Beauty is Truth and Truth Beauty

Love makes an object beautiful—Eliseo Lagano

Ubi amor ibi oculus est (Where there is love there is vision)—Richard of St Victor
Do you recall John Keats’ enigmatic last two lines in Ode on a Grecian Urn: “Beauty is truth, truth beauty. That is all ye know on earth, and all ye need to know” ?

“But what on Earth did Keats mean?” asked mathematician and author, Martin Gardner (Scientific American, April 2007). Gardner went on to quote T.S. Eliot who called the lines “meaningless” and “a serious blemish on a beautiful poem”. A rather pithy remark, I thought, considering the lines spoke of beauty. Gardner further described how great theorems and great proofs, such as “Euclid’s elegant proof of infinity of primes, have about them what Bertrand Russell described as ‘a beauty cold and austere’ akin to the beauty of great works of sculpture.”

Ian Stewart, a distinguished mathematician at the University of Warwick in England and author of Why Beauty is Truth: a History of Symmetry, suggested that symmetry lay at the heart of beauty. He concluded his book with two maxims: 1) in physics, beauty does not automatically ensure truth, but it helps; and 2) in mathematics beauty must be true—because everything false is ugly.

I really don’t think these guys get it.

Shakespeare & Company in Paris

In the current historical fantasy I'm writing (which brought me to Paris to do some research) my two main characters, Vivianne and François, pass a rather famous bookstore located in the heart of Paris on Rue de la Bucherie, on the Left Bank just opposite Notre Dame Cathedral: Shakespeare and Company.

Shakespeare & Company is situated in the Latin Quarter, which for centuries has been the centre of bohemian Parisian creativity and intelligentsia. For over fifty years, the bookshop has housed numerous writers and hosted readings by published and unpublished authors. Run by Sylvia Whitman, daughter of the legendary George Whitman, the bookstore looks like something in a Harry Potter movie, with stacks upon stacks of all sorts of literature.

Upon entering, you'll find yourself in a place Henry Miller described as "A wonderland of books".

Shakespeare and Company is open evey day from 10:00 to 23:00. If you're touring Paris go check it out. The selection of English books is impeccable, with many by local writers. If you're a young traveling writer looking for a place to crash, Sylvia might put you up too!

Nina Munteanu is an ecologist and internationally published author of novels, short stories and essays. She coaches writers and teaches writing at George Brown College and the University of Toronto. For more about Nina’s coaching & workshops visit www.ninamunteanu.me. Visit www.ninamunteanu.ca for more about her writing.

The Year 2007--Friday Feature

Today's Friday Feature showcases the year 2007. I thought it might be both fun and somewhat entertaining (if not revealing) to reminisce about 2007 through pictures… You know what they say, after all…A picture is worth a thousand words… so, I’ll try to keep it brief… but I am a writer, after all…

January: My family kicked off 2007 with a trip to Thailand. Thailand is a strikingly beautiful country, matched in its verdant beauty by a gentle, kind-hearted and humble people. The Thai people are without a doubt one of the most beautiful people I have met in my many travels throughout the world. They possess a healthy sense of humor and patient nature that allows them to accept disaster (like the recent tsunami and the earthquakes and floods that so commonly befall them) in stride. We experienced their wonderful culture, rode elephants (actually, one blew in my ear!), ate spicy food of unknown origin, swam the Andaman Sea, got tickled by a shrieking monkey, spoke Thai (badly, I’m afraid), risked our lives to cross the road (the Thai are NOT known for their driving skills), bought silk-made clothes, indulged in Thai massages, and drank lots of Singha Beer.

April: Not only is this month a bit of a phenomenon for me (I was born this month!) but this was the month I created my blog, The Alien Next Door, with my first post called “Alien Musings” on April 11. I was such a newbie (embarrassed grin) and so jazzed about my blog and the Blogosphere in general.

May: I joined MyBlogLog and soon after BlogCatalog, my two favorite blogging communities, and found them both so welcoming. That’s when I met most of you, particularly those of you highlighted in this previous post. What a COOL place I’d discovered in the Cyber Universe!

July: the family embarked on our annual vacation trip to the islands off the coast of British Columbia…a veritable holiday paradise. It helped that we have use of a family-shared 28-foot cruiser that my husband captains…Yeah… we’re a bit spoiled… I know… The sparkling clear waters of Desolation Sound harbor a rich cornucopia of sea life that my marine biologist husband can actually name. And, yes, those fried oysters in garlic butter are to die for… The time has come, the Walrus said, to talk of many things…

August: I flew via the friendly carrier WestJet to Calgary, Alberta, and participated in Conversion-23, Calgary’s science fiction and fantasy convention. I got there early to do a writer’s retreat with my drinking buddy, Virginia, and we had a grand time between writing in our suite, research in the office, and drinking at the bar (for inspiration, of course!). This excellent combination proved incredibly productive and set me on fire for the con. Good thing too, because Kirstin Morrell, the con chair, kept me out of mischief by putting me on so many panels, I was literally running from one to the other without a washroom break...That's okay; I needed the exercise and it kept me out of the bar! And I still managed to find the Slave Auction (one winner pictured here with her prizes).

October: I participated in Vcon, Vancouver’s science fiction and fantasy convention, and got re-acquainted with my publisher, Gwen Gades (an amazing energetic and creative lady) and the publisher of Edge Publishing, Brian Hades, and his vivacious wife, Anita, who taught me how to swear in French (something that might come in handy when I go back to Montreal). We knew we were in “the zone” when we did the cha-cha down the hall and I re-told my “Henri the manure salesman” joke to a group of appreciative-because-they-were-inebriated attendees.

November: my anticipated book, Darwin's Paradox, was released in bookstores throughout North America and Europe and I launched in my own home town at the independent bookstore, Black Bond Books. Then I travelled to Toronto to visit my father, brother and his family and sneaked in a book tour of virtually all the Chapters stores there (between tile shops, that is), as well as the well known science fiction specialty store, Bakka Books. It was also an opportunity for me to finally meet my then press agent—now my manager—the dynamic Karen Mason, a most remarkable woman who I credit with being largely responsible for making my book known to important individuals (including YOU). I’d only corresponded with her via internet or phone etc. up to then. It was special to finally meet you face-to-face, Karen! I was so jazzed! And she was so cool (she rides a motorcycle, you know! Hey, you think that if I'm really nice to her she'll let me have a ride?...).

December: the family saw several members and close friends fall ill but also recover in time to spend a wonderful Christmas that we could all be thankful for. I even managed to do some Christmas baking, which my boys appreciated. What a way to end the year: healthy, happy and sated on Christmas baking…

Friday Feature--Vinny

This is the view from the aft lounge of SF Girl's ship, the "IGG Intrepid" (Vinny, for short).

For today's Friday Feature, I'm featuring...ME! Well, actually, my intelligent ship, Vinny. Several of you had the fortunate experience of being kidna--er--a guest on my sentient ship and enjoyed this spectacular view from my aft lounge. Okay, that looks suspiciously like a NASA vehicle in the foreground...bit of a traffic jam there...We got through it okay.

Vinny was graced, for instance, by Captain Jean-Luc Picard, who displayed the elegant poise and wisdom of a man at home in the vastness of space. He was so charming and gracious, accepting coffee from me when his prefered drink is Earl Grey tea. I do so love his warm and sincere smile...sigh...And he did send me a case of his wonderful Picard red wine. Thank you, Jean-Luc! When he isn't speeding around in his ship, harrassed--er--surrounded by his loyal crew, you can spot Jean-Luc lurking on Facebook or Shelfari under the pseudonym of Graham Seager.

When avante-garde scientist--and my personal hero--Dr. Lynn Margulus, stepped aboard Vinny she brought with her her bright light of scientific genius and courage that lingers still. She also left me with some really bad biology jokes. Here's one:

A boy was assigned a paper on childbirth and asked his mother, "How was I born?""Well honey..." said the slightly prudish mother, "the stork brought you to us.""Oh," said the boy, "and how did you and daddy get born?""Oh, the stork brought us too.""Well how were grandpa and grandma born?" the boy persisted."Well darling, the stork brought them too!" said the mother, by now starting to squirm a little. Several days later, the boy handed in his paper to the teacher who read with confusion the opening sentence: "This report has been very difficult to write due to the fact that there hasn't been a natural childbirth in my family for three generations." (LOL) Okay...but it's better than these:

How many evolutionists does it take to change a light bulb? Only one, but it takes eight million years.

How many biologists does it take to change a light bulb? Four. One to change it and three to write the environmental-impact statement.

Fantasy author, Jennifer Rahn, was delightfully composed and curious about Vinny, and enjoyed the view of our beautiful planet despite her fear of heights. I must thank you, Jennifer, for introducing Vinny to those wierd hair-slapping Fins (Apocalypta, who play a mean version of Metallica's Enter Sandman). She also used Vinny's services recently to do some dubious business with a rather questionable character named Jeff at the Texan Lounge on the Karnellian Lunar Base. As Jen said, "Nina's usually pretty busy, what with saving the Earth and all, but she's the only person I know in Canada who has a spaceship, and as always, she was happy to oblige." Thanks for the case of Traglet wine as payment, Jen (she was totally schooled at galactic poker--before paying me, I might add!). But you DO know that Traglet wine gives me indigestion, don't you, Jen? And I really don't care for the green residue left on the bottom from the live Traglets.

Science fiction author, Robert J. Sawyer was just like...well...Robert J. Sawyer! Rob was so at ease on board Vinny, slipping into Vinny's binary language and fixing things while he strolled along the hallways, helping himself to Traglet wine, residue and all (which didn't upset HIS system!). Not only did he apprehend all the facets of this organic-mechanized ship, but he increased Vinny's efficiency by 30%. Rob, we have a date for Vinny's 100ly tune-up! Okay? Toronto, here we come!

Philanthropist, SEO and internet extraordinaire, Karen Mason was elegantly graceful, composed and in command throughout her stay aboard Vinny, despite the passes my feisty robot, Harry, made at her (unbenounst to me, of course!). I don't think she minded so much (Harry is so cute!) And he did send her flowers to make up for his insolence. I've since put him through the circum-popo-stabilizer to adjust his circuitry (not quite like a lobotomy, but close). We'll see. I caught him writing love letters to Moya (Farscape's leviathan AI ship) yesterday. He's such a rake!

• Here's a picture of Harry. He looks a lot like Clank (of Ratchet and Clank). Well, he should! I made him that way.
  
  So, for those of you who delight in science and technology, here are some more facts about Vinny:
  
  he is an organic-mechanized, totally sentient ship, capable of cognitive thought, with a personality of his own.


• Vinny is also capable of faster-than-light speed (like all good SF ships). Mostly, Vinny taps into the dark matter of folded space, transmutates then reconfigures elsewhere, but sometimes he skims along the fabric of space like a frisbee. Scares the heebee-jeebees out of me when he does that.


• The ship is equipped with a revolutionary bio-film plasma technology that ensures against any hypervelocity impacts and other irregular collisions.


• Vinny is equipped with a fully functional greenhouse/biome in addition to a molecular replicator for both nutritious and easily accessible food.


• He recycles everything including wastes, air, water, dreams, laughter, etc through a revolutionary system that provides him with the energy to run; all of which I am not permitted to divulge.


• Okay...I'll tell you just a little bit: Vinny uses dream-waves for fuel, mainly through its passengers when in REM sleep, which activates theta rhythm generated in the dentate gyrus of the brain. Nanosensors attached to sleeping passengers transfer the theta waves via Vinny's neural network into wave-energy for the ship.

Here's a shot of Vinny. Okay, so he looks a little like Serenity (from Firefly). He should! I built him like that!

And, below, is a blow-up of my logo on the starboard bow of the ship.





Happy flying. If you're really nice to me, I might give you a ride aboard Vinny too (I prefer good old Earth wine to any of those universal exotic drinks, by the way. And you already know about my penchant for chocolate...)

Nameless Grace

It's Friday and time for my Friday Feature. But you better not blink because my Friday Feature is a blur of electric motion. She's a flow of iridescent color that commands attention, yet evades the indolent glance. She’s simply too fast.

Karen’s not only fast; she’s everywhere: widely traveled, particularly in Europe and Asia, Karen Mason is a marketing entrepreneur, publisher and broadcaster, as well as an accomplished cryptographer with knowledge of the Kabbalah who rides a motorcycle (because she can) and plays several musical instruments (not at the same time, but I wouldn’t discount that either). Karen knows more languages than I can count and doesn’t seem to require any sleep. That’s a good thing because amid her many “day” job responsibilities, she posts to at least three excellent blogs, actively runs a broadcasting and publishing firm, Starfire World Syndicate, and is one of the founding directors of Worldwide Classroom, an educational site devoted to altruism. Karen Mason is, simply put, remarkable.

One of her blogs, Dog-e-Tail, is devoted to dogs welfare and health in which she dispenses excellent advice on their upkeep and general care along with sharing some touching stories, particularly of misfortunes that usually turn out okay. Her other blog, which publishes short stories and novel excerpts is called Nameless Grace, and is devoted to, in her words, “that inexplicable beauty that we have come to know as Nameless Grace…” This blog showcases short stories of talented emerging and established writers. She also created and impeccably runs a blog devoted to my own book, “Darwin’s Paradox”, for which I am truly grateful.

After chasing her blurry image and exchanging the odd virtual drinks on Facebook, I finally got Karen to stand still long enough to invite her up to my ship to interro—er—interview her. Being the world traveler she is, of course she agreed. I was immediately impressed with her composure and ability to handle the travel beam. Like Jean-Luc Picard, Lynn Margulis, Jennifer Rahn and Rob Sawyer before her, Karen rode the stupid crystal beam with the ease of a veteran starship traveler while my queasy stomach shifted in severe objection. I still had a lot to learn about humans, I decided petulantly…Maybe it was me. I seemed to be the only one disoriented by my own travel beam! How embarrassing! Somehow, I couldn't quite shake the strange feeling that she was really a being of light who could have gotten herself up to my ship on her own wattage, but traveled the beam just to keep me company...

~~~~

Once aboard my ship, I show her the aft lounge. Karen peers out at the breathtaking view of planet Earth and points out all the places she’s travelled in the world.

SF Girl: “Is there anywhere on the planet you haven’t been to?” I say in awe of her international accomplishments. She’s been to more places on Earth than I’ve been in the Universe!

Karen: Furling her brow slightly, she reflects briefly then gives me a slanted smile. “Egypt. I haven’t been there. And Venice.”

SF Girl: My mouth gapes open. I’m totally surprised! Given her interest and skills in cryptography and interpreting hieroglyphics, I’d have thought she spent years in Egypt! “Really?” I utter, raising a brow. Always the trouble-maker, I dig, “Is that because they wouldn’t let you in?” My heart slams as my imagination soars with ridiculous possibilities. I critically appraise this elegantly dressed woman with coifed hair and tasteful makeup. Karen sips a Bailey’s on ice that my newly acquired robot, Harry, brought to her. She doesn’t remotely resemble an insane terrorist on some crazy mission. Of course, they never do, except on the Reality Network. Then I have a sudden thought: perhaps she’s an international spy! Or worse: a dreaded tax collector! I find myself trembling with fear. What if she calls my bluff? And imposes an audit? Impounds my ship?

Karen: Her eyes twinkle under the lounge lights and I brace for her response. I think she just read my mind... “I just never made it there yet," she says calmly and offers me a slanted smile. "Perhaps next year."

SF Girl: Diffused, I decide she’s not a tax collector after all and sigh. She's too nice. Mind buzzing with spent adrenalin, I ruthlessly pursue: “But why wouldn’t you have gone there already? I'd have thought your university studies would have taken you there…Karen?...Karen?...” There’s no answer…Then I notice that she’s gone into the hallway to talk with Harry in binary code…alas…I can’t understand a bit of what they’re saying… Except that Harry is glowing...