A day : Schrödinger's cat, algebra, etc.

Physics & philosophy

I thought a good breakfast conversation would be about Schrödinger's cat, the classic thought experiment that helps explain the paradox of quantum mechanics through the example of a hypothetical dead-or-alive cat in a box. It was a good conversation, and reminded me of how much fun we had a few years first watching the CW show Flash and the ensuing vibrant dialogues about string theory, particle accelerators, time travel, and physics at large.

Maths

What are you think about Algebra at this point? I asked our 14-year old, hoping to be of help. Any particular challenges? She kept cranking through as I looked over her shoulder and tried to keep up, hoping to impart my knowledge in some small way. No. she said. It hasn’t been that tough so far. And I inwardly felt both proud and envious. Proud of her in doggedly sticking to something she doesn’t enjoy on the level of say, Theater or Writing, and envious in how…easy a time she seems to have in processing areas that were very challenging for me at that age.

Kant

We talked about 18th century German philosopher Immanuel Kant’s thoughts on what motivates people to do what they do, and of the importance of understanding why we do something or make a choice. In other words, the ways that nagging is different from teaching; something that has deep relevance in both teaching and parenting.

When people understand why something is important or necessary, they will be much more likely to do so, rather than being forced into it. This fundamental aspect of human nature is a good one for me to be reminded of, again and again.

There Will Come Soft Rains

Ray Bradbury’s 1950 short story is well worth reading and re-reading. So I read aloud. There are no humans. They’re all dead, post-nuclear annihilation. Just a house filled with smart gadgets and inventions that take care of everything, and continue functioning, for a while, as nature, in all its soft rain brutality, takes its course. Prescient, thoughtful, relevant, and terrifying in its quiet assertion of how humanity’s hubris can offer all manner of pleasure, convenience, and self-destruction.

Timeline

She’s been reading Michael Crichton’s time traveling novel from 1999, and I had her attempt to explain to her mother and younger brothers the basics of quantum theory. With a grin and a giggle, she stumbled her way through, apologizing for not being more articulate. I assured her she was just fine, and I deepfake my way through most deepscience topics involving string theory and photons.

I love seeing the deep concentrated little ten-percent smile she gets when she’s immersed in a story and loving where it’s going.

The Two Towers

I decided years ago that our children would read Tolkien first before seeing Peter Jackson’s trifecta of beautiful films about Middle Earth and the converging fates of various heroes, friends, and villains on their journeys. But recently I rethought that thought, and my thought was this: I’m impatient.

My introduction to many wonderful pieces of literature at a younger age sometimes came via abridged, all-ages, or illustrated classic versions. Even my first experience with Tolkien was at a public library. There was a stack of paperback backs with accompanying cassette tapes that you could listen to while following along in the book. I sat there with my headphones on and made my way through The Hobbit and Fellowship of the Rings, enthralled; the Tolkien estate might not always be pleased with some adaptations of his work, but sometimes the gateway to something magnificent is a different one than we foresee.

Our older children have invested many hours in many books, classic and modern, fiction and non-, long and short. I decided finally that rather than having them journey through the books first, we would enter the world of Middle Earth via the films and get acquainted with the characters, geography, language, locations, and themes. At some point I think and hope a love and familiarity with these will lead them to a longer investment in the delicious details, in print, of these classics.

In the meantime, it is a wonderful experience to share with them. My appreciation for the casting has only grown, in particular Viggo Mortenson as Aragorn. His thoughtful, reflective intelligence and philosopher’s soul gives gravitas and counterweight to the brutal and vivid battle scenes, of which there are many.

We’ve been discussing the many Christian themes woven throughout and the ways in which Tolkien’s disinterest in allegory was a major difference between him and fellow world-building author C.S. Lewis.