matter and consciousness.

So if you ask me, I really do not think aliens, if they exist, use flying saucers and need to hurl all manners of plasma rays and torpedoes, gatling beams, mauler devices and what-not at each other. Sometimes I think fantasy authors probably paint a truer picture of advanced civilisations. Think Gandalf, Merlin and other merry folks waving their staffs, not Vulcan, Klingon and Psilon spaceships engaged in interstellar tango.


So well, all hail to mages as well as to macs. Toast, and a happy new year to a magical science.

PS. Of course Aliens may still have big heads, groggy cute eyes and a shining finger. Indeed, it may well require a big brain to emit large quantities of mind energy. Big eyes and sensitive fingers are also clearly helpful for energy channeling. Perhaps Spielberg is prophetic and can see where no man can see before =).




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