from Frank Wilczek's Nobel (physics) lecture, 2004 ("Asymptotic Freedom")

[fflo]

In theoretical physics, paradoxes are good. That's paradoxical, since a paradox appears to be a contradiction, and contradictions imply serious error. But Nature cannot realize contradictions. When our physical theories lead to paradox we must find a way out. Paradoxes focus our attention, and we think harder.

Comments

realization

[shmizla.livejournal.com]

i'm guessing this wasn't translated into english -- although i don't know for sure -- but i like how in english "Nature cannot realize contradictions," where Nature seems capable of "making happen" by way of "thinking it," or "incapable of understanding" because of "impossibility."

i like that conceptually -- the Nature is omnipotent like that because it can "think anything," ie "will anything," but that it's also infinitely capable of possibilities, and cannot *imagine something not happening.

it's up to the masterful outsiders to let go of the categories they have for thinking through it (the blinding light, as it were).

Re: realization

[fflo.livejournal.com]

English original---you're right. And it IS cool conceptually how the takes on realization work...

Me, I've just been talking about how pivotal being able to imagine something is in my decision making and/or people pursuing. Doesn't have to be a guarantee---far from it---but I seem to do better when I have an inkling somewhere inside of envisioning. To connect this stuff a tad to what you were just writing (blogging) about.

Then there's the whole matter of something not seeming to exist or being thought concretely unless articulated in the head in some version of a language, be it symbolic or verbal or (I gather for some folks) spatial/graphic.

Also this: Nature, Steven Crane famously said, is indifferent. Flatly indifferent.

(This stream of consciousness brought to you by/in My Midafternoon Lull, a near-daily ritual.)

wah

[homovegetarian.livejournal.com]

all of this is crushing me. . . I'm having a weird day. it is so apparent and simple and generous. yet. we are surrounded by the mess and the peril and the misery (miser root again) of the contradictions invented by our civilized minds.
woe is us.
but i love you shmizla and fllo, it makes me feel better to imagine you each puttering through your days pondering such things. mad love to you both, my darlings

Re: wah

[fflo.livejournal.com]

and back atcha, my dear one!

may tomorrow's take on our (big messy mutual) lot be a light-hearted one for you...

we love to love you too!

[shmizla.livejournal.com]

it's all so easy when you look at it

Re: realization

[peteralway.livejournal.com]

Nature, Steven Crane famously said, is indifferent. Flatly indifferent

Has anyone famously said that God is an autistic-savant?