While reading the latest article in the New York Times about NASA's quest to prove that dark matter is the foundation of all matter in nature, I can't help but recall a chapter in the Moby Dick called "White for Whales."
The Times' article explains that famous scientist and Nobel laureate Sam Ting will launch a device called Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer into space to find the exact evidence that dark matter is at the core of the universe. As the Times explained, "You might think that when you were in high school you knew that the universe was made up of atoms and molecules, protons and electrons, stars and galaxies, but in the past few decades, astronomers We have come to the conclusion - not happy - that is all just a grid covering the shadow field of a hidden "dark matter" whose gravity determines the structure of the universe."
In addition to providing the potential for a huge technological breakthrough, the experiment has profound philosophical significance. The previous "Moby Dick" chapter philosophically thinks about the theme of the novel: there are hidden sinister and daunting things behind everything, "the incredible illusion of life", as embodied by beluga whales.
In "The White Whale of the Whale," Ismail discusses why the whiteness of the whale has exacerbated its horror. He was surprised by the idea that white is "the most significant symbol of spiritual things, not just the veil of Christian deity; it should be the most astounding enhancer in reality." White exaggerates the fear of horror things, such as "Moby Dick" or "The ruthless void and universe in the universe", "Destroy our thoughts when we see the depths of the Milky Way", which is reminiscent of the evil agent lurking in the core of existence. People, all creatures are subtly aware of this.
Similarly, in a stunning expectation of Darwin's sequence, the narrator describes how a pony will be scented by a pure buffalo robe in a "live in a tranquil valley in Vermont, a beast away from all prey" The attack "begins, snorted, eyes stunned, and wrote the ground in a strong shame," because even this "stupid barbarian" has the "instinct of the world's demonist knowledge."
White and white whales symbolize the notion that what we see on the surface is only an illusion, while the presence on the bottom is full of emptiness: because the light itself is white/colorless, it plays the role of "cosmetic" "The role, therefore, all "the earthly shades - every solemn or lovely decoration - the sunset sky and the sweet colors of the woods, yes, the gilded velvet of the butterfly, and the butterfly cheeks of the young girl; these are subtle deceptions In fact, it is not inherent in matter, but it can only never begin; so all deified nature is absolutely like a prostitute."
It's always fascinating to see the way science strengthens art. Interestingly, great thinkers in the humanities and sciences often pursue the truth with the same energy and passion, even if their conclusions are frightening - just as Melville is poetic about the basic voids inherent in white and infiltrating the universe, Sam Ting is energetically leading his team of scientists to confirm dark matter throughout nature.
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Orignal From: From Dark Matter to Moby Dick: "All deified nature is absolutely like a prostitute"
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