On Being with Krista Tippett

Marilynne Robinson and Marcelo Gleiser — The Mystery We Are

Nov 21, 2019
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ANECDOTE

Gleiser's Early Inspiration

  • Marcelo Gleiser's childhood fascination with the ocean and mountains in Rio de Janeiro sparked his interest in understanding nature's mysteries.
  • Einstein's autograph, a Bar Mitzvah gift, further fueled his pursuit of science, emphasizing the mystery of nature as a driving force.
ANECDOTE

Robinson's Nature and Theology

  • Marilynne Robinson's childhood in Idaho, with its vast natural landscape, instilled a sense of human triviality against nature's grandeur.
  • Her grandparents' mountain house, filled with natural sounds and scents, connected her to theology and a sense of God's presence.
INSIGHT

Limitations of a "Theory of Everything"

  • The pursuit of a "theory of everything" in physics assumes we can measure everything about nature.
  • Our limited tools and the universe's constant transformation make a complete understanding impossible, highlighting the importance of imperfection and change.
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