July 7, 2006
A
preview printing of this book will be available by July 15, 2006. The first 25 copies will be available for review
by interested individuals at no cost.
The remaining 75 will be sold during book signings.
………………………………………
This first excerpt is from:
The Introduction
……………………………………In the 1960s I was studying quantum mechanics at UCLA and became enthused at the prospect that matter somehow exists as a wave state, and then by a mysterious means, becomes physical matter.
Knowing
this helped me to start a personal quest to discover how this fits into the grand
picture of how and why the universe started and what is the significance of my
life. Why am I here? Why are any of us here?
Eventually
enough of the picture came together, and
I decided to write a book. Lucky for
me, these new ideas began to gel into a much more complete picture—a picture
that turned out to be very obvious—yet at the same time almost completely
hidden.
Throughout
my lifetime, I have had a great respect for theories based on idealism where
true reality is of a spiritual rather than a material nature. It seems that quantum theory strongly
supports this concept. The problem is
that it seems impossible to grasp how something can have a wave nature until you
sense it, and then suddenly it becomes physical. Many physicists of the Hindu persuasion such as Dr. Amit
Goswami seem to accept this transformation process. However, I believe these explanations are
often based on objective beliefs, when normally, beliefs are actually
based on what our subjective attitude tells us. How we subjectively feel about a concept determines the degree of
confidence we have in that concept.
Suddenly
an idea occurred to me that simplified the problem. This idea blossomed into a theory I call Interpretive Reality
and soon I was rewriting the book. This
theory is extremely simple, yet it can be a challenge to truly comprehend. It is necessary to empty your mind of the
idea that everything is physical, and instead realize that you are exclusively
a spiritual being—and that the physical world you sense is merely an
illusion. I explain in the book how
this is done and how it leads to a whole new vision of your surroundings—a
vision of what I call the land of Thought-Space.
To
me, Thought-Space is the all-in-all being that represents the sum total of all
value. It is our cognizance and
influence on our surroundings that create this arena of value. As we participate in life, value expands,
and as this happens, the majesty of Thought-Space expands. As Thought-Space expands, so does our sense
of enlightenment and as our sense of enlightenment grows it feeds back
continually in a process of regeneration.
This book is about a journey that carries one from the beginning of time, through the evolutionary process and on to the present with a glimpse into the future. Throughout this adventure, the reader discovers where thoughts come from and how the real beginning of the universe evolved. He discovers how his being evolved and how it becomes an integral part of the vast arena of Thought-Space. In the end, he learns that his being, containing the attributes of his character, will continue forever in the land of Thought-Space.
A few of the chapters are somewhat technical and shows how the scientific explanations for the beginning of our universe are established on an obstinate phalanx of paradoxes. Scientists, in their bewilderment with these paradoxes, seem to have no choice but to invent such concepts as quantum vacuums, multiple worlds or hidden variables to explain them. These explanations are as difficult to understand as the paradoxes themselves. This book emphasizes that many of these paradoxes are not necessary, and that there is another choice.
The second chapter is a technical introduction of the concept of Thought-Space. These explanations are written for individuals who have lay knowledge of physics, consequently the first few chapters are not easy to understand and require a certain degree of study for a proper comprehension. I have included this material because I believe that the average reader, with a little bit of effort, will be gain a lot of insight into a new thought provoking concept.
As time moves forward, the tenor of the book changes to more familiar concepts and is an easier read.
I have refrained from using words such as spirit or God in this book. If you are talking science, then I feel that only scientific terms should be used. However, the God or Spirit concepts, even though inconspicuous, echo with meaning throughout the work Even though this book is short and can be read in an hour or so, I do not believe that it is a quick read. A lot of thinking has to be done along the way. This is why I have used large margins—to make it easy to insert notes and references. If, having studied this, if it dawns on you what this is all about—if a sense of enlightenment begins to stir your interest, then please email me at don@thought-space.net, and say “I get it.” If you don’t feel a sense of enlightenment, then please email me and say, “I don’t get it.”
The second
Excerpt is from:
A Plethora of Paradoxes
…………………We begin this journey by peering out from an imaginary perch at a vast expanse of nothingness. Since this is the very beginning, the concept of time, distance, and energy do not yet exist. Here we encounter the first of many paradoxes that so obstinately block the start of everything that is.
The
first paradox states that it is impossible to get something from nothing, and
since we must start with nothing, then a something cannot possibly begin; but
it must, because we know that we exist.
The explanation for this paradox is that this beginning void can be
called a quantum vacuum. Most scientists generally accept this
explanation. The principles of quantum
physics generally state that a quantum vacuum is basically a mathematical state
of probability, declaring that if you have a virtual or imaginative something,
then there is some probability that this virtual something can also exist as a
real something.
One
of the popular theories that involve the formation of the universe is called string
theory, or in the most accepted version, superstring theory. If we follow superstring theory, then we
would have to contend with an expanding explosion of tiny strings instead of
points, and this would present the third paradox. Superstrings can only exist in space-time as filaments that have
from ten to twenty-six space-time dimensions, but no matter how microscopic we
measure we can only see and measure objects in three dimensions. Any theory specifies more than three spatial
dimensions violate what is measurable.
There
is another popular beginning theory claiming that as the probability for each
new moment of creation occurred, there is a random chance that other worlds
were born at the same time. This
theory, called the many worlds theory states that as each quantum event
moves from moment to moment, that new particles randomly appear either in this
world, or in another. In other words,
there would be a continuous expansion of new worlds from moment to moment. It means that from moment to moment you are
copied into additional worlds, each having a unique outcome of its own.
Some
aspects of this theory can get so bizarre that a few physicists believe that
membranes of different worlds collided and caused this big bang of
creation. This is such an outlandish
idea that just by logical reasoning it is a paradoxical process.
Regardless,
since we are here, we continue to watch this expanding sphere, when it suddenly
explodes with an enormous expanse of energy that immediately populates the
surrounding space with additional particles.
As this happens, we watch the first mass type particles appear.
Is
this how it all happened? Is this
really the true story of the beginning of our universe? As you can see, this entire creative process
we have witnessed is based on paradoxes.
We have been looking for science to explain all of this, and all we see
are continuous violations of scientific principals and common sense.
Nearly
2500 years ago, Antiphon and Plato each postulated theories of idealism where
true reality exists only in the form of ideas, and not the physical reality we
all sense. Some of the eastern and
Gnostic philosophies have their foundations based on idealism. In the early 20th century, George
Berkeley coined the phrase Subjective Idealism. His work today is at the epicenter of most movements in
idealism.
When
considering the principles of idealism, one finds that that the tenor of
Quantum Physics falls into these principles.
This is based on the Copenhagen Interpretation of quantum physics, which is mostly
accepted by physicists today. This
principle states that matter primarily exists in a wave-state, and then upon
observation, becomes manifested in a particle state. This Wave-particle duality, whether
seen, heard or sensed in any manner, instantly through this act mere of
observation, causes a sudden pop fizz transition from wave to particle
(another paradox).
However,
if instead we look carefully at the principal of idealism, we see that only the
wave nature can be considered a true reality and the particle nature must be
merely an illusion. The fact that
idealism requires that only the wave nature is real, creates another
conundrum. Why does this illusion of
matter exist? If it isn’t real, what is
it?
Consider
this: As we observe our surroundings, is this observation really what we are
looking at, or is it just a mental image?
Obviously it is our mental imaging that seems to make it real, so let us
think about this for a minute. If we
believe that everything exists in the nature of a wave, and if we relate to one
another by sensing their wave states, then by creating mental images of this
interaction, wouldn’t we really be interpreting these wave states as
physical matter?
This
process, called Interpretive Reality, actually eliminates the pop fizz
action, because we can now categorically claim that physical matter is truly an
illusion. The amazing aspect of all of
this is that all of those obstinate paradoxes suddenly disappear.
By
holding the above concept in mind, we might ask, “How and where does this
wave-state exist?” In order to answer
this question, we need to visit this realm of wave-states, into a land called Thought-Space.
The third excerpt is from:
Digression Into the
Thought-Space Concept
……………..Our means of
observation can be a dichotomy of logic when we attempt to understand
wave-particle duality. There appears to
be two modes of actuality, one called spatial or the space-time continuum and
the other a mental construct of ideas.
Philosophical definitions of the two are the a priori (ahh-pree-o’-ree) and the a posteriori (ahh-pos-tir-ee-o’-ree). These two concepts cannot be logically
combined within any scientific argument.
The a priori can only be used as a symbolic model for the a
posteriori world, and never an actual thing of reality. This has been demonstrated in Kurt Godel’s
Incompleteness Theorem and in David Hume’s statement that defines the a priori
declaring that nothing can be demonstrable unless the opposite implies a
contradiction.
Scientific theories that attempt to explain cosmological
principals often run into trouble when they mistakenly mingle this dichotomy in
a logical hypothesis or theory.
It was Louis DeBroglie who
in 1924 demonstrated that objects of matter can be considered as having a wave
state. Since the principal of
Interpretive Reality states that it is the wave nature of thoughts that
interpret other wave states into visions of the space-time continuum, we need
to grasp a mental picture of the nature of this Thought-Space where all wave
states abide. John von Neumann (1903-1957), a famous
mathematician and computer genius, explained how it is the consciousness of
intelligent beings that translates the wave nature of objects to the physical
senses. Consequently we are on pretty
solid ground with the Interpretive Reality theory.
In
order to present a rational explanation of how to examine Thought-Space, we
need to present a realistic picture of this wave state in which the
consciousness lives, so follow along as we unravel some information for a
clearer understanding.
An amazing phenomenon takes
place when a mass particle, such as an electron, is directed towards a metal
plate with two pinholes in it. There is
a likelihood that if the pinholes are small enough and close enough together,
some of these electrons will somehow know where the holes are, divide
themselves in two, pass through both holes, and recombine midway past and
between them.
This phenomenon appears
totally mysterious, for logistically, a single electron can’t know where those
pinholes are before it gets there; but in order to divide itself in two and
pass through both pinholes, it does know.
In addition, it is believed
that an electron is a primary particle and cannot be split in two; but somehow
this must happen in order for momentum to be conserved. The only way to understand how a single
electron can pass simultaneously through both pinholes is to consider that its
energy propagates as a wave and passes through as described by Erwin
Schrodinger’s probability wave equation.
Unfortunately, our attempts to
picture the wave nature of matter have met with a lot of shortcomings. We just can’t seem to get away from physical
spatial concepts. Our traditional
vision is a packet of waves traveling at the same velocity as the particle, but
containing waves which travel at velocities greater than the speed of
light. We say that this packet
represents the probability of locating the particle.
So what is this world of
velocities greater than the speed of light?
Physicists John Clauser and Alain Aspect each independently demonstrated
that reality is non-local. This means
that information of a mysterious nature can pass instantly at superluminal
velocities (greater than the speed of light) across far reaches of the universe. This doesn’t mean that communication is
possible under these conditions, but it does mean that particles such as
photons (particles of light) have a mysterious sense of awareness across the
far reaches of space (called entanglement).
This can be understood by
looking from the point of view of point like particles (photons and
neutrinos) that travel at the speed of light.
If you used your imagination and took a ride on a photon, you would see
space collapsed to a plane, and at the same instant, you would notice that time
dilated to infinity. This means that
from their point of view, the space-time continuum does not exist. But remember, this is from their point of
view, not from ours, where we have the constraints of relativity, ………………………………………..
The
fourth excerpt comes from:
Digression Into Entropy.
…………………….However, Just
because we cannot expect an exploding clock to have a probability of
reassembling itself, it doesn’t mean that random processes cannot assemble
states of order. Every structure that
exists may be called a stable symmetry, from the tiny electron to a
giant star, even clusters of galaxies.
Sure, the stability is temporary, but nevertheless, all these structures
last long enough to establish identifiable characteristics. Darwin pointed out that evolution progresses
through random occurrences which, when aided by natural selection and adaptive
radiation, evolve into stable life forms.
But isn’t it true some of the principles of Darwin might also apply to
cosmological evolution?
Consider for a moment the
possibility that the random processes which are supposed to lead to disorder
are really the trials of trial-and-error processes, and these processes lead to
the creation of stable symmetries. It
is obvious that the vast majority of trials fail (continuing disorder). However, eventually, a combination occurs
which has a stable structure (order).
The very nature of this stable symmetry is that it begins to stop the
process, for the energy of the random activity that creates the stable symmetry
becomes stored in it. And as the random
activity continues, additional stable symmetries are formed, using up more of
the energy. Eventually, enough of the
energy is converted to where the probability of creating additional stable
symmetries diminishes, and a state of equilibrium takes over.
But we have not finished
yet. The random processes continue,
consisting this time of the interaction of the stable symmetries just
created—only now, higher order symmetries emerge. The process repeats again and again, each successive stage constructed
of the residue of those previous to it.
…… ……………
The fifth excerpt comes from:
The Dawn of Volition and
Value
Through the control of the
semi-permeable membrane, we see the cells learning how to accept and reject the
nutrients required for their growth. And in some way related to this, we notice
that the mechanism of accepting and relaying an ionic charge becomes the first
instance where the act of volition is demonstrated. Now what is this word volition?
What does it have to do with ionic
charges?
We are now approaching a
turning point in our vision of the universe and we need to prepare ourselves
for a few rough bumps as we dig deeper into the realm of abstract notions.
The containment and release
of an ionic charge is analogous to the storage and transfer of
information. If a cell receives from
another cell an ionic charge as a message to perform a function, and if It in
turn sends out additional ionic charges as an inquiry to determine which
function to perform, then that cell is in the process of making a
decision. Decision making is voluntary
behavior; it is the process of selecting from alternative choices; it is the
state of volition in action. Up until
now, activity followed the rules of probability where acts of volition were
unnecessary.
Now, for the first time, we
are casting aside this indeterminate process in favor of a deductible
decision. In other words, activity
within the cell’s structure acts to make decisions that promote its survival,
and volition is what we call this decision-making process. You may now get the
feeling that this just may be the beginning of the first most important
event ever to take place.
Volition is a new word in
this sea of random probability. In this context it is a word of determinism,
rather than the indeterminism speculated upon by many mainline physicists. Indeterminate actions follow the rules of
statistical probability whereas determinate activity follows the path of
volition or conscious decisions. The most fascinating aspect of this is the
connotation of volition in Thought-Space.
The first elementary essence
of volition is that of a primitive thought. It seems that likening this cell’s decision to a primitive
thought may be something of an overstatement; in fact one might consider the
cell‘s decision an urge rather than a thought, or better yet, the essence of an
urge? But since the energy world
consists of a temporal passage of uncertain moments, and all past time and future
probability reside in Thought-Space, this essence of an urge must reside there
also……………………………
The sixth excerpt
is from:
Back to Ground Zero
……………….To keep consistent
with some of the main principles of quantum mechanics, we need to modify our
view of the energy world. This can be
done by revisiting the nature of the a priori—the relationship of
ideas. We do this by involving
ourselves with the concept of probability scenarios as they pertain to the
cosmos.
In order to accomplish this, we will need to free our minds of
conventional thoughts, and imagine an essence beyond physical awareness, an
essence of pure ideas. As you know, a
priori notions are such essences.
They require no physical or ether concept to sustain them;
because, they simply exist.
Probability scenarios are of an a priori nature. Time and space are not necessary for their
existence; in fact, time and space are notions derived from probability
scenarios. However, every a priori
notion is not a scenario. For instance
the notion of Pi is not a scenario. For the purpose of this discussion, a scenario is a series of
related concepts that determine the nature of events. The scope of these events may be within or
beyond our imaginations.
A fundamental statement
concerning this subject is that all a priori notions exist,
and this infinite number may have an infinite number of branches. In other words, every a priori
concept and its related branches, exists.
All a priori notions have to exist because time is not a dimension that
is necessary for their existence. Another
fundamental statement is that each of the infinite number of branches of an
a priori notion is a probability scenario.
A final fundamental statement is a speculation stating that since the
future phase of Thought-Space represents the probability of events, then it
is of the same stuff as a probability scenario, meaning that all
probability scenarios have a Thought-Space nature.
In this discussion, we will
concern ourselves with two types of probability scenarios. The first we shall call real and the
second, virtual. Virtual
probability scenarios simply have a nonmaterial characteristic and may carry on
continuously in an infinite manner like a mathematical series. Real probability scenarios represent
matter-like concepts that are finite.
And now that the definitions
are over let us see how they apply to our understanding of the Thought-Space
concept.
We will start before the
first speck of energy existed. All
that existed at that moment before time was the infinite expanse of probability
scenarios. Now because we can
categorically claim that we exist, we can therefore categorically state that
there existed at that moment at least one unique scenario that contains the
entire past history of our universe.
This means that there existed within this scenario a point where an
event took place, allowing some element within the scenario to recognize
itself. At the point of recognition
the scenario abruptly stops, because self-recognition implies volition and
determinism. Consequently, by the
above definition, our probability scenario is real and the first moment of
self-recognition becomes the dominant factor of causality.
Now is the time to blend the above with the concept of Interpretive Reality. Since the visualization of a matter world arising from an a priori notion seems impossible, consider the following:
Imagine that your true reality exists within the wave nature of Thought-Space, where your future is determined through the probability of events there. Just like a hologram, your visualizations would not be the structure of the actual hologram, but instead the reconstruction of an image as light passes through the hologram.
In other words, the images
you visualize, and the sensation of all of the physical senses are an
interpretation of the wave structures that form within Thought-Space. The sense information you visualize is
merely your means of interpreting the Thought-Space wave structure.
As we have discussed before, most physicists conceive of sudden collapse of the matter wave structure to reveal a manifested physical reality. You may remember that the amazing aspect of the Thought-Space concept is that this “pop-phizz” collapse is no longer necessary.
To reemphasize, your
consciousness, residing as a Thought-Space wave state, interprets associated
wave states as the physical world in all of its vast detail, including the pain
and pleasure of touch, the subtle sensations of taste, the essences of odor,
and all of the intricate details of observation. In other words, the physical sensations we all sense are not
real, but simply interpretations within a probability scenario…………………
The seventh excerpt
is from:
The Real Story
The evolutionary process
begins anew, only this time the apparent manifestation of matter waits for the
element of recognition to give it birth.
As the first sense glands
began to form from the living cells, additional signals of recognition
manifested that which was sensed, into the interpretation of the energy
world.
And within your mind’s eye
you follow the steps of this Thought-Space scenario while stage after stage of
evolution progresses through time. You see the higher-order senses of sight,
sound and smell develop and enable the mechanism of recognition to operate on a
vast scale.
It becomes clear that these first sensations of the physical world
created the first manifestation of this world.
And as the development of these senses progressed, the realities of the
world began to take form. Out of this,
with unimaginable abruptness, the interpretations appeared as the mountains and
the valleys and the oceans and the sun and moon and stars. The planets that were first manifested as
points of light traversing the sky were later to have some of their incredible
detail manifested when the first telescopes and satellite came into use.
In other words you as a Thought-Space wave being interacting with Thought-Space wave structures of evolution, interpreted those waves as having the appearance of the matter we commonly sense.
If
we sit back for a moment and think about what was said in these last few pages,
this amazing vision is of a universe that virtually exploded into being when
the first intelligent life gained form on a small innocuous planet called earth. Before that time there was no manifested
energy world. …………..
The eighth excerpt
is from:
Digression Into
Consciousness.
………………..Just as we send
thought patterns throughout brains in search of a match of previously stored
similar thoughts, the minds of Thought-Space should also be able to search the
time scale (the phase nature of Thought-Space) for states of resonant chords
which harmonize with their thought perceptions. A time scale in Thought-Space
is a locus of events passing through the depths of the past. Searching this
scale forward would enable a thought entity to move toward the present. If a
mind is resonant with the patterns of the time scale in the direction of the
present phase of time, then it should be possible for its thoughts to become a
deductive process parallel to our own.
This means that in some
cases, thought entities of the past, having once shed their physical bodies
during their stay in the energy world, could invade the privacy of our beings and
become separate identities there.
If a person did not have a
sense of reality, or relinquished control of his body, the unconscious entity
from Thought-Space could re-manifest itself in a physical life form again.
Scary isn’t it? This might explain the
Mozarts, the Von Neumans and the John Stuart Mills. It might help us to
understand the Bridey Murphys and the Patience Worths and a childlike adult who
upon a single hearing and without lessons, plays in its entirety, without
mistakes, famous piano concertos. Poltergeists and possession and automatic
writing and Ian Stevenson’s Twenty Cases Suggestive of Reincarnation
make sense to us.
These same principles imply
a telepathic interconnectiveness between all living things. The many examples brought to mind include
the ability of some who are trained in hypnosis to induce such strong
suggestions that connections to reality become severed. Also there are continuous examples where
teachers or orators captivate audiences to a state of near worship. Also many performers are able to induce
frenzied states of behavior. Symbiotic
relationships often function to enhance team creativity and sporting combatants
can suddenly gain momentum where everything goes right and then in the next
moment lose that momentum to the other team.
Above all, it explains how
each of us fall into connective relationships with others where we feed upon
one another in mutually interesting discourses of free association. These evidences vividly demonstrate how our
everyday interactions and relationships with others are continually enhanced
through the telepathic magic of Thought-Space.
This is where we stop the
above digression. As our journey approaches the present, this digression
naturally begins to merge into the story. The scene is now set for the
conclusion of our journey, so on we go, heading for the present.
The ninth excerpt is from:
The Emergence of the Humanlike Animal
………………….As
we sit wondering what is yet to come, we see a group heading towards us. The members of this group appear happy and
relaxed, yet they move swiftly along the way.
They talk and laugh with each other, point out interesting sights, and
stop to examine the details of the many objects within their reach. Their only concern for the past or for the
future is their gratitude for what has gone by and their anticipation for what
lies ahead. They have no guilt nor
innocence, yet they feel joy and sorrow with intense passion. They love the sounds and sights of each new
day, they love adventure and excitement, but most of all they love each
other. They support the simple duties
of life, and shy away from the indulgence of prejudice. They are profoundly moved by the simplest
act, the simplest object, and the simplest thought. Their only wish is that they might have more time to take it all
in.
Who
are these beings? What do they do in this life? Out of their ranks come those
such as the artists, the physicists, the naturalists, the teachers, the
doctors, the politicians, the farmers, the janitors, the lawyers, the plumbers,
and the gardeners. The only
qualification one needs to join this group is to serve a purpose with
unconditional love and interest in people, places, and things. All that is necessary is to have a fervent
desire to replace the concern for the self with a burning desire to
learn and to love.
These
individuals anxiously await the time to shed the worn-out raiment of their
bodies and pass through the open door to fulfill their destiny. Then they will be able to release the
fettering echoes of inductive storage that they have struggled so hard to keep
at bay; the temptations and fears and prejudices that the unconscious entities
of their youth has planted. Then they
will be free to accept, free to spend an infinity of time gathering in the fruits
of the adventures which have passed before them—free for boundless love, free
to know, free to truly experience the rapture of the depths of meaning.
Have
you had enough? Don’t be too concerned with the visions you have just
witnessed. It seems that most
individuals share some of the qualities from each of the types that have just
passed by.
But reflect for a minute on what we have witnessed. We observed individuals of all kinds pass before us and on into Thought-Space. These individuals directed the courses of their lives by influencing each new moment which emanated from the field of probability. Each moment was nurtured into existence as the first spark of its essence became manifested in the reality of the present. But since a moment can only linger for a moment, it must slip by into the past abode of Thought-Space and join its predecessors.
Gradually this integration
of moments merges into the form of a spiritual incarnation that has waited for
each fading body to release the final germ of identity from the physical being
it had shaped. And then we see
thought-field visions of these once-aged individuals partaking of their lives
again as they prepare for an infinite tenure of experience in this arena of
value.
The final excerpt is from:
The Final View
…………………………As we prepare to leave the surface of this planet, it is difficult to understand how the elixir for the continual growth of love and wisdom will ever be realized. It is ironic they all have the same basic ends in sight, yet in blindness of their childish instincts are creating monsters for the greatest holocaust of all, termination of all living things on their planet. We can’t help but feel sad for the countless numbers of living beings, from the tiniest microbes to fish, birds, mammals, and man himself. For we have seen them all emerge from their seedlings, pass through maturity, and fade off into dust. One by one, we see consciousness of identities pass back into time depths of Thought-Space, creating, enhancing, and manifesting the meaning of all things.
We think again of man,
struggling against the heritage of his ego, charging like Disney’s lemmings
towards the cliff’s edge, oblivious to the magnitude of change awaiting
him. Also unknown to him is the
awakening of his immortal nature:
Knowledge that his true substance abides in a land with no precipices or
pitfalls; that the material body he has guided mentally through the years has
been but the spawning ground for his character. If he can gain this enlightenment within his allotted time, that
cliff’s edge will be no more than an illusion.
We have finished our journey. Was this a typical planet—one of an infinite number of others sharing a typical evolutionary existence? Or is there only one planet with a humanlike animal? If there is, then this is that one; even though we may turn our heads away in apathy, the fragile balance of enlightenment and oblivion is placed delicately into our hands.