Friday, September 23, 2011

Faster than the speed of dark!

So neutrinos travel faster than the speed of light. Or so it has been reported at the Cern observatory. As expected, I have had a lot of questions on this subject. Although I can't speak to all of them, I can offer this bit of thought.

The universe is unfolding as it should. The rules that govern the universe can only be detected as far as our senses can reach. Although we are quite good at helping our senses with fancy detectors, scopes, and measuring devices, we are completely limited by the human experience. The human experience shapes and distorts our limited ability to understand nature. As we reach for better ways to interpret what our senses deliver, we become more able to understand the complexities of the universe.

At the same time, the complexities we unlock tend to breed more complexities. The problems we solve are solved by opening our eyes to see farther. When we see farther, we see new things, that unlock new problems. They require new ways to see, which we invent and the cycle repeats.

I think the news of faster than light travel of neutrinos will say more about neutrinos than it does about Einstein.

But, as I've always said, it is very exciting to see the boundaries of science being pushed back!

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