The Essence of an Atom

WHY EXERT TO PROBE
THE ESSENCE OF GOD?
WHY STRAIN THYSELF BY
STRETCHING THY LIMITATIONS?
WHEN THOU CANST NOT CATCH
EVEN THE ESSENCE OF AN ATOM,
HOW CANST THOU CLAIM TO KNOW
THE ESSENCE OF GOD HIMSELF?

~ Farid Ud-din Attar

Of Note: It is a surprise that Mr. Attar who lived in the 12th century would be talking about atoms. He obviously knew something. Could be that this mystic was tuned into the tenets of ageless wisdom, which teaches about atoms, electricity and universal laws only "discovered" in the 20th century. As a matter of fact, in the early 1900's the Masters of Wisdom predicted the rise of nuclear energy as part of the liberation of humanity from work. Thus, it has been troubling that the initial missteps in the production of nuclear energy has translated into a freeze on the future growth of this divinely inspired creation that gets very close to the essence of Life itself. That may be changing. Bill Gates and Nathan Myrhvold, a former Microsoft employee, billionaire and polymath, have teamed up to create a traveling wave reactor. This device measuring 10 by 13 feet produces nuclear energy through an untried but promising method and uses spent fuel from its larger counterparts. What's more, it would run for decades without human intervention and could be buried underground. The duo is ready for the next step, building a version of the reactor, but must first find a utility company customer and country to host the device. Some environmentalists are up in arms about the dangers of nuclear plants of any type. Mr. Myrhvold responded that he "hopes the process will speed up and spark innovation to meet the world's growing energy demands. Let's try 20 ideas. Maybe five of them will work. That's the only way to invent ourselves out of the pickle we are in." The Gates--Myrhvold team might not succeed at first, but my bet is on their combined brain power, influence and money. The Masters send their emissaries to help mankind at times of need. Who knows if these two haven't been sent as well.

Today's Weather Report: Another 20 degree day here in the northwoods. The sun was shining brightly so made it feel warmer than it actually was. Everyone was enjoying themselves in town especially at the car wash where I finally cleaned the accumulated salt and road grime from the Jeep's exterior. Now the vehicle sparkles again. Not that the result will be long-lasting but at least for the moment the paint gets a reprieve from the salt attack.