Friday, March 27, 2009

The Atomic View

A thing to ponder:

There are no objects, only time-delimited assemblages of particles.


I don't know who said it, but it is pretty true, isn't it? But you have to think pretty long-term for some things, like when you think about a gold nugget or other rock, hardwood floors, and plastic-based diapers. Then there are the ephemeral things that changes and decomposes/rusts/withers/disassembles quickly, such as books, clouds, wool mittens, and pizza. It is pretty amazing that all these things are made from the same thing - particles of elements.

2 comments:

Olle said...

Have a try with Michael Frayn, The human touch : Our part in the creation of a universe (London: Faber and Faber Ltd, 2006). Good reading and he is deep in with that "instability" of things.

LS said...

Interesting - I'll look it up, thanks Olle.