M.J. Rose

No one understands it, but quantum weirdness may in fact explain the un-explainable?

From Mother Nature Network,

Parallel worlds exist and interact with our world, say physicists
New theory explains many of the bizarre observations made in quantum mechanics.
Bryan Nelson

“Quantum mechanics, though firmly tested, is so weird and anti-intuitive that famed physicist Richard Feynman once remarked, “I think I can safely say that nobody understands quantum mechanics.” Attempts to explain some of the bizarre consequences of quantum theory have led to some mind-bending ideas, such as the Copenhagen interpretation and the many-worlds interpretation.

Now there’s a new theory on the block, called the “many interacting worlds” hypothesis (MIW), and the idea is just as profound as it sounds. The theory suggests not only that parallel worlds exist, but that they interact with our world on the quantum level and are thus detectable. Though still speculative, the theory may help to finally explain some of the bizarre consequences inherent in quantum mechanics, reports RT.com.

The theory is a spinoff of the many-worlds interpretation in quantum mechanics — an idea that posits that all possible alternative histories and futures are real, each representing an actual, though parallel, world. One problem with the many-worlds interpretation, however, has been that it is fundamentally untestable, since observations can only be made in our world. Happenings in these proposed “parallel” worlds can thus only be imagined…”

For the rest, and a video “The True Science of Parallel Universes,” click here.

It was merely an experiment (one car, one station) but it lead to a future of subway transport.

Wouldn’t it be fantastic to find one of these old cars or the line itself somehow intact? Imagine a story about the Pneumatic Transit existing in a time warp right beneath our feet, complete with busy travelers from 1870… (and were there really fragile lamps balanced on little tables inside the cars?!)

Interior of the car – from “Illustrated Description of the Broadway Pneumatic Railway”

The Broadway Pneumatic Underground Railway – View of car in motion.

The Beach Pneumatic Transit

“The Interborough Rapid Transit subway, which broke ground in 1900 after many years of political maneuvering, was not the first attempt at transit tunneling in New York City. Several other groups attempted to build tunnel lines with varying degrees of success.

Probably the most well known of these early attempts, at least in terms of subway lore, was an 1870 demonstration line, the Beach Pneumatic Transit. Alfred Ely Beach, inventor and editor of Scientific American, had designed a pneumatic (air-driven) system which he demonstrated at the American Institute Fair in 1867, and he thought it viable for transit operation in underground tunnels. He applied for a permit from the Tammany Hall city government, and after being denied, decided to build the line in secrecy, in an attempt to show that subterranean transit was practical. (He actually did receive a permit to built a pneumatic package delivery system, originally of two small tunnels from Warren St. to Cedar St., later amended to be one large tunnel, to “simplify construction” of what he really intended to build.)

The Beach tunnel was constructed in only 58 days, starting under Warren Street and Broadway, directly across from City Hall. The station was under the south sidewalk of Warren Street just west of the Broadway corner. The single track tunnel ran east into Broadway, curved south, and ran down the middle of Broadway to Murray Street, a distance of one block, about 300 feet in all. The subway opened to the public on February 26, 1870.

Operated as a demonstration from 1870 to 1873, the short tunnel had only the one station and train car. While frequently mentioned as an important early development in New York City’s transit history, it was merely a curiosity. It is unclear that such a system could have been practical on a large scale. Smaller tube systems are used in buildings for mail delivery, but a rail-car sized system has never been developed. The perfection of electric multiple-unit traction and electric locomotives came about so quickly after this experiment that it wasn’t deemed worthwhile to even try an expanded pneumatic system…”

For the rest, click here to go to nycsubway.org.

There is something incredibly thought-provoking about this work…

“By using relatable items, Dyck explores the relationship between the natural world and humanity; the shared dependency we have with different species that as humans we’re essentially at the mercy of.”

From The Creator’s Project,

Artist Fixes Damaged Objects By Placing Them in Beehives
by Anna Marks

“These honeycomb encrusted sculptures look like they’re 3D printed or shaped by a sculptor’s hands but all have been built by nature’s most efficient designers: bees. Canadian artist Aganetha Dyck is the woman behind these wax-covered objects with over 20 years experience working with beekeepers, scientists, and hundreds of bee collaborators.

Dyck’s work reflects the evolution of design today, where due to advancements in technology we can manipulate nature as an effective tool to produce elaborate artwork. Dyck has an inherent interest in collectibles and memorabilia and her personal work mirrors this fascination. Her honeycomb covered collection exhibits a range of items including Edwardian figurines, helmets, shoes and sports equipment that look as though they ought to be sitting within an old curiosity shop.

Dyck tells The Creators Project, “Throughout my life I’ve had an interest in figurines and collectibles. I wondered about dust and dusting of figurines and of the glass cabinets containing these untouchable treasures. These collectibles were beyond my reach as a child and adult alike.” But Dyck’s object choices are also political. “Choosing sports equipment is a reaction to the press discussing the importance of sports and their related public funding vs artists and cultural workers and their public funding.” By using relatable items, Dyck explores the relationship between the natural world and humanity; the shared dependency we have with different species that as humans we’re essentially at the mercy of. Her sculptures are visual representations of this dependent communication…”

Click here for the amazing photos.