Origamy by Rachel Armstrong

Author:Rachel Armstrong [Armstrong, Rachel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: NewCon Press
Published: 2018-04-03T07:00:00+00:00

Learning

According to the laws of material pragmatism, I cannot feel put-upon, so I’ve decided to make the best of these younglings’ company.

We’re sitting on the floor in a semicircle, lotus style. Cousin (139, 788, 512) Franklin stacks herself on my lap without seeking my permission. She offers no apology either. Her big black eyes and perfect skin, which is likely to take on many bronze hues before it decides which spread of pigmentation is most appropriate for her, are courtesy enough.

Cousin (277, 375, 909) Ackermann starts lessons every day after reading D.H. Lawrence’s poem ‘Self Pity’ as an obligatory hymnal to a sea of little bird’s eyes that simply have not lived long enough to grasp its bleak gravity.

Today we’re considering the nature of spacetime, which informs the logic of our art, technology and culture.

“Spacetime is not the same as the popular idea of ‘space’ and ‘time’. It’s a hyperdimensional object, or geometry, that entangles classical notions of space and time.”

The younglings accept this statement at face value while my thoughts are racing with exceptions, such as time twists and dark matter malignancies, but I say nothing. I want to hear how the story unfolds.

“Let’s consider reality not as a three dimensional space that evolves in time – but as a multidimensional space that exists in its entirety as a living object that makes up all spacetime events, everywhere, at all times in the life of the universe. Let’s call this theoretical structure – a hyperbody. Now, let’s think about what navigating a body like this means for classical physics. It means that the co-ordinates we occupy can only ever exist in one plane. However, when we think about our position within a highly convoluted and dynamic hyperbody, we have access to places that are just impossible to reach when time and space are treated in the conventional, linear way. Instead of creeping along the floor of space one step at a time, we’re taking a whirlwind fairground ride through its incredibly agile guts!”

This is sucking eggs. I’m trying hard not to feel patronised and sorry for myself. But it’s hard.

“But let’s just find out for ourselves how novel and exciting this spacetime concept is in our understanding of reality – and what is at stake.”

Ackermann is keen to demonstrate. He invites several younglings to stand up, which they’re more than keen to do. They’ve been poking at each other since the lesson began, trying to get one another’s attention. Then he shuffles them by their shoulders into a starting position.

“Suppose two bodies are moving around each other. Let’s pretend that they can also see each other in some way.”

He gently pushes a couple of younglings so that they’re circling each other in opposite directions. Cousin (287,307, 911) Lovelace sticks out their tongue at cousin (850,264,582) Feynman, who is looking incredibly intense, and everyone giggles. I roll my eyes and remember not to feel sorry for myself.

“Where are you (287,307,911)?”

The youngling stops.

“Um, I’m in front of (850,264,582).”

“No, you’re not! You’re behind me, slowcoach! Keep up.

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