By Lynne Milum, MBA, BSChE
All my life, I have carried the hope and idealism of the
poet. Yet, more so, the scientist in me has developed an unyielding love for
observation, measurement, making and breaking hypotheses, and reveling in the
study of natural phenomena.
I have often appeared a paradox to outside observers – a
female – chemical engineer – writer – computer analyst – technical
manager – lover of music and arts … Yet for me, there is no incongruence –
society just doesn’t recognize the possibility of a Renaissance Woman.
In discovery of the Truth – there is no separation of
scientific and spiritual wonder – it is just wonder.
In Physics: diffraction of light, curvature of space,
conversion of matter to energy and, indeed, energy to matter. These discoveries
have yielded the creation of environmentally friendly materials…energy
efficient processes…better infrastructure and alternative fuels.
In Chemistry: the elixir of life, mixtures, reactions –
endothermic and exothermic, and orbital configurations of subatomic particles
with fascinating behavior and tremendous organization. These discoveries have
yielded agricultural advances to feed the hungry with higher quality and greater
yields – while promoting genetic diversity. Advances in drug therapies have
provided humankind with new hope for the future – where someone previously
incapacitated can now live a full and prosperous life.
Lastly, in Biology, where my greatest wonders have unfolded
through the knowledge of cellular structure – genetic ticker tapes of DNA
providing instructions, ribosome factories translating instructions into protein
production, and ATP power plants of mitochondria executing the infamous Citric
Acid Cycle and bringing meaning to those biochemical reactions. For me, This
is the stuff of Life!
It is a natural reconciliation of science and religion –
this complexity may have evolved through externally random events applying
energy to inorganic acids with a plethora of low probability reactions taking
place over eons, but the net result has yielded a beauty of creation that could
only be fashioned by a Master Engineer of Intelligence.
Despite my formal studies in engineering, chemistry and
advanced mathematics, I innately knew that apparently incongruent pieces of the
scientific and religious puzzle were somehow part of one greater Truth.
Gradually, the strands of truth and strands of contrivance
reveal themselves…
As a society, we are moving towards a science compatible with
the needs of human existence. There is an increasing awareness that science
supports a larger truth. But scientific study is not conducted in a vacuum… We
need to pursue a holistic approach and integrate scientific decisions with a
moral awareness in a spirit of caring and the targeting of specific needs.
Rather than entering into the foray of scientists and
religionists asserting that their way is the only way – that one must
ultimately choose a side – how much better to weave all the strands of truth
and to re-weave as new or broader truths are revealed! This can be done knowing
that ultimately, there is One Cloth… one complex and wonderful pattern – a
seeker’s Dharma.
So it is that Science is One with Religion – it will
ultimately be reconciled as we understand and recognize there is but One Truth.
Technology has evolved as yet one nuance in this pursuit of
Truth.
First: developing electrical circuits, conceiving wiring
configurations, conceptualizing bits and bytes into processing instructions…
Technology was created in relative isolation where few understood what was under
the hood…and fewer could communicate without technospeak…
Then: an evolution into arrays of databases, networks and
people-driven applications – expanding into the social structure until…
Now: Those relationships, the interactions that people
invariably seek, manifest as a highly complex, multi-dimensional and clearly
non-linear linkage – conventionally called the Internet.
This virtual place where technology has become a tool – a
device for even the non-technical – and this process has permitted the
HUMANIZING of technology – where individuality and connectedness can actually
be realized.
How well this evolution of technology mirrors the
manifestation of the Oneness of Humankind!
We are connected: