The notion of independence is such a myth. I mean, even on the day of independence, Pakistan was exchanging gunfire with India across the LoC (let’s not get into the “he said,she said” of the situation, please). I doubt either country will ever truly be rid of the other. Now guys, all this is not just random conjecture on my part. In fact, for the past twenty years, science had been working hard and fast to prove the exact same thing - that independence is simply a Big. Fat. Lie.
Fun fact: I am a total insomniac and I kid you not, at like 2 am in the morning, I become a total science geek. It all started with The Big Bang Theory and, thanks to Sheldon (who by the way is played by a seemingly immortal 40 year old man), I am completely obsessed with string theory. Now, we all know that the universe is super huge, but if we change our perspective and think small, we realise that at the tiniest level possible - the level of quantum mechanics - the system is just as vast, if not bigger. This is the world of atoms and molecules and photons and gravitons, or in other words, ‘the fabric of life’ (melodramatic whisper intended). String theory suggests that these atoms and molecules are actually composed of strings- strings that vibrate and morph and tear and travel all the time. In fact, these strings are so versatile, they can actually stretch and form a membrane that could contain an entire universe, such as ours. The coolest part? These membranes can also be viewed as dimensions, or as scientists so conveniently call them, degrees of freedom.
The author's theories are inspired by the work of physicist Edward Witten
***
The Churri girls tiptoed their way down the stairs and towards the front door. All they had to do was pass by the drawing room unnoticed, past the wailing group of women their mother had gathered for dinner that evening. They had almost reached their destination when they heard Mona Churri calling their names.
“Girls, come and say hi, please. Everyone is dying to meet you! Why don’t you tell everyone what you’ve been doing?”
The girls almost struggled to answer this bizarre and vague question, but they were immediately interrupted by their mother.
“As you all know, Zara has been working on her fashion line and little Maham here has started her first job after graduation from Smith,” Mona beamed.
“Wow Mona,” chirped a member of the GT crowd, “your daughters are so skinny!”
“Yes, they are” butted another member. “Although, I think the younger one is skinnier than the older one. And taller too. What did you say she was up to? I can’t believe your daughters are so smart and pretty!”
“You know, Madiha’s girls are just as skinny,” added a third member. “But they are so out there. I mean, they come home late and I even heard they smoke cigarettes at parties. Your kids don’t smoke, do they? And what time will they be coming home tonight? You don’t want your kids to be too independent, you know…”
The Churri girls just stood there, unable to insert themselves into a conversation that was completely about them -their behavior, appearance, and height. They hoped that the ground would open up and swallow them whole, but mercy was just not one of the cosmos’ virtues.
AIf you failed to follow her exposition of string theory so far, the author hopes this diagram will make things clearer
***
So what does all this have to do with my ultimate theory of independence being a total and complete sham? Humans perceive three dimensions of space (up down, left right, front back - pretty standard) and one dimension of time (which we can’t even really grasp, to be honest, folks). Oh, and we all know (hopefully) that strings have two end points, right? Well, this super genius scientist guy called Edward Witten discovered that there are eleven dimensions. He also suggested that the end points of strings are firmly attached to a particular membrane. What does this mean? Strings can travel all across a membrane and create all kinds of chaos, but they can never move from one membrane onto another (a few can, but they are special). Therefore, we humans can travel all across the ends of the universe, past billions of galaxies (hypothetically, of course), but we can never cross over to another dimension – or basically another degree of freedom - even though - wait for it - it may be as close as one millimeter away. Bam! You and I have a better shot at making it to Pluto, rather than stepping next door (I know, it’s so crazy). Now, string theory is still in the works, but the very fact that our entire existence may be dependent on us being devoid of independence totally proves my point.
Strings attach themselves to membranes called 'branes'
That our entire existence may be dependent on us being devoid of independence totally proves my point
***
“Did I ever tell you what happened to my maid, Sakina? Oh, the poor girl!” Madame Faiza exclaimed, shifting to fix her bellowing hips deeper into the sofa cushions. “I can’t even tell you what her husband did to her. Came home with bruises all over her back. Anyway, you remember I told you she fell in love with that boy from her village, right? Well, this weekend, she had planned to run away with him and away from her filthy husband,” she huffed, pausing only to light her next cigarette. “Apparently, she was out the door and almost past the village boundaries when they found her. Can you imagine? She was one degree away from a life of complete freedom…but then they always are, aren’t they?
