Louis Roney: Wondering as we're wandering

• Did God create man? Or, did man create God? There are scientists among us who believe that the universe began with something called a “singularity,” a speck of infinite mass without dimensions. Nothing was everything, that is. And everything that ever was, or shall be, was contained in this infinitely small speck. I buy this idea, although I would ask you not to expect me to explain it.

Some people might consider this singularity to be ”God.” That’s OK with me since without it, there would be no creation of anything. The Earth is but a speck in the universe, and I am but a fleck on a speck. It is not given to us to know the infinite, for we are stuck with small minds that can never escape their own finite relativity. Even Einstein admitted his fatal limitations — when asked if he believed in God, he could only answer, “Well, I didn’t make myself.”

Scientists argue as to whether the universe, far enough out, comes to an end. The more we perfect our telescopes, the more we find things emanating from the dark void. Light travels at 186,000 miles a second. We know that the light we perceive as being far out in the universe started to travel to us billions of years ago, from sources that may no longer even exist. Things are certainly not located where our human eyes perceive them.

We peculiar creatures have come to realize that we shall never understand everything about the universe, infinity, or the exact nature of God. Karl Marx called religion “the opiate of the masses.” An old folk song goes, “I wonder as I wander out under the sky.” If “faith” does it for you, don’t knock it, but go on applying loveable human qualities to the creator and enjoy your life while doing so. Otherwise wander on wondering like the rest of us…

• There are those among us who wonder why we elected Obama once, and were slightly astounded when he got a second nod. As his second term progresses, don’t be surprised if his familiarity breeds contempt and his popularity wanes.

• Old time New York Yankees catcher Yogi Berra cemented his niche in history by saying such things as — when being asked, “What time is it?” he answered, “You mean now?”

Great philosophers have perennially pondered the use of the word “now,” which is no longer “now” once you have uttered it. It’s done. It’s over. It becomes “then” the moment you say it.

About Roney: Harvard’42—Distinguished Prof, Em.—UCF 2004 Fla. Alliance for the Arts award (Assisted by beautiful wife Joy Roney)

In the days before I decided to see what was north of the St. Johns River, I was one of the obedient captives in Winter Park public schools. There was, I had heard, lots of stuff going on up north and across the big ocean from New Smyrna. One thing I found out for sure is that human curiosity grows from experience to experience — every one opening a door to myriad others. There is no “now” where one can stop and rest on his laurels. Incidentally, laurels are things I have never been able to locate to rest on. And is the future “ahead” or “up” or “down?” I just hope I have one at all, wherever it is!

• How many homeowners would be suing me today if I had decided to become a plumber? Many a guy is now being sued by the woman he married just because he pledged to make a husband out of himself!