The Big Questions in Science: The Quest to Solve the Great Unknowns

That was the title of a book (a rather cool one at that). So, please do know that we are certainly not equipped to "solve the great unknowns" and are definitely not going to answer the "big questions in Science" but the guy who wrote it, Andre Deutsch, sure seems to. However, I could give you a little sneak preview designed to intrigue! :D

There are so many puzzles out there in the universe, that is, if there's only one of them...(Parallel Universe! DW FTW!)

Big Question #1: What is the universe made of?

Well, astronomers seem to be struggling with that for quite along time. Atoms, which form everything we can see, only consist of a measly 5% of the universe. What about the vast 95% that's unaccounted for? This remainder is comprised of 2 shadowy entities- dark energy and dark (magic..haha just kidding) matter. Dark matter, first discovered in 1933 seems to be an invisible glue that binds the galaxies into clusters and those clusters into our universe. Dark energy is revealed to be the force that is pushing the universe's expansion to greater speeds still. However, with the rapid advancements of Science, astronomers are getting closer than ever to discovering the identities of these alien entities.

Big Question #2: How did life begin?.

It is said that four billion years ago, some simple chemicals came together and made up the first

molecules capable of replicating themselves. We, humans, are linked to these molecules through evolution. But HOW did those basic chemicals spontaneously arrange themselves into life? How did we get DNA? What did the earliest cells look like? Scientists still argue about what happened. Some say life began in hot pools near volcanoes while others say it's because of the meteorites that hit the sea. This book presents some insight into this.

Big Question #3: Are we alone in the universe?

Perhaps not. There has been a lot of speculation on this. Astrobiologists have been scouring the universe for places that might have given rise to life. Radio telescopes have been eavesdropping on possible alien conversations for many years and in 1977, a signal that could possibly be of an alien message has actually been heard. The next few decades are going to be exciting for any alien-hunter with more than 60 billion habitable planets in our milky way alone...and loads more in the whole universe.

Big Question #4: What makes us human?

Honestly, just looking at your DNA doesn't help- the human genome is practically 99% identical (yes, identical, the absolute same) to a chimpanzee's and, in fact, 50% to a banana's! We do, however, have bigger brains than most other animals, with three times as many neurons as a gorilla (86 billions!). Things like language, tool-use and recognising your appearance on the mirror: attributes once thought to define humans, are observed in other animals as well. It might be our culture or its effect on our genes that makes the difference. Scientists seem to think cooking and mastering the use of fire might have helped us gain big brains. Perhaps, it's our capacity for co-operation and skills trade that makes us humans.

Big Question #5: What is consciousness? (Click here to find out the 8 Big Questions on Consciousness! Honestly, I'm too lazy to summarize that)

Consciousness. Sounds simple? I think not. And apparently, scientists agree. While it's been determined that it's to do with different brain regions networked together rather than a singular part, we still do not know which parts of the brain is involved and how this neural circuitry works- the ways to figure out how consciousness emerges. This discovery might be sped up by artificial intelligence and the attempts to build a brain neuron by neuron. However, the tougher question seems to be, Why does anything have to be conscious? It could be that, by processing loads of information and integrating it as well as alternating between blocking and focusing on specific information instead of letting our senses bombard us, distinguishing between the real and unreal is possible. Going one step further, we are able to fabricate future scenarios which help in adapting and surviving.

OK that's it for today! I've already typed two bloody posts and I'm knackered. So await part 2 of this post and for now, Sleep Tight Lovelies! :D

Love,
us (: