I’ve been digesting a delicious article from yesterday’s Sydney Morning Herald, called “Take a Tip from your Tongue,” for the last few minutes and like Marcel Proust‘s madeleine I find myself lost in a dreamy remembrance of a time when perfection was the norm and not the exception. Was there such a time? A time before we were filled with mistaken assumptions, erroneous concepts and false ideas caused by mistranslation, misinterpretation and disconnection from the source of wisdom?
I’ve heard intriguing stories of a Golden Era, an antediluvian era whose technology and lifestyle far exceeded that of our modern age, a time that my scientific mind finds difficult to imagine let alone justify given the cosmology so dominant in our time. That said, I can’t help but imagine the possibility of such a time, in the past or perchance, in the future.
If there is one thing I’ve appreciated about pure science it is the ability to ask the “what ifs,” the hypotheses based on observation that are tested with reason and proven to be true or false. True science is neither blind nor prejudiced, yet I wonder how much of what passes for science today is based on faulty premise, or, as this morning’s article on taste demonstrates, on poor translation?
Having been a translator earlier in life I know how hard it is to render a faithful translation. Catching the literal meaning as well as the more deceptive figurative implications demands an uncommon sensitivity and experience. When I think, for instance, about the numerous translations of the written historical spiritual records upon which so many in our world today base their lives or the many scientific notions that come from texts written in languages no longer in use I must admit I get a bit nervous.
There appear to be zealots in both camps – the scientific as well as the religious – and while I love to be in the company of people who are passionate about what they do, zealousness, rigid closed-mindedness and crystallized opinions are always counter-productive for humanity. The important thing to remember is that, as Dr. Cal Lightman stated in “Lie to Me” yesterday evening, “a scientist’s job is to verify.”
Albert Einstein once quipped that “Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.” For as much as we understand about the world we inhabit, about the greater universe, and about one another, I am convinced that there is far more that we don’t know.
The lesson I take from this morning’s consideration is that we must take care to keep our imaginations alive. Einstein also said that “Imagination is far more important than knowledge.” I am inclined to agree.
Gregory Hake 
Just play the telephone game with six 8 year olds and you see what happens in translation and that is speaking the same language! Just because something is repeated over and over doesn’t make it true or even the old “where there is smoke their is fire” axiom; sometimes things are just false. It can be mistakes that were never corrected, lies, ignorance, etc. but the fact is, it’s incorrect. Be willing to discover something you could never have imagined.
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Gregg, I share in your agreement with the words of Einstein.
It certainly does take a certain something to come to a space completely void of the distortions in consciousness that tend to run the background of our typical concepts and beliefs.
There is however, I have found, of tremendous value and leverage if one can generate such a space within oneself, where true imagination can be experienced. Those times seem like moments of great significance, AHA, or complete serenity, wherein ones vision becomes all encompassing, where no distortion is welcome. Wouldn’t it be great if those moments did become the norm!
From moment to moment, day to day
I can imagine it, therefore it must be possible!
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Good food for thought!
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That is a mind-blowing mistranslation! I wonder how many other things there are like that that are either missing the right inflection (like you said), or are just completely wrong. Thanks for posting this.
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Gregg I love this post – your perspective really gets my thought processes turning! Being a school teacher who has seen classic textbook assumptions thrown out, to be replaced by other assumptions that were then thrown out, I totally understand the problem with faulty premises that get written in stone and perpetuated. Thanks for promoting critical thinking, especially without cynicism but with a passion for learning and keen awareness of the magic of life.
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Fascinating article. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if there were a backlash from the scientific community (or any ‘community’ with a vested interest in the data being presented in a certain light). I am reminded of Luca Turin who you featured in an earlier post https://gregghake.wordpress.com/2010/03/16/the-last-one-in-is-a-rotten-egg/
Viva the imagination and the possibility for new factors and premises to be revealed!
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Very thought provoking post!
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I miss the times where children created, played and had no other option but to use their imagination. As an adult I get no greater joy than when I am playing with my nephews, building cities, creating masterpieces and eating delicious imaginary baked goods from the play oven. I believe we all would do well to open our minds to creativity and to put aside the hardened walls of our own concepts and interpretations. Who knows what the possibilities could be on that basis! Have a great day!
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Fascinating article – thanks for sharing it!
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Creative imagination is something that tends to disappear with age, but it doesn’t have to be that way. I like the “what if” question and can see many areas in my life that I can ask this. I’m looking forward to seeing what the answers can be!
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I appreciate your consideration here. The quote from Einstein is a great takeaway to keep the spirit of your post churning in my mind today. Have a wonderful day!
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