Time

I feel compelled to explain the source of "The next paradigm shift" title for this site. Sir Michael Atiyah gave the inaugural Einstein Lecture to the American Math Society here on the UNL campus. During this public lecture, he discussed the intermeshing of math and physics and whether or not the math influenced the discoveries in physics or if the physics discoveries motivated the progression of mathematical theory. As he was concluding his thoughts of the current state of mathematics and physics, he tied back into what made the beginning of this century so exciting: Einstein’s publication of his Theory of Special Relativity and the quantum mechanics that came from his publications on the Photoelectric effect. In a time when physicists were thinking that they had all of the laws of science figured out--all that was left to do is calculate the constants to a few more decimal places--they needed a drastic change in their outlook: A Paradigm Shift. He then explained the concept of parallel time and how the current state of physics uses math to predict events in the future, that is, after time progresses. However, due to probabilistic qualities of certain elements of physics, we do not always have this luxury. So how then do we explain this phenomenon?

*Cue Mathematicians.....or maybe...Theologians?*

Why does everything have to be based on time? Of what REAL importance is time in our lives? True, we cannot avoid it and its incessant driving of us towards eternity when it will no longer be of value but do we need to place such a high priority on it. What priority does God place on time?

I'm not about to abolish my scheduler...but I think that some serious evaluation of time needs to be done. And it shall be.....