Delusions of Grandeur

Today I had to face the fact that I may have Delusions of Grandeur. I spoke to two people who know me and explained the my theories and my thoughts.  They thought not.  To explain here, I'll have to get into a little physics.

Sometime between 1980 and 1986 I developed a Theory and built an imaginary space vehicle both powered by and armed with technology beyond what was currently available. One of the core pieces for this vessel was an energy source using energies plasma contained in a magnetic field.  At my young age I didn't have the language for this source of energy but I later learned that what I was envisioning Nuclear Fusion.

By 1986 I had "fleshed out" the model for this ship including the energy sources and during this process I postulated certain criteria for this Fusion Reactor to operate.  Among other things there were two paramount requirements, the first being the ability to generate and contain a fuel source in a stable plasma field. The second requirement would be control of the plasma fuel via magnetic fields to prevent the plasma from contacting the "normal material" of the shell.  While the first criteria can be satisfied now with advanced technology, the second requirement isn't so easy to accomplish.  I recognized that any magnetic field would be easily disrupted and any bulge or dip in the containment would result in a containment failure.  The biggest hurdle I could see was that the Earth's gravitational field would eventually disrupt the powerful EM field needed to make the Fusion cell work.  Although no mathematician, the only way I could overcome this was by building the Fusion Reactor in the micro gravity of space. If built outside of a large gravitational well, maintaining the requisite EM compression and containment shield should just become an issue of available power.

In 2012 I became aware of fusion research being done around the globe.  I read about the French Laser Mégajoule, HiPER, facility and their ongoing research into Fusion.  I was surprised to see that their research was taking the same pathway as my own theories.  They were using a revolutionary technique of building a magnetic doughnut for containment.  Still, having read their reports I saw their progress being hampered by malformations of the EM field and disruptions caused by "background" energies.  While their research is impressive (and I have kept up with their progress) they are still a long way away from a sustainable Fusion Reactor.

Another aspect of the design for my "ship" was the use of Helium as a conductive gas throughout the design and use of the ship. Helium lasers seemed to me to be very effective and versatile. In it's basic elemental form Helium is a remarkable element with many properties that would be useful in the design of a space going vessel.  It is a stable element, non-toxic, abundant, and easily transmutable to different states. Other than being a medium for lasers, the Helium would also serve as a conductive material allowing for a predictable and stable distribution of power although I would couple it with Neon for the internal systems. Neon would be my preferred element to combine with Helium for the internal systems due to their similarity of functions and the ability to substitute Neon for most usages of Helium in an emergency.  Finally, the reason I used Helium in my design is due to the ease by which Helium Plasma can be generated and utilized into the Fusion process.  Since the element is the 2nd most abundant in the known universe, it could be harvested with ease from stray material floating through space.  Since the primary power source and main weapon of the ship would be dependent on the plasma fueled Fusion Core, it made sense to use a medium that was both on hand and easily replaceable.

This now goes back to the primary system of my design, the Fusion Reactor.  Helium Plasma is one of the mediums some researchers are using to create a fusion reaction. Hydrogen is by far the most desirable, but Helium is less volatile and easier to work with in many cases.  Again I see that my design postulated theories and provided solutions that are now being put to work by the scientific community many decades later.

There were other systems I worked out in the vessel that were all codependent on each other.  I just mentioned two of the many systems that work together to make the whole function.  Another important element to the function of the whole was a Cyclotron.  Honestly here I have to say that although it would work, advances have brought us more efficient Particle Accelerators that would work much better than my original design.

I will come back to this again later but I wanted to lay down the foundations.  You see, I have theories and ideas that are not what could be called "mainstream" science.  In fact, had I been old enough to publish my theories back in the 80's I would have been called a fool, ignorant, or simply ignored.  Today though, I see that those long ago theories have born fruit as others have discovered what I found in my youth.

So you see here is the issue.  A large part of me wants to write down all my observations, theories, and insights then send them to leading physicists.  I believe that locked within my brain are avenues of research that could advance our understanding of the universe and leap us forward by several decades.  While I mention only two of my old concepts that have come forward and been discovered by modern physicists, these are fairly small accomplishments compared the the possibility of my most extreme ideas.  Am I suffering from Delusions of Grandeur by believing that locked within a mind not classically trained are the keys to understanding new aspects of physics?  Am I delusional for looking back at my old designs and seeing their modern usage?  I've been told by others that it isn't delusional but instead optimistic.  I wonder though if some future physicist will be working on Rutherford's Law in his own research.

Why can't we all just get along?

I've watched people posting things on social media more frequently on social issues that involve a vast host of societal foibles. Who can use what bathroom?  Who should be allowed to carry a gun? Where should guns be allowed? Are Republicans evil?  Are Democrats idiots? Is the world burning?  These are extreme arguments that many times break down to uncivil discourse.

Today I read a post about transgender bathroom usage article.  The Article in question was a "conservative" pieces where women were stating they would be carrying guns in the bathroom from now on to protect themselves.  A Transgender advocate responded to the article by saying they would disarm anyone carrying a gun in a restroom.  I saw a hint of irony there.  In fact, I saw the same kind of hypocrisy I often see when people on different sides of an issue act emotionally without thinking things through.

I have made my position on the transgender bathroom issue known.  My position on the 2nd Amendment hasn't been delved but I am an avid supporter.  The issue I saw here was a champion of rights was willing to ignore and penalize others for practicing one of theirs.  Although this isn't something only seen with the current "bathroom bill" discussions, it is something I find all the time.

As a minister I carry a gun.  Since I don't have a "brick and mortar" church (I conduct worship in living rooms), I often am wearing my gun at services.  I don't know how many of my congregants have guns on them or if there are any in their houses.  It isn't something I ask.  Still, there are people out there who are filled with horror at the thought of a preacher with a gun.  I have been told how "wrong" I am in carrying a gun much less proselytizing while armed.  Other clergy have even told me bluntly that I am going to hell for doing such.

In politics I align myself with no party.  I was brought up to weigh the value of the individual.  For years, I didn't even know the party affiliation of my congressman, Rick Boucher (D), even though I was a staunch supporter.  When I felt he turned against his constituents, I voted for "the other guy."  I have voted for Democrats, Republicans, and Independents.  I've written in the names of candidates and even "Micky Mouse" when there was nobody worth voting for.

When baby Bush was President I was called a Democrat when I criticized him.  Now that Obama is President I am called a Republican because I criticize him as well.  I have a great dislike of Hillary Clinton, and this has led people to call me a Republican and worse, a Fundamentalist.  No matter who I would like to see elected there is always someone out there on one side or the other ready to label me their enemy and attack my education, knowledge, and even ethics.

I have a novel idea. How about we put on our big boy panties and just worry about ourselves.  I'll discuss any topic a person wants to bring up as long at it stays a discussion and not an argument.  Let's stand up for our beliefs but allow others the courtesy of having their own beliefs.  Don't demean or condemn someone for disagreeing with you.  Don't attack someone for expressing their opinions.  Fascism is on the rise in American society.

Contrary to popular opinion, fascism isn't a conservative or liberal construct.  Fascism is a means unto itself, it crosses political and ideological lines.  We see fascism today in the violent protests led by Sander's supporters against Donald Trump.  That's right, I said Sander's supporters.  We see fascism in Washington DC where the lawmakers result to lies and shouting down opposition.  In the Executive branch we see lawlessness and arrogance that can only exist in a Fascist state. With the rise of Black Lives Matters we see a street level fascism that has grown like a wildfire to burn down anything in it's way.  Attorney Generals who are going after Exxon are using fascist techniques and being cheered on by crowds of activists who don't seem to see the end of the road they are pushing.

Let gay people marry.  Let transgender people pee where they want.  Let citizens carry guns when they feel the need. Let people reserve the right to refuse service when it violates their beliefs. Let people dispute climate science without fear of persecution.  Make politicians stand on their own and quit voting for a Party.  In other words, take responsibility for your life and let me be responsible for mine.  Quit blaming others for life not working out for you.  Quit trying to be everyone's mother and let people live their lives.

Transgender and Bathroom Rights

I'm going to chime in on the whole bathroom vs transgender debate. First off I want to make it clear that I can see both sides of the argument. Second, I believe the solution is staring people in the face but they don't, can't, or won't see it.

"Trans" people just want to use the bathroom without being called freaks, bullied, or given "the look". Yes, there are predators out there who will use the opportunity to enter the bathroom for perverted or otherwise malicious reasons. The issue facing people who are against transgenders using their identified bathroom get hung up on how to tell who are the "perverts". Unfortunately, when a "trans" person hears that argument they react negatively because they are used to being called perverts by these very same people. It isn't looking out for perverts, it's protecting against predators. This is something transgender people should be able to agree with.

Consider this, how are the police going to enforce a bathroom "ban"? I'll tell you right now that the first person who does a package check on me will end up on the tile in a pool of their own blood. Ever think that by trying to enforce these types of bans you are actually encouraging the predators who will act in the name of "just making sure"? Simple fact, I don't know of any study that links transgender individuals with any type of predatory personality disorder. This is the same situation as the myth of gays being predators, it just isn't true. You are probably more likely to be assaulted by someone of the same sex in a restroom than by a transgender individual. Truth be told you are more likely to be raped or assaulted OUTSIDE of a restroom than within.

I would have been pissed had a man gone into the bathroom where my daughter was while she was growing up. It's a father's natural reaction for his mind to go "there" whenever his child's safety is at stake. I can assume it's the same for all parents. That being said how was I to know if a man didn't? I've seen plenty of people who were totally androgynous in appearance and I never had a second thought about which bathroom they used. Simple logic tells me that my initial reaction was irrational, but I still have to accept that there is a human protective instinct that sometimes thinks the worst of others. The issue of women who are afraid of men I won't bother going into here. That's a whole psychological monster in itself.

Now I see the solution as an issue that involves society but the burden lies with architects. My brother just visited Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend and commented to me that they had four bathrooms. One was marked MALE, one FEMALE, one UNISEX, and one HANDICAPPED (guessing it was unisex as well). In today's society with men helping with the children more, unisex bathrooms are on the rise. We simply need more bathrooms that are unisex so it doesn't matter who uses them. In fact, they could cut down on the size of the "male and female" restrooms to accommodate more unisex and there wouldn't be an issue. I know some people will only use a restroom that is marked either male or female due to ingrained societal conditioning so we are a while away from going totally unisex in most major retailers and gathering places.

Think about this issue. Which side do you really stand on? I can understand the fear of the predator. I can understand the desire to pee without harassment. What are we willing to do to step off of the polarized ledges and begin walking toward a common ground? Do both sides need to give a little? Can we work out a solution where neither side has to compromise? Think about the solution, not the problem.