The Precious Promise

The following is an excerpt from Elder Maxwell's discourse entitled, The Precious Promise which he gave in 2002. The whole talk is stunning, but I found this to be particularly insightful as I listened during my drive home from work today:

"The traits of character to be focused on are all interactive, and they hasten the development of each other. Paul notes one spiritual sequence when he says, 'Tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope,' and hope brings more of the love of God (Romans 5:3–4). If you and I will meekly submit to 'our light affliction,' whatever it is, this will lead later to a far greater 'weight of glory' (2 Corinthians 4:17)."

It is easy for one to say to himself, "That's just not one of my strengths," and therefore he fools himself into thinking that a particular weakness is not mutable. It is true that God has given us various talents and, in contrast, certain weaknesses. As we focus eradicating our weaknesses of character, we inevitably work on our entire spiritual self. It's nice to know, then, that as I strive to develop more patience, I also foster increased love, etc.

Everything is Energy, String Theory, and Easter

This is a follow up to my last post. In this post I'll present some ideas about energy, string theory, and even touch upon Easter since it's tomorrow.

I found the following piece of text posted on some random website and while it's not the most in-depth, well written thing (I think this was written in a different language and then translated into English, I even made some minor edits to improve readability) on the idea that everything is energy, I thought it encapsulated the idea quite well. So have a read and then I'll post some basic information on string theory in order to see what string theory can shed on the subject.

Everything is energy

The scientific world is beginning to discuss what meta-physical and spirituality teaches have known for centuries that our physical universe is not really composed of any "matter at all". Its basic component is a kind of force or essence that we call energy.

These things appear to be solid, liquid or gas and to be separate from one another on the level at which our physical senses normally perceive them. On finer levels, however, atomic and subatomic levels seemingly solid (or liquid/gaseous) matter is seen as smaller and smaller particles within particles which eventually turn out to be just pure energy.

Physically we are all just energy and everything within and around us is made up of energy . We are all part of a great energetic field. Things that we perceive to be solid and separate are in reality just various forms of our essential energy. We are all one, even in a literal, physical sense.

The energy is vibrating at different rates and thus has different qualities from finer to denser. Everything then is matter, or energy, just at different levels of refinement. Thought is an extremely fine, or light, form of energy and therefore works very quickly and is easy to change and manipulate. Matter is a relatively dense, compact energy and is slower to move and change. Of course within matter there exist great variations of refinement as well. Living flesh is relatively fine, changes quickly and is easily affected by outside forces. A rock is much more dense and is therefore slower to change and more difficult to affect. Yet even rock is eventually changed and affected by external sources of energy such as fire, light, air or water. In fact, all forms of energy are interrelated and can affect one another.

As you are reading this, pause for a moment and look around yourself. Everything around you is just energy in its manifested forms of solid, liquid or gas. You, yourself, are nothing but energy, organized into a body and with some special energy which controls that body, or energy body. Feel it. Close your eyes and imagine the pool of energy in and around you. Merge yourself in this field of energy. You can create and change your life, your energy, at any time.

Ok, so hopefully that was at least mildly interesting. What this leaves out, at least to me, is what exactly am "I." What is the "I" that controls this energy body, or spirit body. Obviously beyond the energy there must exist some sort of will. So then we bring in the concept of "intelligence" with God being the most intelligent "I" and us, his children, being lesser "I"s (I don't think I'm punctuating that correctly, but you get the idea). So, from what I understand, we have matter, or energy, which is all made up of the same "stuff" and it "vibrates" at different levels, thus creating distinctions between various forms of energy and even dimensions, or worlds such as the physical, tangible world which consists of energy vibrating at a very slow, low rate and higher dimensions, or spirit worlds, vibrating at higher rates, or speeds. We know that through Christ we will be resurrected, which is what we will celebrate tomorrow at Easter. The resurrection will reunite our spirits with our bodies, never again to be separated like they will be at our deaths. Does this mean our bodies will be just as tangible as they are now? I think the answer to that question is YES.

When the Lord returned to visit his apostles, he showed them the prints of the nails and the mark on his side and he bid them to present him with food, honeycomb and broiled fish, and he did eat. I think He did that for a very specific reason: to show of the tangibility of his body. At the same time, however, I have considered that where the Lord is now, in "Heaven," his body must consist of a different sort of substance. In other words, it is physical, it is real, BUT it is not like our bodies here in that it is perfect. Perhaps it is a body of more refined energy, or matter. Furthermore, the mind of God is obviously not like ours. Our minds, at least while we are awake, are directly tied to our physical bodies. I cannot lecture my students about a story and effectively be somewhere else simultaneously perceiving what is going on there. The Lord, however, somehow manages to be corporeal and present yet where He is and, at the same time, His essence, His light, His presence can be elsewhere.

I don't know how this idea makes other people feel, but it makes me excited and it makes me love God all the more for it makes me think about how much more wonderful and glorious our lives will be on the other side of the veil and it makes me feel awe for the goodness and glory of God. I honestly get a sense of vertigo, or dizziness, sometimes when I think about these things, almost as if I am losing touch with what more often than not feels so real here and, instead, am beginning to comprehend, or see, what really is or can be.

Ok, it's getting late, but let me throw in some information on string theory because the idea of matter/energy "vibrating" or oscillating at different frequencies often throws people for a loop. This is a common idea in many mystical traditions (new age idelogies, which are really not new at all but rehashes of the most ancient of ideas, also like to discuss all matter as vibrating) but is not very well known to most Christians. Now, with the advent of string theory-which, by the way, seeks to unify the various theories relating to physics in our universe-scientists are beginning to talk about vibrating matter/energy and various dimensions. Interesting eh?

STRING THEORY

A Theory of Everything?Some physicists believe string theorymay unify the forces of natureby Brian Greene

The Elegant Universe homepage
Note: For a definition of unfamiliar terms, see our glossary.

The fundamental particles of the universe that physicists have identified—electrons, neutrinos, quarks, and so on—are the "letters" of all matter. Just like their linguistic counterparts, they appear to have no further internal substructure. String theory proclaims otherwise. According to string theory, if we could examine these particles with even greater precision—a precision many orders of magnitude beyond our present technological capacity—we would find that each is not pointlike but instead consists of a tiny, one-dimensional loop. Like an infinitely thin rubber band, each particle contains a vibrating, oscillating, dancing filament that physicists have named a string.

In the figure at right [above], we illustrate this essential idea of string theory by starting with an ordinary piece of matter, an apple, and repeatedly magnifying its structure to reveal its ingredients on ever smaller scales. String theory adds the new microscopic layer of a vibrating loop to the previously known progression from atoms through protons, neutrons, electrons, and quarks.

Although it is by no means obvious, this simple replacement of point-particle material constituents with strings resolves the incompatibility between quantum mechanics and general relativity (which, as currently formulated, cannot both be right). String theory thereby unravels the central Gordian knot of contemporary theoretical physics. This is a tremendous achievement, but it is only part of the reason string theory has generated such excitement.

Field of dreams

In Einstein's day, the strong and weak forces had not yet been discovered, but he found the existence of even two distinct forces—gravity and electromagnetism—deeply troubling. Einstein did not accept that nature is founded on such an extravagant design. This launched his 30-year voyage in search of the so-called unified field theory that he hoped would show that these two forces are really manifestations of one grand underlying principle. This quixotic quest isolated Einstein from the mainstream of physics, which, understandably, was far more excited about delving into the newly emerging framework of quantum mechanics. He wrote to a friend in the early 1940s, "I have become a lonely old chap who is mainly known because he doesn't wear socks and who is exhibited as a curiosity on special occasions."

Einstein was simply ahead of his time. More than half a century later, his dream of a unified theory has become the Holy Grail of modern physics. And a sizeable part of the physics and mathematics community is becoming increasingly convinced that string theory may provide the answer. From one principle—that everything at its most microscopic level consists of combinations of vibrating strands—string theory provides a single explanatory framework capable of encompassing all forces and all matter.

String theory proclaims, for instance, that the observed particle properties—that is, the different masses and other properties of both the fundamental particles and the force particles associated with the four forces of nature (the strong and weak nuclear forces, electromagnetism, and gravity)—are a reflection of the various ways in which a string can vibrate. Just as the strings on a violin or on a piano have resonant frequencies at which they prefer to vibrate—patterns that our ears sense as various musical notes and their higher harmonics—the same holds true for the loops of string theory. But rather than producing musical notes, each of the preferred mass and force charges are determined by the string's oscillatory pattern. The electron is a string vibrating one way, the up-quark is a string vibrating another way, and so on.

Far from being a collection of chaotic experimental facts, particle properties in string theory are the manifestation of one and the same physical feature: the resonant patterns of vibration—the music, so to speak—of fundamental loops of string. The same idea applies to the forces of nature as well. Force particles are also associated with particular patterns of string vibration and hence everything, all matter and all forces, is unified under the same rubric of microscopic string oscillations—the "notes" that strings can play.

A theory to end theories

For the first time in the history of physics we therefore have a framework with the capacity to explain every fundamental feature upon which the universe is constructed. For this reason string theory is sometimes described as possibly being the "theory of everything" (T.O.E.) or the "ultimate" or "final" theory. These grandiose descriptive terms are meant to signify the deepest possible theory of physics—a theory that underlies all others, one that does not require or even allow for a deeper explanatory base.

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I bought this book, "The Elegant Universe" and have been reading it. Immediately after what you've just read above, the author goes into the fact that this theory scares some people; they see this theory as depressing or repugnant because it reduces the whole world, the whol universe, down into little vibrating strings and thus our feelings, ideas, etc. are just random filaments of energy bouncing off one another. I was shocked at first when I read that and then, of course, I realized that although this theory makes great sense to me in spiritual terms, it shouldn't surprise me that although such a grand, unifying theory only makes the existence of God and other dimensions more understandable to me, to those who don't yet believe in God, such theories only scare them and add more doubt and darkness into their minds.

In my world view it's enough to look into the eyes of a baby or meditate on a scene of nature to know that God lives and loves us, but to others, even the most convincing passages of scripure or beautiful physical theories don't bring them to a knowledge. The knowledge and love of God is always there, but it comes down to OUR OWN WILL. This is why some will end up in "hell." It is my conviction that hell truly exists BUT is the creation of each man (or woman) who goes there. So many are already there while so many of us are creating heaven in our own minds and homes.

I know this post was a little "all over the place," but I pray it sparks some introspection on your part and, perhaps, you've learned something new about the ways in which others, including myself, are looking at the universe and trying to make sense of it. Of course what matters the most remains personal righteousness, understand the nature of God, the exercise of the "basic virtues" of faith and repentance, but once we've entered in the path, we must push ourselves and we must not remain complacent, sitting around watching TV, gossiping about others, etc. These things make me sick and bored. I fall into the traps just as easy as many others, but I am constantly pulling myself out and making myself think, read, ponder, meditate, and WORK at living what I believe and talking about it with who ever will listen, so thanks for listening!

*BY THE WAY, the primary way I see this post relating to the previous one about information being a "thing" that makes up the universe is that if everything is energy and will, or intelligence, then perhaps another way of saying "intelligence" is information and we, as beings, are eternal pieces of information/intelligence.

The Basic Elements of Nature: Matter, Energy, and Information

I found this article interesting and I need to reread it because I was only able to skim through most of it. What is the universe made up of? Some say matter and energy. Others mention "intelligence" in addition to matter and energy. This article analyzed this very subject and points to information as one of the fundamental aspects of "it all." Perhaps information is directly linked to the term "intelligence." Anyhow, it's a worthwhile read, although I don't expect most people will get through or "get" most of it in one reading.

The Basic Elements of Nature: Matter, Energy, and Information

‎“Evidently nature can no longer be seen as matter and energy alone. Nor can all her ‎secrets be unlocked with the keys of chemistry and physics, brilliantly successful as ‎these two branches of science have been in our century.‎
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‎“A third component is needed for any explanation of the world that claims to be ‎complete. To the powerful theories of chemistry and physics must be added a late ‎arrival: a theory of information.‎
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‎“Nature must be interpreted as matter, energy, and information.” – Jeremy C Campbell. ‎Journalist and author of Grammatical Man: Information, Entropy, Language and Life, ‎Harmondsworth, Middlesex, UK: Penguin Books, 1984:16 (Reprint).‎

The Universe = Matter + Energy

Nature = Matter + Energy + Information

Many previous civilisations, traditions, and philosophies ventured to define the ‎basic building blocks of the universe. Most used a set of archetypal, classical ‎elements to explain patterns in nature. The Greek version of these ideas ‎dates from pre-Socratic times and persisted throughout the Middle Ages and ‎into the Renaissance, deeply influencing European thought and culture; but ‎the concept is far older in the Far East, and was widely disseminated in India ‎and China, where it forms the basis of both Buddhism and Hinduism, ‎particularly in an esoteric context.‎

The Greek philosopher, statesman, poet, religious teacher, and physiologist ‎Empedocles (circa 490-430 BCE), asserts that matter consists of four ‎elements – Earth, Air, Fire, and Water – a theory that was later supported and ‎embellished upon by the ancient Greek philosopher and scientist Aristotle ‎‎(384-322 BCE). This concept influenced the philosophical basis for the next ‎advance in the science of matter, namely: alchemy.‎

Plato mentions the elements as of pre-Socratic origin, a list created by ‎Empedocles. Empedocles called these the four ‘roots’; the term ‘element’ ‎‎(stoicheion) was used only by later writers.‎

The Greek classical elements represent the realms of the cosmos (the ‎‎‘ordered universe’) in Greek philosophy, science, and medicine, wherein all ‎things exist and whereof all things consist. The ancient Greek word for ‎element (stoicheion) literally meant ‘syllable’, the basic unit from which a word ‎is formed.‎

In Taoism, there is a similar system of elements, which includes Metal and ‎Wood, but excludes Air, which is replaced with the non-element chi ‎‎(mental/spiritual energy?), which is a force (Force = Mass x Acceleration) or ‎energy (Energy = Force x Displacement) rather than an element. ‎

In Chinese philosophy, the Universe consists of Heaven and Earth, Heaven ‎being made of chi and Earth being made of the five elements (i.e. ‎matter/energy).‎

The Pancha Mahabhuta, or ‘five great elements’, of Hinduism are Prithvi or ‎Bhumi (Earth), Ap or Jala (Water), Agni or Tejas (Fire), Vayu or Pavan (Air or ‎Wind), and Akasha (Aether). ‎

Hindus believe that God used Akasha (Aether) to create the other four ‎traditional elements, and that in it the Akashic record, the knowledge of all ‎human experience (information), are imprinted.‎

In the Pali literature, the mahabhuta (‘great elements’) or catudhatu (‘four ‎elements’) are Earth, Water, Fire, and Air. Pali is a Middle Indo-Aryan dialect ‎or Prakrit.‎

In Ayurveda it is believes that everything in this universe is made up of five ‎great elements or building blocks. These are Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and ‎Aether. Ayurveda, or Ayurvedic medicine, is an ancient system of health care ‎that is native to the Indian subcontinent. The word Ayurveda is a compound of ‎the Sanskrit word Ayur that means ‘life’ or ‘life principle’, and the Sanskrit ‎word Veda, which refers to a system of ‘knowledge’. Thus, Ayurveda roughly ‎translates as the ‘knowledge of life’.‎

Japanese traditions use a set of elements called the go dai, literally ‘five great’. ‎These five are Earth, Water, Fire, Wind (Air?), and Void (Aether?).‎

Qabalists also use a five-fold scheme (Aether, Air, Water, Fire, and Earth) that ‎dates at least as far back as to the time Empedocles, and probably even to ‎Noah’s Ark.‎

These basic elements of the ancients are the stuff of our physical universe – ‎matter and energy.‎

The modern periodic table of the chemical elements and the understanding of ‎combustion (fire) can be considered successors to these early models. The ‎current standard periodic table contains 117 confirmed elements as of ‎October 16, 2006 (while element 118 has been artificially synthesised). ‎Ninety-four (94) of these chemical elements (i.e. plutonium and below) occur ‎naturally on Earth.‎

However, general systems theorists often speak of matter, energy, and ‎information as fundamental categories. For example James G Miller’s living ‎systems theory is based on the idea that cells, organs, organisms, groups, ‎corporations, nations, and supranational organisations all process matter, ‎energy, and information. (Living Systems. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1978.)‎

Professor Miller’s research focuses on the physics of anisotropic, inherently ‎inhomogeneous media. These systematic studies of the anisotropic properties ‎of the heart have led to fundamentally new insights. He was the Albert Gordon ‎Hill Professor of Physics, Biomedical Engineering, and Medicine in the ‎Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, ‎Missouri, USA.‎

Living systems theory is an offshoot of Ludwig von Bertalanffy’s (1901-1972) ‎general systems theory, created by the American biologist James Grier Miller ‎‎(1916-2002), which was intended to formalise the concept of ‘life’. According ‎to Miller’s original conception as spelled out in his magnum opus Living ‎Systems, a ‘living system’ must contain each of 20 ‘critical subsystems’, which ‎are defined by their functions and visible in numerous systems, from simple ‎cells to organisms, countries, and societies. In Living Systems Miller provides ‎a detailed look at a number of systems in order of increasing size, and ‎identifies his subsystems in each.‎

Miller alleged that systems exist at eight ‘nested’ hierarchical levels: cell, ‎organ, organism, group, organisation, community, society, and supranational ‎system. ‎

At each level, a system invariably comprises 20 critical subsystems, which ‎process matter/ energy or information except for the first two, which process ‎both matter/energy and information:‎

‎1.‎ Reproducer
‎2.‎ Boundary

The processors of matter/energy are:‎

‎1.‎ Ingestor
‎2.‎ Distributor
‎3.‎ Converter
‎4.‎ Producer
‎5.‎ Storage
‎6.‎ Extruder
‎7.‎ Motor
‎8.‎ Supporter

The processors of information are:‎

‎1.‎ Input transducer
‎2.‎ Internal transducer
‎3.‎ Channel and net
‎4.‎ Timer (added later)‎
‎5.‎ Decoder
‎6.‎ Associator
‎7.‎ Memory
‎8.‎ Decider
‎9.‎ Encoder
‎10.‎ Output transducer

In biological systems (e.g., cells, organs, and organisms), matter and energy ‎are so closely related that they are often treated as one entity – matter/energy. ‎

A social organisation such as a corporation/business processes matter (e.g., ‎by transforming raw materials into finished products – goods and services), ‎energy (including the fuel and electricity needed to operate machines and ‎heat buildings), and information (e.g., strategies, budgets, personnel records, ‎customer orders, advertising messages, and financial records).‎

Although matter/energy has been the subject of scientific investigation for ‎several hundred years, a scientific conception of information is relatively new. ‎

A variety of definitions of information has been proposed. The American ‎electrical engineer and mathematician, Claude Shannon (1916-2001), defined ‎information as “a reduction of uncertainty”. Gregory Bateson (1904-1980) ‎defined information as “that which changes us”, or “the difference that makes ‎a difference”. (Mind and Nature, New York: Bantam Books, 1988:72.)‎

A crucial point is that information, unlike matter/energy, is a function of the ‎observer (mind). For example, the same message may have different ‎meanings for different people. Although information requires the perception of ‎a difference, the difference will require a matter/energy carrier (e.g., a page in ‎a book, electrical circuits in a computer, or sound waves in air – collateral ‎energy). ‎

In addition, cognition requires a nervous system (formed out of matter/energy). ‎You can send information over the Internet, by fax, or by heliograph – one ‎cannot do the same with matter. When you fax a document, the information is ‎transferred, not the physical document.‎

Where then does information come from? Information is neither matter, nor ‎energy. Moreover, as the American philosopher and mathematician, William ‎Dembski (1960- ), correctly inferred, “Information is sui generis. Only ‎information begets information.” This is Dembski’s Law of the Conservation of ‎Information. (Intelligent Design, Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, ‎‎1999:183.) Information is the product of mind.‎

Thinking is a complex, internal, mental process that uses, and creates, ‎information (data organised within some context) as input and that allows ‎organisms to model (or map) their world, and so to deal with it effectively ‎according to their goals, plans, ends, and desires. Thinking integrates that ‎information into previous learned material and it may result in knowledge. ‎

Concepts akin to thought are sentience, consciousness, idea, and imagination. ‎Problem solving, decision-making, planning, information integration, and ‎analysis are five kinds of thinking. ‎

Information systems take data (facts, figures, pictures, numbers, symbols, ‎letters, codes, et cetera) and process the raw data into useful information for ‎decision-making, and control, purposes. ‎

A fact, or figure, in isolation has no meaning at all. If your body temperature is ‎‎39 degrees Centigrade, you might feel very ill and feverish, but if you also know that the ‎average body temperature of humans is 37 degrees Centigrade, you can now be certain that ‎you have a serious fever and help is needed.‎

Information is data that is related to each other in a very specific way to make ‎sense to some decision-maker (a mind). Thus, you need at least two bits of ‎data to create one piece of information. Information is a term with many ‎meanings depending on context, but is as a rule closely related to such ‎concepts as meaning, knowledge, instruction, communication, representation, ‎and mental stimulus. Information is organised data (raw facts and figures) in a ‎specific context. Information is a non-physical, immaterial entity completely ‎unrelated to matter/energy. ‎

‎“Thought can be about pigs or coconuts, but there are no pigs or coconuts in ‎the brain; and in the mind, there are no neurons, only ideas of pigs and ‎coconuts.” (Bateson, Mind and Nature, New York: Bantam Books, 1988:205) ‎
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Consider, for example, Phillip Johnson’s (1940- ) so-called basic points ‎regarding information (Defeating Darwinism by Opening Minds, Downers ‎Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press,1997:75): ‎

• ‎‘First, life consists not just of matter (chemicals) but of matter and ‎information. [In fact, matter, energy, information, and progams (another ‎kind of information).] ‎

• ‎‘Second, information is not reducible to matter, but it is a different kind of ‎‎‘stuff’ altogether. A theory of life thus has to explain not just the origin of ‎the matter but also the independent origin of the information. ‎

• ‎‘Third, complex, specified information of the kind found in a book or a ‎biological cell cannot be produced either by chance or at the direction of ‎physical and chemical laws.’ [A case of, nothing can be made out of ‎nothing – information is obligatory.] ‎

Energy is defined as something that makes work possible. Work is possible ‎with, or without, information.
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Things like zeroes {0} and ones {1} do not exist, except in mind. What you see ‎here is only symbols of the concepts, not the ‘things’ themselves – and they ‎have no energy, but they can carry information! Information is in essence only ‎patterns in matter/energy.
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When I see the leaves falling around me, I know winter is approaching ‎‎(information). My brain (matter/energy) uses collateral energy in the process ‎of thinking, but the energy is not part of the information. Information is the stuff ‎of mind; matter/energy (including the brain) is physical. Information is never ‎physical, but it can be, and usually is, represented in some physical form.‎

Now, Bremermann’s limit (proposed by the German-American physicist Hans-‎Joachim Bremermann, 1926-1996) states a relationship between matter and ‎information. ‎

In addition, a link between matter and energy had been proposed by Albert ‎Einstein (1879-1955). ‎

Furthermore, a connection between energy and information had been ‎described by the Hungarian-American physicist Leo Szilard (1898-1964). ‎

With an association established between matter and information, it appeared ‎that the contributions of Einstein, Szilard, and Bremermann imply that matter, ‎energy, and information, on the level of atoms, are related. (Physical ‎Relationships among Matter, Energy, and Information, by Stuart A. Umpleby.)‎

Bremermann’s limit is the maximum computational speed of a self-contained ‎system in the material universe. It is derived from Einstein’s mass-energy ‎equivalency and the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, and is approximately 2 ‎x 10^47 bits per second per gram. This value (limit) is important when designing ‎cryptographic algorithms, as it can be used to determine the minimum size of ‎encryption keys or hash values required to create an algorithm that could ‎never be cracked by a brute-force search.‎

For example, a computer the size of the entire earth, operating at the ‎Bremermann’s limit could perform approximately 10^75 mathematical ‎computations per second. If we assume that a cryptographic key can be ‎tested with only one operation, then a typical 128-bit key could be cracked in ‎‎10^-37 seconds. However, a 256-bit key would take about a minute to crack. ‎Using a 512-bit key would increase the cracking time to 10^71 years.‎

However, how are these basic categories – matter, energy, and information – ‎related? Einstein presented the well-known relationship between matter and ‎energy, namely: E = m.c^2. Indeed, physicists now regard matter as another ‎form of energy – i.e. matter/energy.‎

Around 1900, the German theoretical physicist who originated quantum theory, ‎Max Planck (1858-1947), observed that electromagnetic energy is not emitted ‎over a continuous range but rather in bundles or quanta, the energies of ‎which are proportional to the frequency of the radiation. The expression ‘E = ‎h.f’ means that the energy of a photon is proportional to its frequency. The ‎constant ‘h’ is called Planck’s constant and ‘f’ is frequency. Planck’s constant ‎also appears in the equation that defines the uncertainty in observing ‎subatomic particles. ‎

The Uncertainty Principle was formulated by the German physicist and ‎philosopher (who discovered a way to formulate quantum mechanics in terms ‎of matrices), Werner Heisenberg (1901-1976). The Uncertainty Principle ‎states that, an experiment cannot be devised that simultaneously fixes the ‎momentum and the position of a particle with unlimited precision, but only ‎within a momentum-position range where Planck’s constant defines the limit ‎of how precise an experiment can be.‎

Szilard showed that there is a relationship between information and energy. ‎Szilard recognised that Maxwell’s demon (proposed by the Scottish physicist ‎James Clerk Maxwell, 1831-1879) would require information in order to sort ‎high and low energy particles. He demonstrated that the act of measuring the ‎velocity of gas molecules would produce more entropy than the sorting ‎process would remove.‎

Bremermann suggested that there is an upper bound on the rate at which, ‎symbols can be processed by matter. They can be processed at speeds not ‎exceeding Bremermann’s limit of 1047 bits/gram/sec. ‎

Bremermann’s limit is derived from the equations E = m.c^2 and E = h.f, when ‎one photon is considered equivalent to one bit. That is, combining the ‎relationship between matter and energy with a relationship between energy ‎and information yields a new relationship between matter and information, at ‎least at the atomic level. ‎

The English psychiatrist, William Ross Ashby (1903-1972), used ‎Bremermann’s limit in pointing out the dramatic physical impossibility of some ‎pattern recognition strategies used in the early days of artificial intelligence. ‎He urged more attention to how the human brain functions.‎

Alan Mathison Turing (1912-1954) was one of the great pioneers of the ‎computer field and artificial intelligence. He inspired the now common terms of ‎‎‘The Turing Machine’ and ‘Turing’s Test’. As a mathematician, he applied the ‎concept of the algorithm to digital computers – he was the first person to ‎realise that programs and information can be handled in exactly the same ‎manner in computers, i.e. both programs and information are software. ‎

His research into the relationships between machines and nature created the ‎field of artificial intelligence. His intelligence and foresight made him one of ‎the first to step into the information age. ‎

Turing helped pioneer the concept of the digital computer. The Turing ‎Machine that he envisioned is essentially the same as today’s multi-purpose ‎‎(i.e. programmable) computers. He described a machine that would read a ‎series of ones and zeros from a paper tape – what a brilliant brainwave. ‎

To me, DNA is matter/energy; it is somewhat like the program strips (paper ‎tapes) that the old computers used to employ. (Punched cards were originally ‎developed in 1804 as an aid to textile production by a Frenchman, Joseph ‎Marie Jacquard [1752-1834]). These ones and zeros described the steps that ‎needed to be done to solve a particular problem or perform a certain task. The ‎Turing Machine would read each of the steps and perform them in sequence, ‎resulting in the proper answer.‎

This concept was revolutionary for the time. Most computers in the 1950’s ‎were designed for a particular purpose or a limited range of purposes. What ‎Turing envisioned was a machine that could do anything (it was a ‎programmable computer), something that we take for granted today. The ‎method of instructing the computer was very important in Turing’s concept. ‎

He essentially described a machine that knew a few simple instructions – ‎today these instructions are saved on one or more ROM chips in personal ‎computers. Making the computer perform a particular task was simply a ‎matter of breaking the job down into a series of these simple instructions. This ‎is identical to the process programmers go through today. He believed that an ‎algorithm could be developed for almost any problem. The hard part was ‎determining what the simple steps were to be and how to break down the ‎larger problems.‎

If we consider all the possible carriers of information, it is clear that the ‎relationship between matter and signal is not fused and definite. The ‎relationship depends on the material in which a pattern appears. That is, a ‎pattern or set of differences can be observed at the atomic level (where ‎Bremermann’s limit applies), in molecules (DNA), cells (neurons), organs (the ‎brain), groups (norms), and society (culture).‎

Both Szilard and Bremermann used the term ‘information’. However, because ‎of the complexities introduced by having to specify one or more observers ‎‎(mind), the term ‘information’ is not an elementary concept. ‎

Difference denotes the elementary building block of data, signals, or ‎information. Therefore, when dealing with physical foundations, Stuart A ‎Umpleby (Department of Management Science, The George Washington ‎University, Washington) believes it is preferable to speak in terms of matter, ‎energy, and difference. ‎

According to Umpleby, ‘difference’ is a physical entity that can be noted by an ‎observer (mind). Drawing a ‘distinction’ is a purposeful act that creates two ‎categories.‎

Scientists today understand phenomena related to matter/energy more ‎thoroughly than phenomena related to information. Perhaps reflecting on the ‎physical relationships among matter, energy, and information can help natural ‎scientists and social scientists understand better the nature of their disciplines. ‎

Efforts to apply the methods of the natural sciences to social systems have ‎led some people to conclude that matter and energy relationships are the ‎appropriate subjects of attention for social scientists. However, in social ‎systems, distinctions are essential. Gregory Bateson made this point as ‎follows, “… my colleagues in the behavioural [social] sciences have tried to ‎build the bridge to the wrong half of the ancient dichotomy between form ‎‎[mind] and substance [body]. The conservative laws for energy and matter ‎concern substance [matter/energy] rather than form [information]. But mental ‎process, ideas, communication, organization, differentiation, pattern, and so ‎on, are matters of form rather than substance. Within the body of ‎fundamentals, that half which deals with form has been dramatically enriched ‎in the last thirty years by the discoveries of cybernetics and systems theory.” ‎‎(Steps to an Ecology of Mind. New York: Ballantine, 1972:xxv-xxvi.)‎

However, mystics go even further and propose that something is needed to ‎bind the four basic elements (Air, Water, Fire, and Earth – matter/energy) ‎together in infinite proportions and combinations in order to construct the ‎manifest universe. Something is also needed to keep the elements from ‎melding and turning the universe into one big glob of mush. They say that, ‎that something is Spirit. Furthermore, they also profess that the Manifest Spirit ‎comprises Mind and Matter/Energy, and without Mind, there is no information.‎

The Book of Formation or Sepher Yetzirah (translated by Knut Stenring, and ‎published by Ibis Press in Berwick, Maine, 2004:22), describes it as follows, ‎namely: ‎

‎1.‎ First, there only existed ‘the Spirit of the Living Elohim’.‎
‎2.‎ Elohim created Air from Spirit. ‎
‎3.‎ Then Elohim created Water from Air. He poured snow over the Air and ‎it became Earth. ‎
‎4.‎ After Elohim had created Water, Elohim then proceeded to create Fire ‎from Water. ‎
‎5.‎ In the next six steps, God created space and the ultimate illusion, time. ‎

Was this then the cosmologists’ Big Bang, the mystics’ Sundering? ‎


Willie Maartens
http://authorsden.com/williemaartens ‎

What is "Gnosis"

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT believe that the modern gnostics are "true messengers." Although there are very good people who follow the gnostic path (not to be mistaken with agnostics or agnosticism) and have found, in my estimation, a shocking amount of truth and wisdom, they hold many beliefs that I simply cannot reconcile with the truth as it has been revealed to us in modern (and ancient) times.

The primary problem that I see beyond their lack of authority-which of course is a problem of paramount proportions-is that although they believe in the godliness of Jesus Christ and regard him as a Master (and from what I've read, some adherents to gnosticism regard him as THE Master, the greatest expression of God to have ever come into the world or to have appeared in physical form), they do not understand the atonement. They do not comprehend or believe that it is only through Jesus Christ's sacrifice that we can attain the presence of the Father. In many respects, modern gnosticism is a sort of amalgamation of every great belief system with personal revelation or self-actualization as the core principal. The primary reason, however, I am so interested in reading about what they have to say is that I am fascinated by the fact that a person can come to attain so much knowledge simply through meditation and working within oneself. To me it is both a blessing and a curse that God has allowed man to be able to do this and, in some ways, I believe it is akin to tasting of the fruit of the tree of life and living forever but remaining in one's sins, although I don't mean that literally. What I mean is that, in my opinion, what many of these individuals have done is skip over the vital, fundamental touchstones of the Gospel of Jesus Christ which are the first ordinances and principles of the Gospel, namely FAITH, REPENTANCE, BAPTISM, and the GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST. Instead they dive headlong into the mysteries of God. This doesn't make them evil, but it simultaneously provides them with unspeakable experiential knowledge and a lack of the basic, vital components necessary to gain eternal life. In other words, they taste of some of the most exceedingly delicious spiritual truths and feelings but cannot go beyond them. Beyond that they are missing some of the plainest and most precious truths.

Many extremely experienced "meditators" describe ascending quite high into the higher dimensions of existence only to find a "places" which they find difficult to describe and which represent a sort of boundary beyond which they cannot traverse. There is only so far one can go in that route thus, in no uncertain terms, it represents a sort of dead-end or damned path. Once more, I emphasis that these paths are not evil, but limited. They indeed see far more than the average mortal may over see in his lifetime BUT they are still damned in the sense that they cannot proceed beyond that level because they have not yet obtained the knowledge and ordinances necessary to do so. These individuals can go beyond those boundaries, but it will be quite difficult because they will have to show extreme humility in order to accept those basic truths they believe they have superseded. Ironically they will wait, like all others who have not truly accepted the Savior, to be taught the true order or to reject it.

In the end, the primary focus of any true disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ is to obtain the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel, including baptism by immersion, the reception of the Holy Ghost, to be married eternally, and so forth. It is then our responsibility to continue in the path rendering service to our fellow beings, demonstrating charity, or compassion, and repenting of our sins until we reach the perfect day in which the Savior, through His Grace, "pulls us" to His presence which is, naturally, the presence of the Father as they are one and dwell in the highest degree of glory. There is nothing wrong with meditation and seeking the mysteries of God. As we follow the true path, taking things in the PROPER ORDER, we shall have the mysteries revealed unto us "line upon line, precept upon precept." The following is from "...Line Upon Line, Precept Upon Precept..." 2 Nephi 28:30 by Elder David A. Bednar:

This principle is described in 2 Nephi 28:30. Please turn with me to this verse in the Book of Mormon.

For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have. (Emphasis added)

Brothers and sisters, the theme for my message this afternoon is contained in the phrase

". . . line upon line, precept upon precept . . . ." If you and I would learn to discern the difference between our own emotions and the promptings of the Holy Ghost, then we must come to recognize the Lord's pattern and process for giving us spiritual knowledge. And the phrase ". . . line upon line, precept upon precept . . ." describes a central feature of the Lord's pattern."

With that said, I invite you to read what the modern gnostics have to say about their beliefs HERE if you're interested. Beware though, as I have already warned; although there is nothing inherently dangerous here, these ideas come from good men but men who have nevertheless missed the mark to a significant degree.

Finally, I leave you with the following excerpt from Elder Russell M. Nelson who briefly touches upon the term "gnosis" as it pertains to repentance. It reminds me that what brings us closest to God, and therefore his mysteries, is the principle or repentance. You can read the talk from which this excerpt has been taken HERE:

Broader Meaning of the Word Repent

The doctrine of repentance is much broader than a dictionary’s definition. When Jesus said “repent,” His disciples recorded that command in the Greek language with the verb metanoeo.24 This powerful word has great significance. In this word, the prefix meta means “change.”25 The suffix relates to four important Greek terms: nous, meaning “the mind”;26gnosis, meaning “knowledge”;27pneuma, meaning “spirit”;28 and pnoe, meaning “breath.”29

Thus, when Jesus said “repent,” He asked us to change—to change our mind, knowledge, and spirit—even our breath. A prophet explained that such a change in one’s breath is to breathe with grateful acknowledgment of Him who grants each breath. King Benjamin said, “If ye should serve him who has created you … and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath … from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants.”30

Yes, the Lord has commanded us to repent, to change our ways, to come unto Him, and be more like Him.31 This requires a total change. Alma so taught his son: “Learn wisdom in thy youth,” he said. “Learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God. … Let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.”32

To repent fully is to convert completely to the Lord Jesus Christ and His holy work. Alma taught that concept when he posed these questions: “I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?”33 That change comes when we are “born again,” converted and focused upon our journey to the kingdom of God.34

MATERIALISM

The more I look at the world around me, the more I analyze the kinds of media that are propagated through television, the internet, the radio, etc., the more I realize how in love most of mankind is with the material world. It makes me sick to watch people sell their souls to make money; I often think of the way pornography, specifically hard core video pornography, continues to spread like a pandemic through the collective network we call the internet. Men whose sole purpose of spreading this disease to make money do so without any regard to the way it twists and changes the minds of those who become addicted. Perhaps they do regard what happens but have justified it due to their separation from God who teaches us through His Spirit that these things are contrary to our very nature and an enemy to the Plan of happiness and progress he has set forth to assist us in our fight to remember from where we have come and why we are here.

Indeed, perhaps instead of the old axiom "money is the root of all evil" it should say "materialism is the root of all evil." Money, after all, is used to buy or acquire various forms of material which have been organized into some form or another such as a home, car, or some sort of electronic device. In the end it's all just gross physical matter which has been organized or reformed into something. The great irony is that there is nothing essentially evil about the material world. God created this world after all. The problem, however, is that Satan, whom God has allowed to roam free with those spirits who follow him, twists the perceptions of men and tries to get us to fall down and worship the material world which, if you think about it, just another way to get you to worship him. Eventually he leads the children of men so far from the truth that begin to worship that which should be, and is, subject to us in the first place (we have dominion over the earth which means we respect and use material to bring about good works and the propagation of our race). Earlier I called this a "problem" but this is not really a problem for God, its a vital and necessary obstacle that we must overcome as imperfect beings. God ordained that things are like this. The essential "problem" is no accident, it's part of a natural, spiritual plan and the way in which God helps us discover and actualize our potential. Unlike many other Christians, as Latter-day Saints, we believe not in a heaven and hell dichotomy but rather an after life that is made up of various grades, or degrees, of glory.
From Elder Russel M. Nelson's "Scriptural Witnesses":

Paul referred to the three degrees of postmortal glory when he taught that “there is one glory of the sun, … another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars.”34 That glimpse into postmortal glory has been clarified by another scriptural witness. The Lord revealed that “the glory of the celestial is one, even as the glory of the sun is one.

“And the glory of the terrestrial is one, even as the glory of the moon is one.

“And the glory of the telestial is one, even as the glory of the stars is one.”35

The highest of these kingdoms, the celestial, is reserved for those who obey the law of that kingdom:

“They who are not sanctified through the law … of Christ, must inherit another kingdom, even that of a terrestrial kingdom, or that of a telestial kingdom.

“For he who is not able to abide the law of a celestial kingdom cannot abide a celestial glory.”36

These three degrees of glory relate to postmortal life. They relate to the immortality of the human soul. That gift of immortality became a reality because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

The "problem" of materialism is only a problem so long as one remains in darkness either out of ignorance or choice (rejecting the truth). God has given all mankind the tools and ability to know the TRUTH, to know the Lord. Those who do not shall "never such happiness know," because they will limit themselves spiritually.

I apologize if this post is a little disjointed, but my intention is not necessarily post "finished discourses" but rather short, personal entries akin to a sort of journal. I hope that this in some way sparks thought for you, my reader. I don't think I've written anything new or groundbreaking for you, but I hope the next time we have the chance to reject the sort of evil materialism of which I have spoken that we overcome the temptation to be sucked into the illusion but rather that we reject it and find a way to help others see beyond the illusion.

I took the brief overview of materialism found below from AllAboutPhilosophy.org (link to this article HERE).

Materialism - Definitions & Doctrines
Materialism can refer either to the simple preoccupation with the material world, as opposed to intellectual or spiritual concepts, or to the theory that physical matter is all there is. This theory is far more than a simple focus on material possessions. It states that everything in the universe is matter, without any true spiritual or intellectual existence. Materialism can also refer to a doctrine that material success and progress are the highest values in life. This doctrine appears to be prevalent in western society today. Materialism can also refer to the term, Cultural Materialism.

Materialism - Philosophies & Worldviews
Materialism and its theories can be traced as far back as the poem The Nature of Things, written in the first century B.C. by Lucretius. Other defining works include The System of Nature by Paul d'Holbach, Force and Matter by Ludwig Buchner, and the more recent research done by Richard Vitzthum, An Affirmative History and Definition (1996).

Materialism as a philosophy is held by those who maintain that existence is explainable solely in material terms, with no accounting of spirit or consciousness. Individuals who hold to this belief see the universe as a huge device held together by pieces of matter functioning in subjection to naturalistic laws. Since materialism denies all concepts of Special Creation, it relies on the Theory of Evolution to explain itself, making beliefs in materialism and evolution interdependent.

The first question this worldview should cause most of us to ask is, "If all that exists is matter only, where did the natural laws that govern it come from?" New scientific discoveries in the areas of biological complexity, cosmological design, quantum physics, and information theory bring these materialistic assumptions into doubt. A massive quantity of evidence demonstrates that the universe and its material aspects are connected by a network of energy, design and information. We now see much more than matter - we see the result of conscious creation.

Materialism - A Question of Belief
Materialism, at its simpler level, involves the focus on material "things" as opposed to that which is spiritual or intellectual in nature. We live in a world surrounded by and composed of matter. It is natural, therefore, that we may become distracted from spiritual or intellectual pursuits by material possessions, but this is frequently where problems occur. We can become obsessed by a desire to obtain them, or simply frustrated by the need to maintain them.

The questions this attitude should cause us to ask are, "Are material things really more important than anything else? Is material success the highest goal? If things are all there are, what's life all about? Why am I here at all? If life is really just about materialism, why should I even try to live a moral life? What does it matter how I treat others or how I live, as long as I have what I want? Why does what I believe about the origin of life matter?"

In a court of criminal law, a conviction arrived at by any jury requires proof beyond a shadow of a doubt. Current theories of materialism appear to be clouded by shadows and doubts. We needn't conclude that it is necessary to take a completely opposite view. After all, as C.S. Lewis once said, "God … likes matter. He invented it." Consider, instead, how what you choose to believe affects how you live, for as Lewis also said, "different beliefs about the universe lead to different behavior." What we believe must either be true of false. Before settling on the position you choose, you owe it to yourself to keep seeking the truth about life, death and the universe.

Quantum Physics

"Modern" science has not been around that long and, since it's foundation, has commonly been seen as the enemy to God or a "god killer" in that scientific theories such as evolution have, and continue to be seen by many, as proof that the idea or belief in God is simply a foolish tradition of our forefathers and sign of human weakness. Maybe they should take a closer look at quantum physics. I recall learning about the wave-particle duality paradox at BYU in intro to physics. At that time I was both disinterested and mystified; in recent years, however, like many others, I am enthralled by the ways in which quantum physics, especially string theory, is beginning to pose some SERIOUS questions and, in many ways, is basically tearing down the theories which we have used to understand the physical universe. For those of you not familiar with wave-particle duality, check this out:



The overall idea is that the very observation of matter somehow changes it. To the man who confronts the terrible questions, this scientific discovery gives important clues to the vital importance of the act of prayer, the idea will power and even perception itself.

Terrible No More

I remember as a child I would occasionally stare out the window at the moon, or simply into the darkness of my room at night, and ask myself, "What is this? What IS life?" As I asked these questions, I would begin to feel slightly dizzy, a sort of vertigo would overcome me, and I would get the feeling that everything I felt was "real" was some sort of illusion. Inevitably I would think of my family and of Heavenly Father; eventually I would turn over and go to sleep knowing that in the morning everything would go back to normal. Now, years later, after many, many experiences, I have come to confront that feeling that, at times, was terrible.

I don't know why some people are more compelled to really think about what "it" all means while others are content to watch hours and hours of television without giving "it" a second thought. Hugh Nibley called them the "terrible questions": Who am I? Where did I come from? Where am I going? These questions are called "terrible" because challenge everything in the world view of the man who refuses to face them with honesty and a genuine desire to find out their answers. When the end of mortal life comes to the rich man who has worshipped money his whole life, or to the man who has denied the existence of God or who denies that one can come to know the answers to these questions, these questions loom there; they cannot be ignored. I can at least respect the person who says, "There is no God. I answered these questions for myself." I cannot fathom these conclusion and, of course, I vehemently disagree, but at least that man has confronted the question. I hold fast to the belief that a "true atheist" does not exist because every one worships something as their "god" whether it be money, an ideology, a hope, a fear, or any number of thought constructs. The answer, as some say, is always there, in plain sight. Indeed, I believe that most of what we learn is not actually new information, it is something REMEMBERED. The test, you might say, is who of God's children has enough will power to remember? How much have you fallen for the illusion of this world? Will you turn your back in it or wallow in it like a pig stuck in the mire?

I often think about what makes some people more apt than other to "really think" and I have my ideas about why and a lot of it has to do with who they really are and what they did before they came here, but that answer doesn't really make a lot of sense to most of the people that fall into the latter category because it assumes some knowledge about who we are and where we came from!

It is my intention that this little blog be something on the side for me, not something to showcase or send out mass emails. If you stop by and check it out and decide to read and comment, that's all the better. I suppose I plan on setting it apart for those individuals who like to "really think." I don't promise to share hidden knowledge or mind blowing ideas, indeed most of the "deepest thoughts" or personal revelations I hold dear to my heart for not everything God gives a man is to be shared. I do, however, think that it's both thought provoking and healthy to share ideas so that we can learn together and be edified and instructed. Although the most edifying and instructive places are not blogs but rather houses of worship, temples, and our own homes, there is nothing wrong in my view of using modern technology to share ideas and the most important ideas are not political or news stories but rather the stories and ideas of our own individual lives.

I'll be right up front about two things: first, I am a Christian, I believe in Christ; secondly, I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There are many who would point out that those two statements are contradictory. I beg to differ. I love all people, including those who would challenge my Christian beliefs, and I hope that people will judge me by the fruits of my labors and the content of my character. All that being said, this blog is obviously not affiliated with the LDS church in any way other than that I am member of the said church in good standing. Indeed, it's not my desire to make this out to be an "LDS" blog, but rather a repository for some of my own personal thoughts and items, from any source, that I find of value and that contain truth or some portion of truth. I intend to "drop off" news stories, scientific theories, excerpts from books, movies, articles, other blogs, music lyrics, etc. that stimulate or pique my interest as I think about those "terrible questions."