A World’s Essence

The growth of our knowledge has led to a slow disintegration of our notion of time. What we have been left with is an empty, windswept landscape almost devoid of all trace of temporality. A strange, alien world that is nevertheless still the one to which we belong. It is like arriving in the high mountains, where there is nothing but snow, rocks and sky. A world stripped to its essence, glittering with an arid and troubling beauty. The physics on which I work — quantum gravity — is an attempt to understand and lend coherent meaning to this extreme and beautiful landscape.

To the world without time.

Dear Photograph,

This was taken 12 years ago when I was 6. I still remember going up the hills with my grandma and coming down to sit down at the cabin. She always gave me candies, played with me, and treated me dearly. My grandma was my best friend. Our conversations consisted of gossips of relatives, life stories, advices full of wisdom, and eyesight problems. I mostly listened to her talk, and it never bore me. Last year, she passed away. It was hard to believe that she was gone. It still is.. But she will always be in my heart and memories. Love you Grandma -Ochko

Dear Photograph,

The roles have reversed but you’re still the best woman in my life.

Love, Pav

Dear Photograph,

Thank you for showing us all how to love for the long haul.

Love, John

A year into the pandemic, it’s easy to find yourself reminiscing about the past: bustling restaurants, sweaty spin classes, grocery shopping unburdened by face masks and cascades of adrenaline. You may even miss things you never thought you would, like your annoying co-workers or your long commute.

Yes, this is the definition of “taking things for granted” — so perhaps it’s not surprising that we’re all suddenly appreciating what’s no longer available. But it’s also evidence of a cognitive tendency we share to selectively remember the past as better than it was, especially when the present doesn’t feel so good.

As we look back on “the good old days,” we need to ask ourselves: Was the past actually as great as we remember it? And what can we learn from all these walks down memory lane?