O'Conner Sycamore

CERES TRAVELER: CHAPTER 2

— March 24, 2218 —

After my last entry, I had to wait for three days to continue, though you won’t realize this while reading, as the concept of time is still an issue. This time, what held me back was a solar storm. Ceres’ core has solidified, which means it lacks a magnetic field. As a result, we can only apply a magnetic shield to a limited area here using various devices brought from Earth. One of the problems this creates is that during intense solar storms, when the magnetic field isn’t strong enough, radiation levels rise. A program that monitors solar activity can predict these storms in advance. Since I rely on this system, it alerts me to take shelter in an underground emergency area fortified with heavy shielding during these high radiation threat periods. I had to spend the past two days in this shelter. Right now, radiation levels have returned to normal, and I’ve resumed my daily life. During this time, I also created several drafts for the story I will write. If no other excuses arise, I will continue to write about the events more quickly.

I notice that I mentioned my new course of action last time. Experimentally proving my theory led me to decide to establish my own laboratory. At the time, this was an endeavor beyond one person’s means, and money worked quite differently than it does now. Even if I were to use all the money I had earned up to that age, I can say that I wouldn’t even obtain a quarter of what was needed for all that experimental equipment. This pursuit deeply affected me back then. First, I envisioned a system where the laboratories I had previously worked at could become supporting laboratories for this endeavor. However, this approach would both slow me down and take away my luxury of using the laboratory as I saw fit. Later, I had lengthy email exchanges with Dr. Shaun from the Max Planck Institute on this topic, and with his support, we concluded that finding funding solely based on scientific merits was nearly impossible. In those days, conducting scientific research was truly challenging.

Subsequently, for about six months, I explored ways to earn a high income during which time I was torn between abandoning my identity as a scientist and establishing my own production facility or purchasing land and prospecting for oil. In the end, I decided to establish an analytical laboratory and take on paid work from the outside. Of course, this was not a job that would bring in huge sums of money, but that wasn’t my goal at that point. To bring this idea to life, in early 2029, I found the idea of renting a hangar in Santa Fe, New Mexico, appealing. This aircraft hangar had a unique architecture for an analytical laboratory, and I reserved an interior area for laboratory use through various modifications. By this time, the idea of setting up my own laboratory was quite appealing. While you may consider this to be somewhat dictatorial, it didn’t deter me from doing what I believed needed to be done. In March 2029, the rough work in the hangar was completed, and I continued to work on my goal. During this process, I created several job postings on various scientific research portals to build a team. I particularly wanted to reach individuals who had just graduated and were filled with curiosity. In a month’s time, I received around forty applications from all corners of the world. In the initial selection, I narrowed it down to ten. I continued to communicate via email with the remaining thirty or so candidates for more detailed interviews. While teleconferencing and video communication capabilities had advanced significantly by that time, speaking with people through a phone or another electronic device remained challenging for me. This situation may have slowed me down, but some things couldn’t be prevented, and these were often things that emerged from my inner world, which I found quite frustrating. I must confess that I have often sabotaged things due to my own issues, and I still do.

To start, I needed to hire twelve people to work in the laboratory. Selecting this large group proved to be quite challenging for me. It was difficult to discern a dominant advantage in individuals who applied for such a position. To solve this, I decided to conduct a live interview with my own set of questions, which, while seeming somewhat crazy to most, were highly discriminating for me. For example, questions like, “If time travel were possible, what date would you visit first?” were among them. I invited ten of these individuals to Santa Fe to work in the laboratory. Three were from Asia, four from Africa, and two from Europe, based on the applications I had received. At that time, everything seemed to require a high level of energy, so I documented all of these statistics for analysis. I keep many data sets like this in an archive room in my earthly abode, even though I doubt I’ll ever access them again. Knowing that they’re there gives me peace of mind.

The life support system seems to have entered debugging mode, so I need to attend to it urgently. I’ll try to continue my narrative as soon as possible (no longer saying “tomorrow”!). Until then, take care of yourselves.

Journey to the Half-Life Universe: Part One

In today’s article, I present the first part of a new series that I plan as a review series. In this series, we will visit various film and game universes with remarkable atmospheres, and we will have the opportunity to take a closer look. In other words, it can also be considered as an introduction and recommendation. The most significant difference that separates video games from movies, in my opinion, is the ability to interact with that world. In recent years, we have also seen examples from platforms like Netflix that allow viewers to influence the flow of the movie. Black Mirror: Bandersnatch is a good example of this.

I have always considered video games as a significant cultural enrichment for the generation of the 1980s and beyond. Before that, previous generations generally kept their distance from video games due to their inability to adapt to new technologies, as we all know. Years from now, when people start living in virtual reality, we will probably experience the same situation, but I see that being aware of this situation makes people more open to innovations.

Like many other processes, video games have evolved through various stages to reach their current forms. The adventure, which began with two paddles trying to hit a ball back and forth on a black screen – known as Pong – has now gained incredible detail and realism. With hundreds of different subgenres, it is possible to find a video game that almost everyone can enjoy and play today. In the 1980s, video games were generally seen as a passing fad, and it was believed that people would quickly abandon them. Against the view that people of that time would not understand, the video game industry is now standing tall with all its might. It would not be wrong to say that the industry’s growing profit margin with each passing year makes it unlikely to be easily toppled. We are talking about a world that has become esports and allows people to consider a career in this sector.

In this regard, the first universe that comes to my mind as a starting point is, of course, the Half-Life Universe. If you pay attention to the site’s logo, you will already encounter an “Easter Egg” as soon as you enter; Half-Life has actually been here from the beginning!

Developed by Valve, one of Microsoft’s developers, Half-Life was released in 1997 as Valve’s first game and hit the market in 1998. It’s worth mentioning that Valve is the owner of the Steam platform, which is now used by almost everyone. The series brought significant improvements compared to similar games developed at that time and brought about a permanent change to the first-person shooter (FPS) genre. While the FPS genre was primarily about shooting and progressing at the time, Half-Life added an element of thinking to it. Thus, the game directs you to think more and makes you more suitable to get immersed in the atmosphere. To add this feature, it was necessary to develop a wide universe, background story, and plot. The genre that was once all about shooting without knowing what was going on suddenly became like this, and Half-Life created a big sensation. Valve, which was still relatively unknown at the time, struggled a lot to find a publishing company for Half-Life and eventually managed to release it by signing a deal with Sierra Entertainment. After its release, it won more than fifty awards.

Following this success, work began on the sequel games, and by 2001, three parallel games with different storylines were released. Another unique feature that makes the Half-Life universe special is its ability to tell the same story from different characters’ perspectives. This method added depth to the story. In 2003, while the release of the series’ second game was expected, it was delayed due to the theft and leakage of the source code and was eventually released in 2004 after being overhauled. The second game in the series also introduced a new physics engine known as the Source Engine, which once again revolutionized the gaming world. The series continued with sequel games released in 2006 and 2007, and in 2007, the Portal game was also added to the series, further solidifying its legendary status. The last game in the Portal series was released in 2013, marking the beginning of a period of silence for the series. Finally, in 2020, the virtual reality-exclusive “Half-Life: Alyx” was released, once again proving its worth to gamers.

Speaking of the story, its roots are based on Stephen King’s novel “The Mist.” It can be said that another pillar of its success comes from here. Of course, we must also mention that these foundations have been wonderfully continued by the developers. The series begins with the character Gordon Freeman, a 27-year-old theoretical physicist. The whole story starts when Gordon is admitted to the “Black Mesa Research Facility,” a scientific research facility, and on his first day of work, he arrives at the facility to participate in an experiment to examine a crystal sample brought from the Xen planet in the anti-mass spectrometer. The crystal’s high purity and excessive radiation make the analysis difficult. To analyze the crystal, it is necessary to operate the system at a power level of 105%. After wearing his special protective suit known as HEV, Gordon sets off towards the anti-mass spectrometer. All events take on a unique quality from this point on, and I believe this brief preliminary information is sufficient to avoid giving too many spoilers. Throughout the series, there are numerous references to physics, and perhaps you can notice a new detail the tenth time you play.

As I come to the end of another article, I would like to mention that we will continue to explore the Half-Life universe in upcoming articles. Until my next article, goodbye!

We are reading King ep1/Green Miles

Book Review: “The Green Mile”

Stephen King’s novel, “The Green Mile,” stands out as a masterpiece that delves into literary depths beyond his usual association with horror and suspense. It captivates readers with its literary value and profound exploration of human nature.

Plot and Themes

“The Green Mile” unfolds in a 1930s American prison known as “The Green Mile,” where death row inmates await their fate. Paul Edgecomb, the main character, is a guard at this prison.

Paul’s life takes a dramatic turn when he encounters John Coffey, a new inmate with extraordinary abilities. Despite his intimidating appearance, John possesses the power to heal, even those who are sentenced to death. The novel showcases John Coffey’s exceptional abilities and the impact he makes in an unjust world.

“The Green Mile” explores several pivotal themes:

Justice and Injustice: The novel emphasizes the fragility and flaws of the justice system as it reevaluates the crimes of inmates on death row. Stephen King encourages readers to contemplate the intricacies of justice and the possibility of wrongful convictions.
Goodness and Empathy: John Coffey’s healing gift prompts profound reflection on goodness and empathy. The novel challenges readers to ponder how acts of kindness and compassion can transcend adversity.
Human Nature: The book delves into the complexity of human nature, raising questions about why individuals commit heinous acts and how they grapple with their own inner demons.
Death and Hope: “The Green Mile” navigates the theme of death while also exploring the sustaining power of hope. Inmates facing execution find ways to hold onto hope, even in the face of despair.

Character Development and Compelling Narrative

The characters in the novel establish deep connections with readers. The development of characters like John Coffey and Paul Edgecomb elevates the book from a mere story to an introspective journey into their inner worlds.

The emotional weight of the narrative is heightened by Stephen King’s masterful storytelling. His prose invites readers to forge a profound emotional connection with the characters.

Conclusion

“The Green Mile” is an unforgettable work by Stephen King that ventures beyond the boundaries of the horror genre. It delves into universal themes of justice, goodness, human nature, and injustice. The book’s character development, engaging narrative, and profound themes leave a lasting impact. It is highly recommended for anyone interested in contemplating the power of justice and kindness.

The unlovable monster “physics.” : EP1

Physics, our most powerful tool for comprehending the functioning of the universe, is inexplicably labeled as a monster according to my observations. I have witnessed how people shape their lives as far away from physics as possible worldwide. While this situation may seem tragicomic, it deeply saddens me. I believe this is why I constantly question the causes that create this situation. Through my inquiries and brainstorming sessions, I have arrived at several plausible conclusions. Therefore, I felt the need to put this into writing. Now, I am sharing my observations from the perspective of a physicist/applied physicist with you.

Although people’s introduction to physics dates back to a very early age, we can say that the first encounter in a rational manner occurs at birth. If we go a little further, we begin to feel physics in the womb after a certain number of weeks. Throughout your presence in the universe, your self becomes a part of physics, and even if you were to pass away, we cannot say that your existence has physically departed from the cosmos. From this perspective, physics becomes inevitable. So, I believe it is clear that taking an opposing stance does not make sense. For those who want to lead a pleasant life, being at peace with physics is essential, I can say that. Otherwise, it leads to a situation where we become our own enemies. But how do we become so immersed in physics? Let’s consider it with simple examples.

First and foremost, all biological and chemical processes in our bodies occur as a result of the laws of physics. It would not be wrong to say that humans are organic-element-based machines. Just as robots become complex systems where various components come together and work, machines based on electronic and mechanical systems, often composed of silicon, germanium, and metallic elements, also result from the consequences of physical laws. In this sense, it is clear that all natural sciences are based on the application of the rules of physics. This is another indicator of how much physics is within us.

Now, let’s continue with a more specific example. You are lying in bed in the morning, asleep, and you wake up to the sound of the alarm. For the alarm sound to reach your ears, vibrations transmit air pressure differences in the form of waves to your ears. This pressure fluctuation is transmitted to your eardrum, which is a piezoelectric material located in your ear. Piezoelectric materials are special materials that convert pressure differences applied to them into electrical signals. Our eardrum with this feature transmits this pressure difference to our brain as an electrical signal. The transmission path is our nervous system, which works just like conductive cables and logic gates, delivering the signal to the processing center. The brain, which processes data like a computer, quickly comprehends this alarm sound. During this process, we wake up from sleep, feeling groggy. We fill our lungs with air, which, again, opens our lungs as a result of the laws of fluid mechanics. The eyes that open during this process allow us to see our surroundings as a result of optics. Almost all of these events that will happen in less than three seconds contain the laws of physics. Now, if you generalize this for one day, you will better understand what I mean. A week, a month, a year, and a lifetime beyond that!

After these simple examples I have provided to explain why we cannot escape from physics, now the next question I ask is this: No one has a feeling of running away from physics, so when does this escape feeling arise? For almost every person, the starting point for learning about physics – which I can easily say based on my own experiences – is the period after our birth when we start experimenting through trial and error. While we progress in learning physics in this sweet experimental approach from birth to about school age, no child is disinterested in this subject. It can be said that we have a lot of knowledge about the functioning of the universe during this period, which is perhaps the most curious period for us.

Everything is going well up to this point. Unfortunately, there is an end to this as well. When we reach the age of five or six, we start to learn physics more theoretically rather than through experimental observations. We can say that this result is a bit of necessity and a bit of arbitrariness, but arbitrariness predominates. Because school lessons are generally based on intensive theoretical teaching. The point where we begin to turn physics into a monster can be said to be this point.

I have reached the end of this part of my writing, and I would be happy to inform you that there will be more to come in the future. Stay tuned for more about physics, and take care with love!

CERES TRAVELER: CHAPTER 1

— March 21, 2218 —

On a warm and breezy March evening, I decided to put this adventure into writing. Despite having access to all kinds of technological marvels, I’ve always held a special place for the enchantment of primitive technology. That’s why I’ve been waiting for a week to get my hands on a restored typewriter from 1922, a relic from the past. Even though one might accomplish great feats, as you age, it takes more effort to figure out something you’ve never used before. I spent the last two days learning how to use this vintage typewriter, which is new to me but ancient in terms of history. I hope that this 200-year-old veteran won’t fail me halfway through. I’d rather not entertain the thought that I might be the one to give up on it. If someday this writing falls into someone else’s hands and they wish to publish it, others besides me will have experienced these events firsthand. I am now too old and isolated from the world to go to someone and say, “Publish this.” When we’re young and eagerly await the future, we often hear our elders talk about how they miss the past, but I couldn’t grasp it until now. Some things can only be truly understood through experience. Especially when you’ve aged as much as I have, the situation becomes even more dire. Since I decided to live in isolation from the world, I haven’t seen another human being (I’ve heard that various new species have been created, and it’s hard to tell which ones are considered “normal” humans in this uncertain age). Hopefully, my satisfaction with this situation won’t upset you. Before I delve into the narrative, I must admit that addressing a living organism, no matter how advanced, feels vastly different from addressing artificial entities. If we trace everything back to its origins, what has transpired here is a scientific phenomenon dating back long before my time. It’s a continuation of our evolving understanding of the universe, starting with the emergence of quantum physics in the early 1900’s and later joined by the theory of relativity. After completing my undergraduate studies in experimental physics, I applied to the Max Planck Institute and was accepted. My life took a completely different turn in the spring of 2021. The flight from Albuquerque, United States, to Munich was the longest I had ever taken, and it felt like it would never end. I stayed in the institute’s guesthouse in Munich for about three months, which was quite comfortable. During this time, using public transportation actively saved me a lot of time, so on days filled with extensive research, I would often choose to stay overnight at the institute. My dedication seemed to have an impact, as Dr. Shaun Calhoun, the Director of Experimental Physics, invited me to join the experimental research team working on M Theory, which focused on the nature of spacetime and interactions between dimensions. Until then, I had struggled to decide in which field of physics I would specialize, but Dr. Shaun’s invitation essentially determined my area of expertise. Experimental physics involved testing the predictions of theoretical physics, and at the time, this field didn’t seem particularly appealing to my imagination. However, I would gradually learn what lay beyond our perception in this seemingly unexciting domain. With Dr. Shaun and his team, I worked for four years to lay the experimental groundwork for M Theory. The team consisted of sixteen members. In those years, the idea that a single physicist could open up new horizons had become a relic of the 1900’s. Now, it was clear that exploring new frontiers required large teams. Despite this shift in the scientific landscape, I continued to resist the idea. After four years of hard work, we completed the experimental infrastructure needed to test M Theory, and in the first quarter of 2025, we received permission from the Institute to conduct the experiment. The experiment relied on high-energy collisions of subatomic particles (on the order of gigaelectronvolts) bombarding helium nuclei. While leading scientific centers of the time warned against it, suggesting that such an event could create a singularity and potentially destroy the entire solar system (similar to the concerns raised years ago with the Large Hadron Collider), these recommendations didn’t go beyond causing a minor delay in our plans. In March, the analysis of the data collected revealed that we were present in only one of the intertwined temporal dimensions, extending beyond our known dimensions. Among the results was the revelation that the universe had dimensions beyond those we knew, with at least one of them potentially being another temporal dimension. This was considered a second leap in physics after the post-quantum era, and during these years, physicists proposed numerous new theories. If my memory serves me right, around the beginning of the summer of 2025, Dr. Shaun’s team decided to split into four subgroups for more detailed research. While Dr. Shaun tried to persuade me to lead one of these subgroups, I declined, ultimately bidding farewell to the Institute that fall. Leaving behind such an opportunity might seem foolish to most, but Munich had overwhelmed me. I had never claimed to have a sound mind in the first place. My return to New Mexico became possible through an application I made to New Mexico State University. I taught courses in various physics departments during this time, which proved valuable for the critical gap process I needed to undertake. I spent about two years researching, building upon the M Theory data I had obtained firsthand. If I can live alone on Ceres today, it’s because of those days. In April 2028, I concluded my research and completed the temporal and spatial theory that defined who I am. Although I had completed it at the time, I chose not to publish it. I was hesitant to put forth an empty theory and potentially provoke unnecessary reactions from people. I believed that publishing it would only be possible in an environment where it was supported by experimental data. Deciding that I should chart a new course, I abandoned this opportunity while it was still available. I believe I’ve provided enough detail about the beginning, and my joints are sounding alarms for me to stop. The surveillance AI may turn off the lights to halt me. If I wake up to a new day tomorrow, I’ll continue from where I left off.

Let no traveler of Ceres remain! – Can a place be timeless?

Creating a place in slow-motion time might sound strange, but it’s a physically possible phenomenon. However, the meaning I’m conveying here is a bit more abstract and touches on the literary aspect. If I have the chance, in my future writings, I would also like to discuss the physical reality of this matter. For now, our concern is the literary aspect.

The timelessness here involves detaching from the current reality and opening a gateway to another universe. For instance, even though we might be physically on the bed reading a book, the moment we immerse ourselves in the story, we transition to another reality. Events in the book can span days, weeks, months, or even years, while our personal reality remains confined to the passing minutes or hours on the bed. In my own definition, this phenomenon is the creation of a “timeless space.” While it might be possible to experience this through cinema, theater, video games, or even while solving puzzles, the enchantment of a book is always unique. I can attest from my past experiences that many people concur on this matter.

From a broader perspective, one could say that my aim is to showcase how the world appears through my eyes. I’ve always believed that different viewpoints expand one’s horizons. If we can expand our world by sharing perspectives with thinking and questioning individuals, who knows, someday we might even come together with these valued readers to form a community!

“Good books don’t give up all their secrets at once.”

-Stephen King

After this somewhat “serious” narrative, I believe I’ve managed to convey the purpose behind my blog writing. Although I haven’t explicitly mentioned it, I think you’ve started to grasp it. Yes, you guessed right! The intention behind what I’m trying to do here is to create a “timeless space,” both for myself and for those who may find it worth reading. Of course, I don’t presume that I can captivate you as much as a Stephen King novel might, but my aim is to produce a variety of content that you could encounter in real life and that might be useful to you. Among these, I plan to include guides for those tired of loneliness, beautiful songs to listen to, films, video games, books, and places to visit. If I can provide you with a little “timeless space,” then I would be delighted.

In our journey through this “timeless space,” I want to take you to Ceres (our relatively less famous dwarf planet in the main asteroid belt, it never became as famous as Pluto, I’m sorry to say.) I have no idea how long the journey will take, and you’re welcome to join at any point during the journey. If you get bored, feel free to leave whenever you want. (Unprecedented service.)