Sean Conaway on time, space, and why we should all read (or reread) Calvino
by Fringe Magazine • 04.09.2012Some folks consider this notion bleak, that it reduces time to meaninglessness, but taking a long view, that it took two generations of stars to create conditions suitable for life—creatures able to look back to the beginning and peer into the future—is something awesome and humbling. At least, Italo Calvino thought so, and spent the last half of his life playfully fusing science to human (and not so human) desire and folly, proving that, whether intended or not, our capacity to question and imagine, to marvel, is a rich creation indeed.
Calvino understood modern science as a continuation of the way our ancestors attached myths to stars, told time by them, used them to explain how the world began and how it will end. His Cosmicomics illustrate how physics and literature are two manifestations of the same impulse—to observe and attempt to explain, to reel out our imaginations until they travel between galaxies. It’s with a certain amount of embarrassment that I introduce my story, “All Towards One Point.” Who am I to write a sequel to “All at One Point?” A hack, I fear, but a humble one, trying only to offer a respectful (if clumsy) homage rather than cheap knock-off to a writer I consider a master and sage. At the very least, I hope it encourages readers to revisit the real deal, and explore with him the strange wonders of the universe.
come to think of it, i think it IS time to revisit some calvino- one of my favorites, as well. i like the sentiment of “fusing science . . . to desire and folly,” and find it to be an apt pointer to the bigger picture that he painted. well done
just found the fringe – a great pleasure
The moderns told him to explain the future, or at least bring it back so the present could have another crack at shaping its consequences…it was a theory of nothing, but one where less was more then whatever was produced by their differences. All states of Grace were on notice: God would have to retract his promises for an afterlife if singularities were going to continue. Their existence depended on a new form of human physics – creation points with a no-return policy that began before being came into being. One wanted a world of strange play that offered views of things not made by impulsive creatures – a science of sequels that explored the cheapest sides of lust. And illustrated, however clumsy, a love of love’s greatest fear: unimaginative writing.
just found the fringe – a great pleasure to read your piece – hope you enjoy my ‘colage’
The moderns told him to explain the future, or at least bring it back so the present could have another crack at shaping its consequences…it was a theory of nothing, but one where less was more then anything was produced by differences. All states of Grace were on notice: God would have to retract his promises for an afterlife if singularities were going to continue. Existence would depend on a new form of physics: human creation points with a no-return policy. But before beings came into being, one needed a world of strange play that offered views of things not made by impulsive creatures: a science of sequels that explored the cheapest sides of lust. And illustrated, however clumsily, a love of love’s greatest fear: unimaginative writing.