In the epic tale of Star Wars we were introduced to a then crazy idea of “the force”. Obi-Wan Kenobi’s famous words to Luke Skywalker during his training: “The force is an energy field created by all living things, it surrounds us, it penetrates us, it binds the galaxy together.”
I recall watching this episode in my teens. At the time I was living an indoctrinated catholic life. By that age, I was a typical christian know-it-all who discounted everything fairytale (outside of the bible) to be nonsense. This concept, however gave me pause. I remember thinking how the idea that we are all connected somehow made more logical sense to me than thinking that the christian god had his hands in everyone’s business.
Perhaps Obi-Wan was a bit hasty in calling it an energy field. Cutting edge science offers a view of the universe not unlike the “force”. The theory of the big bang and our expanding universe has lead scientists to conclude that everything was once contained in a space smaller then and atom. From this infinitely small pre-universe glob there came the big bang, creating space, time and matter. From this perspective alone, we can imagine that all the matter that composes our bodies, brains and the world around us was once infinitely close together. Hydrogen and Helium, the major building blocks of our universe are what composes our bodies and our planet: we are literally made from star dust.
The particles that compose everything in and around us has a past, dating all the way back to the big bang. Quantum entanglement theory suggests a mechanical phenomenon in which the quantum states of two or more objects are linked together so that one object can no longer be adequately described without full mention of its counterpart — even though the individual objects may be spatially separated. Quantum entanglement is very difficult for humans to conceptually understand as it is thought to operate on dimensions above the 3rd dimension. Today, scientist do not understand how two particles that have been entangled and physically separated change simultaneously when one or the other changes.
Dr. Quantum gives a better visual of how this works:
It is difficult to understand how dimensions above our perceived world operate. It is easier however to imagine a world that instead of being 3D as 2D:
Particles on the quantum level actually follow a different set of laws than ‘large’ objects. This is where Quantum Mechanics comes into play. Notable amongst these principles are both a dual wave-like and particle-like behavior of matter and radiation, and prediction of probabilities in situations where classical physics predicts certainties. Let’s watch another video explaining these peculiar laws:
Maybe Yoda had a grasp on the quantum interconnection of all things when he said:
Life creates it, makes it grow. It’s energy surrounds us and binds us. Luminous beings are we…(Yoda pinches Luke’s shoulder)…not this crude matter. (a sweeping gesture) You must feel the Force around you. (gesturing) Here, between you…me…the tree…the rock…everywhere! Yes, even between this land and that ship!
I think the logical concept of a ‘force’ makes sense from a scientific perspective. When considering quantum mechanics, string theory, the big bang and how all these sciences suggest a connection of all things on at least a materialistic and perhaps dimensional plane, it is certainly intriguing. I am in no way suggesting that anyone worship the ‘force’ or assume that I am making the case for a ‘force’ based religion. I simply find it fascinating that science fiction, even crazy ideas like the ‘force’ may eventually become science fact.
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