Is there a "Me" gene? Science is amazing in its progress nowadays. The Human Genome Project is a quantum leap in human biology. However, I consider all the information contained in the human genome and I have to wax skeptical when it comes to a fundamental question I have. You see, I can understand how DNA works and how it created human beings. I understand that this is why there are billions of humans running around. What I don't understand is, Why am I STUCK INSIDE this slab of meat? Is my awareness a construct of my physical body?

This is important to me because I see through only my eyes, breathe only through my lungs, feel only through my flesh. My flesh has a shelf-life. I'm gonna die! Yikes. Funny, but I don't FEEL mortal.

Science has opened a window for me, however, by delving deeply into physics. You see, when you speak in terms of Multiverse, multidimensionality and the like, walk through String, 'brane and M theories, you start to perceive there are places for your "Me" to go after your body is done. According to M, it's possible that my so-called body is a 3D representation of only a PORTION of my 11D form. This, in theory, means that I've got 8 more dimensions where my existence is expressed! Cool, indeed. Infinite-dimensionality theories suggest there are infinite physical me units available for my "Me" to go. Also pretty cool.

Consider this: The current state of physics indicates that if you fall into a Black Hole, people watching you would see you absolutely obliterated. However, the same science also indicates that YOUR perspective is quite different, with you not noticing any of this annihilation at all but continuing onward in your journey to SOMEWHERE ELSE. No kidding! You just leave a strangely Heizenbergian smudge on the event horizon of the Black Hole in this universe as you pass through.

Consider also: Shroedinger indicates that the physical universe is unspecified until it is examined, at which point the physical universe's "state" is set. What's really strange is that, once this state is fixed, it then has ALWAYS been fixed - indicating this fixing act can affect the past as well as the future. Spooky, but relevant because if time is that fluid, who's to say you ever really died completely? It's almost like, once you've existed, there's no takebacks! Your effect on the universe is permanent.

Waxing religious: Strange how, when you consider the multidimensionality of the Multiverse, you not only find a place for your "Me" to go but you also find a place for God to exist. I'm not judging; I'm just saying. Genesis talks about parting the waters to create the firmament and other stuff. Very excellent allusion to defining the Multiverse and installing our own spacetime continuum into the deal. You remember I said I understand DNA? This means I understand my body is the result of a chemical reaction that has occurred unbroken for possibly billions of years. How unlikely is that! I have to say at this point that I do happen to believe in God, but I'm not particularly fond of religion. It's obvious to me that religion is a Man thing. It's not perfect. It causes both harm and help. To me, religion is a wash and it's the faith that is important. But I digress....

Ultimately, it seems that Existence is greater than the universe we perceive. This is really neat because passing from this existence might very truly mean awakening in a different existential state; an expanded frameset, if you will. Or not. Maybe believing is the Shroedinger equivalent of fixing your state of future existence.

I know I'm becoming ethereal in this article, and it won't make sense to many. All I can say is, I'm sleeping better these days.

Learn more about this author, William Sober.
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