The Supernova Dream

by Douglas Clark

I wish there was a way to make my dreams come true. I mean an easy way. Doesn't it just seem like everything we want is always hard, involves tons of work, discipline, and determination, and takes so damned long, it makes you wonder why the hell you tried in the first place. When someone says "If it were easy, everyone would do it" or "Nothing worth doing is easy", why is that true?

I think the answer, in a word is Imagination. Life is the way it is. Nothing more, nothing less. But a human's ability to daydream, imagine the 'what ifs' and yearn for something more makes reality that much harder to simply accept. We know that things can be different, we understand that through our decisions, actions, efforts, and aspirations, we can make a difference. 

Without the recognition that we can change the world, we'd all just be worker ants, drones, the type of zombified shadows that drudge through life merely existing and not living. Without ambition and imagination, we would accomplish nothing new, and when we expired, no trace of our uniqueness would remain. 

Power, greatness, immortality, these elements make for great motivators, not just in stories, but in life. We can't have it all, and as mortal beings, we know this. But as imaginative creatures we yearn for that thing just out of reach, just over the horizon, barely possible, so that we can leave our mark on existence.

Dreams are hard because they are up against the cold harsh truth that in our reality, so very little of us remains once we are gone. And while we are here, so very much else drowns out our fragile individuality. 

Our dreams give glimpses of who we are, what we long for, and what we long to leave behind. Like mini supernovas, a dream realized is still a brief flash in the universe that nudges attention toward it, for just a moment. When you realize a dream, you tell the universe, I was here and I mattered. And it listens. 

Go nudge the universe. 

Thanks for reading.
Questions and comments are welcome. 

The Inspiration Engine Book Review

-  By Douglas Clark

A Universe from Nothing by Lawrence M. Krauss

Lawrence M. Krauss is a physicist and university professor with a long distinguished career. Holding a Ph.D. in physics from MIT he currently is the Director of the Origins Project at Arizona State University. He has authored multiple books and been recognized by his peers with awards such as the American association for the Advancement of Science, the Presidential Investigator Award, and the Gravity Research Foundation award, to name a few. http://krauss.faculty.asu.edu/biography/

Brief Description

Lawrence Krauss takes the reader through a detailed view of the universe as we understand it today. By providing concise explanations of how we came to this knowledge and what it means, Krauss beings to expose the nature of the universe to the layman. With a strong foundation and clearly reasoned belief in the Scientific Method, Krauss makes his case that the data we have explaining the universe provides a reasonable and factual model of how it began, evolved and ultimately will end.

 Memorable quotes

“Our universe is so vast that, as I have emphasized, something that is not impossible is virtual guaranteed to occur somewhere within it. Rare events happen all the time. “

"Empty space can have a non-zero energy associated with it, even in the absence of any matter or radiation.”

“At the heart of quantum mechanics is a rule that sometimes governs politicians, or CEOs­ -- as long as no one is watching, anything goes.”

What makes this book Unique or special…

Krauss employs an epigraph at the beginning of each chapter to help focus the reader and put them in a mindset that will frame the discussion.

The inclusion of graphics, charts, and photographs help when some of the data needs a visual representation to clear things up.

Krauss doesn’t dumb down the narrative. His explanations are straightforward and concise, but sometimes you’ll actually have to think to completely grasp his meaning.

As a bonus, Richard Dawkins provides an Afterwords. Admittedly, there’s just a bit of pandering to Krauss on Dawkins part, however, the point is made that Krauss provides his explanations and reasonings by way of scientific fact and empirical data, not faith or revealed knowledge from divinity. Combating theologian derision is something which Dawkins has a bit of experience combating.

Readability

Throughout most of the book, Krauss keeps the scientific jargon to a minimum and explains the analysis of data in a reasonably understandable fashion. There are, however, spots where the conceptual explanations become complicated and demands that the reader fully pay attention. This happens mostly in the latter chapters, such as when he explains how empty space actually contains energy and contributes to the expansion of the universe. Chapters 8 and 9 contain the densest of material so paying attention is critical.

Final Thoughts

Overall, A Universe from Nothing is a pretty good read. Krauss stays on topic and supplies just enough data and history to keep it interesting without bogging down the narrative. It’s very clear Krauss knows what he’s talking about and wants you to understand his meaning. He is earnest in his attempts to impart a bit of scientific knowledge to his readers. If you’re looking for a deeper understanding of how the universe works, read this book.

Thanks for reading.

Questions and comments are welcome. 

DouglasHClark.com