How does science reconcile two irreconcilable viewpoints? Create a Third Option. The Theory of Everything successfully merges both views into a single equation.
By Robert Simmons
For the first time in the history of physics we…have a framework with the capacity to explain every fundamental feature upon which the universe is constructed. For this reason, string theory is sometimes described as possibly being the “theory of everything” (T.O.E.) or the “ultimate” or ‘final’ theory.
Brian Greene, The Elegant Universe
Scientists are people, too, though they try really hard not to be. Their job description requires them to look at things objectively, be open-minded, share information, scrutinize the facts, and serve the truth, wherever it leads. Often, however, they spend a considerable amount of time being biased, close-minded, self-serving, and political, like the rest of us.
Norms and Counternorms
In the jargon of Robert Merton and Ian Mitroff, each with their respective scientific ‘norms’ and ‘counter-norms’, we learn that sometimes scientists share their work to promote collaboration (communality), and sometimes they don’t (solitariness); sometimes they are objective (universalism), and sometimes they are biased (particularism); often they work for the benefit of science (disinterestedness), but sometimes they only seek personal gain (interestedness); mostly they expose all theories to critical scrutiny before they can be accepted (organized skepticism), though occasionally they get influenced by politics (organized dogmatism).
Einstein was arguably super-human. He took a leap of faith and embraced the concept that light had a fixed speed limit – a ‘Constant’ 670 million miles an hour. This measurement had been around for well over 200 years (even today, 100 years after Einstein’s revelation, people still try to disprove it), but rather than letting this anomalous fact sit there, unresolved, Einstein utilized it to re-imagine the universe in a simple equation: E=mc2, which is not only easy to remember, but damn accurate for comprehending the bigger picture of what is going on around us.
Lesson 1:
When a fact is known, embrace it; let it grow your perspective. Do not fear any change that might come from it or resent the truth for your misinterpretation of it. The truth is transparent and fixed and is not dependent on your comprehension of it. The root of all suffering is our ignorance of the truth, which is why heading toward truth should be every one’s ultimate goal.
Lesson 2:
Until a fixed starting point or foundation is established – some ‘Constant’ – no new paradigm or model can be built. To say light has a constant speed or ‘all people are created equal’ means nothing until it is used as a foundation upon which a model can be assembled.
Just as the world came to embrace Einstein’s theory of General Relativity, a new theory emerged – Quantum Field Theory – which focused on the subatomic or fundamental underpinning of the universe. This theory did not jibe with Einstein’s theory, so Einstein, rather than ‘double down’, deny, or get defensive, began a quest to merge these two seeming disparities; meanwhile, every one else took a side, choosing to focus on one theory while ‘furtively’ ignoring the other.
Lesson 3:
When incompatible ‘realities’ clearly exist, a solution can only be viable if it takes all these ‘realities’ into account. Check your Ignorance and challenge yourself to ‘wrap your head around’ a bigger picture view.
Einstein could not solve this problem in his lifetime, mostly because he attempted to do it all by himself. Eventually, however, other scientists began the quest to merge these two competing equations. Both theories deal with the forces that act upon things. Both perfectly describe the thing at which they are looking (through either telescope or microscope) – and both break down when turning their gaze the other way.
First, scientists needed to figure out what role these fundamental particles actually played in the overall composition of the universe.
It turned out that these particles (various electrons, neutrinos, and quarks) are all simply playing their assigned parts in some harmonious symphony of energy and matter. Because scientists could only see these particles in terms of energy, rather than hear them, for instance, as pitches, rhythms, timbres, dynamics, or rests, some let their Ignorance get away from them, and declared ‘chaos’ at the quantum level. Of course, if these various instruments were truly playing at random, there would be a cacophony of discordant chaos at the macro level; a ‘crumpled mess’.
Far from being a collection of chaotic experimental facts, particle properties in string theory are the manifestation of one and the same physical feature: the resonant patterns of vibration—the music, so to speak—of fundamental loops of string. The same idea applies to the forces of nature as well…and hence everything [all matter and all forces] is unified under the same rubric of microscopic string oscillations—the “notes” that strings can play.
Brian Greene, The Elegant Universe
Our Universe was built from the bottom up (small to large) and from backwards to forwards (past to future); therefore, the fundamental particles that make up our Universe must contain the ‘score’ of this elegant composition, and carry it with them, during the whole of their journey through space-time.
They set the tone for how our universe unfolds. Similarly, people are the fundamental particles of human society, so for us to create a more elegant version of society, it behooves us to better understand how we behave at our quantum level. What are the strings that resonate within us?
The Third Option Theory of Everything
Science has looked for and found a Third Option – a way to harmonize two seemingly dissonant theories; it is time for society, through government, to do the same. The Third Option is wholly dedicated to solidifying ‘The Human Equation’ – a working Theory of Everything for the universe of people – in order to guide us toward a more harmonious form of government.
where ’S’ represents the amount of Suffering caused, determined by the quotient of ‘How much has been Taken’ (expressed as Control [C]) divided by ‘How much has been Given’ (expressed as Power [P]).
Defining Terms
According to many centuries of research (done by 99 percent of the human population), life is defined by our Suffering [S], which can fall into one of three categories: indirect (inadvertently generated) suffering (usually referred to as ‘negative externalities’), direct (intentionally administered) suffering (usually referred to as ‘oppression’), and self-inflicted suffering (which can run the gamut from complete powerlessness to total self-control).
Suffering is caused by Control [C], which is defined as the product of our Desire [D] multiplied by our Ignorance [I]. The need to Control what is outside ourselves can be seen as directly proportional to our inability to Control what is inside ourselves. Therefore, Control [C] can be undercut (divided) by the process of Self-Actualization [sa], which utilizes Self-control [s] combined with learned Awareness [a]. Becoming aware of our Ignorance or Desire will do nothing without the active attempt to govern them.
Control can be further undercut by Power [P], which is defined as the actualization of our Potential Power [PP] Our Potential Power is defined as the sum of all that has been given to us by others, combined with the human capacity to create our own Power internally, identified as Mercy (M). Power, once it is given (or passed on) to others, is converted into ‘Empowerment’ (aka [PP]); this is how the force of Power has been perpetuated throughout human existence. It gets dissipated by Control, or wasted through non-use, but is also continually enhanced through various acts of Mercy [M], such as love or altruism.
Empowerment needs have been identified by Abraham Maslow as ‘Deficiency Needs’, and form the foundation of his Hierarchy of Human Needs. What Maslow calls ‘Basic Needs’ can be represented as GC (the amount of ‘Certainty’ Given). What he calls ‘Psychological Needs’ can be represented as GB (the amount of inclusivity or Belongingness Given). The even-handed dissemination of these needs (by those in charge of our care) can instill the concept of Fairness [GF] within us, which is a significant factor in how we eventually disseminate our Potential Power [PP] to others. Through ‘Empowerment’ (Power transferred to others), we are also more likely to seek learned Awareness (or Self-Actualization), which is the strongest tool yet invented to cut into the root of Human Suffering.
Mercy [M] is the human capacity to exceed our Potential Power [Pp] – to give away more Power than may have been given to us. Love is a form of Mercy (though some may not see it this way). Every one has the potential to harm those who are under our care, regardless of whether we claim to ‘love’ them or not. Control is mainly a product of Desire and Ignorance, but its effect increases proportionally when Potential Power is low (for example, when our ‘Deficiency’ needs are not being met). This makes all of us vulnerable to having ‘Control’ issues. Every selfless or compassionate act, regardless of incentive for or against it, is ultimately an act of Mercy [M], which is proof that this is a ‘strong force’ within people – a little bit goes a long way. Control is like gravity: it holds things together, but it only seems strong because it is so prevalent; in reality, it is a ‘weak force’.
Putting Theory into Practice
The concept that all people are created equal implies that our paths can potentially diverge postpartum. The Third Option believes we should all combine whatever Mercy is within us, and through a random act of Fairness [GF], ensure every citizen’s Basic Needs (Certainty or [GC]). We can also help supply a portion of our Belonging Needs [GB] through securing full employment, which bolsters self-esteem. We can also aid parents so they can better focus on providing Mercy [M] to their children; by providing more childcare, counseling, Universal Pre-K, Parental Leave. We can increase overall Awareness through turning Education into the drive toward every one’s Self-Actualization [A], which includes understanding our Desire [D] and our Ignorance [I] in order to better manage them.
By better understanding the Human Equation, or Suffering Quotient, we can chip away at all three categories of Human Suffering through Awareness and management of Desire and Ignorance, coupled with bolstering our Potential Power through providing as many of our Deficiency Needs as possible, though always tempered with Fairness, which can be seen as ‘reciprocal obligations’ that must be earned by every one.
We hope every one will use their extensive experience in Suffering and Control to further shape this Human Equation, but our ultimate goal must be to turn words into actions, defined by clear actionable steps toward a government operating system upgrade. Control is always an Action, and Power (currently called ‘soft power’) needs to be turned up in order to match it. If we wish to see Power Overcome Control within our lifetimes, it must be through the exercise of our collective Mercy – that divine spark that lies buried within each of us.
The Third Option invites you to see how We would actualize a governmental Theory of Everything. Go here for all the details.
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