George Graham

What’s Going on? God Knows!

I watched Morgan Freeman’s “wormhole” show last night and  was left wondering why I am so dumb. Then this morning  I read that the Japanese are messing with the global currency market to increase their exports and I feel even more like a gibbering idiot.

There’s so much that I do not understand.

Please don’t tell me that quantum physics is simple and I just need to embrace the idea of everything being made up of itsy-bitsy specks of energy regardless of how solid they might look and feel.

Please don’t tell me that a babe in arms would understand that the cheaper a nation’s currency gets the more likely its exports are to increase.

And don’t lecture me about the cunning strategy the US can employ – as custodian of the world’s reserve currency – to diminish its debt by letting the dollar’s value shrink.

I don’t want to know.

Back in the days of William Shakespeare, everyone knew that it was music keeping the celestial spheres in place. (In The Merchant of Venice, for example, Lorenzo tells his girlfriend, “Sit, Jessica. Look how the floor of heaven is thick inlaid with patines of bright gold. There’s not the smallest orb which thou beholdest but in his motion like an angel sings, still choiring to the young-eyed cherubim.”)

Why didn’t we just leave it there?

I like that concept a whole lot better than the black holes that fascinate folks like Freeman.

And I much prefer the idea of an Almighty God to the notion of a “god particle.”

To me, God is infinite, creation is infinite, and everything is part of something larger, for ever and ever amen. Keep asking why and eventually you are going to have to blame God because you will have run out of anything else to blame.

As for the currency riddle, it seems all too clear to me that any number of countries can play the devaluation game, and the resulting race to the bottom would lead nowhere good.

I can’t figure out why the UN or some international body like that doesn’t just establish a global currency and put the “gnomes of Zurich” out of business. Perhaps the computer based bitcoin the geeks have come up with will turn out to be that currency, and what then?

Only God knows.

Click here for more on “Through the Wormhole.”

Click for more on quantum physics.

Click for the latest on the currency market.

Click for more on the bitcoin.

About the author

gwgraeme

I am a Jamaican-born writer who has lived and worked in Canada and the United States. I live in Lakeland, Florida with my wife, Sandra, our three cats and two dogs. I like to play golf and enjoy our garden, even though it's a lot of work. Since retiring from newspaper reporting I've written a few books. I also write a monthly column for Jamaicans.com

15 Comments

  • April, before you leave the South Coast do try and visit Lover’s Leap and YS Falls (which is everything Dunns River Falls is not! A quiet, romantic, breath taking paradise … perhaps you can take Protoje with you when you go ::wink::wink:: LOL). I can’t see any reason why you wouldn’t love both places!

    I’ll be really sad when you leave Jamaica in March! Secretly I hoped you’d settle there so that when I come to visit we could link up (selfish girl I am!). You seem like a really fun person and we seem to share a few traits: curious, adventurous, fearless. I love that! I’ve enjoyed reading your updates! As well as seeing how well you’re adapting to the environment which I certainly understand for non-locals can be daunting. Have you suffered a lot of harassment (I’m thinking people begging you for money and so on)? Or are you mostly spared from this because not many people realize you’re a tourist (until you speak perhaps?)?

    I know Jamaica has her problems, but I’m always glad to come across foreigners who enjoy the country for what it does offer. I hope once you do leave, you’ll want to return!

    • Every place has its problems, but for me the good heavily outweighs the bad in JA and I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of visiting. So no worries if we don’t meet this time around, I’ll catch you the next time b/c this def won’t be the last (God willing) 🙂

      Regarding the harassment. It’s never been a problem. I’m polite but firm and people usually keep it moving. Guys haven’t been an issue either. I’ve had a couple of “issues” with a few taxi drivers, but I’ve got that under control now too. I think being brown and my starter locs help. Many ask if I’m from one of the “small islands” as opposed to America, which I don’t mind either. Have been trying to get a post on this topic done for a while now.

      And thank you for the kind words. Always excited to connect with folks with a spirit of adventure and zest for life! Our paths will cross soon!

  • I really wish I was in Jamaica now! Some great ideas for places to visit, thanks for the post April.

  • This is interesting, I would never have associated anything Jamacan with yoga but I suppose when you think about it why not!

  • I’m so excited to spend the week of Valentine’s Day in Jamaica for the second year in a row. I think I should just make it an annual tradition!

    • That’s awesome! Enjoy the time and you should definitely make it an annual tradition. Where will you be?

      • I’m staying by myself in Mo Bay from the 13th – 16th, but the plan is to go on day-long trips on the 14th and 15th. Still working on the specifics of the trips; right now I’m thinking about one trip to Kingston and another to the Black River/YS Falls/Pelican Bar/Appleton Estate. A friend is flying in on the 16th; so after picking her up from Sangster, we’re headed to Negril until the 19th. I think we’re going to use those days to just lay on the beach and explore Negril.

        • Nice! One of my good friends is coming into town the 14th- 21st. was thinking of doing south Coast during that time as well. All of those plus Lover’s Leap, Milk River and Gut River are on my to do list. Definitely hit me up when you are in Kingston if you want to grab a drink or something.

          • I plan to take the Knutsford Express into Kingston on the 14th or 15th. Will you be there both days? I’ve never been to Kingston and plan on just trudging (hopefully not aimlessly) around the city all day, so we’ll definitely be able to meet up for a drink!

        • The Knutsford is what’s up. There’s also the South Coast Express as well http://southcoast-express.com/ Same concept, different destinations. Should be, because my friend will just be arriving. Been in Kingston for a month, so if you have any questions, happy to help.

  • I would think that February would be a mild temperature in comparison to the humid summers. Yoga in Jamaica would be such a great experience, so far away from the every day. I really enjoy your blog, and will continue to follow you around the world.

  • Hello. I hope you enjoy February in JA. If you go by the FiWi Sinting, check out RasTakura. He will be at the Poetry Hut. I met him in Kingston and have actually hired him to show me around on two different occasions. I highly recomend him. He does not actually do tours, but if he has the time when you are looking for a guide, he may be able to help. I may be there again in March. https://www.facebook.com/#!/RasTakura

    I just signed up to follow you. Can’t wait to hear more.