Chapter 1: A Cozy Atmosphere

As we transition from the kitchen to the living room, I take a moment to appreciate my surroundings. The space is inviting, adorned with curtains, carpets, and ample wood in the wall panels, ceiling beams, and flooring. A gentle fire crackles in the fireplace, and the warmth of hot beverages enhances the homely ambiance, complemented by the laughter of children.

This scene brings to mind a poem by A. A. Milne (the creator of Winnie-the-Pooh) titled The Wrong House. The essence of the poem suggests that a simple, cherished home like this one can be more fulfilling than larger, lavish houses that feel cold and unwelcoming. This sentiment could also apply to aspects of life such as careers, relationships, or existence itself.

"Hey Joe, can I ask you something about the tides here?" I inquire.

"Of course," he replies.

"High tide occurs twice daily, right?"

"Exactly."

"When the moon is overhead, it pulls the ocean's waters causing a high tide, but then there's another high tide 12 hours later when the moon is on the opposite side of the Earth. What's the reason for that?"

"Good question! Are you familiar with orbits, barycenters, and those concepts?"

"I recently learned about barycenters—it's the center of mass between two celestial bodies, like the Sun and Jupiter, and both orbit around that point, correct?"

"Right! There's a similar point between the Earth and the Moon as well. But let’s step back for a moment. Why do things orbit? Why do satellites circle the Earth?"

"I’m not sure."

Joe shifts from his relaxed demeanor to that of a serious professor, gesturing as he explains: "There are two forces at play: Gravity pulls the satellite towards Earth, but without an opposing force, it would simply fall. That opposing force is the satellite's velocity, which remains relatively constant in space. If gravity were to cease suddenly, the satellite would drift into space. Conversely, if the satellite halted its sideways motion, it would plummet to Earth. So, you have these two forces, equal in strength yet opposite in direction, maintaining stable orbits."

"I thought that opposing force was called 'centrifugal force.'"

"That's another way to describe it. It occurs when something is rotating but can't escape due to an opposing force, such as a tether. In this case, it's gravity. In essence, the Earth and the Moon revolve around a common point, the barycenter. Gravity draws them together, while centrifugal force pushes them apart. Similar forces act on Earth’s atmosphere and oceans. The water nearest the Moon is drawn toward it by its gravitational pull, while the water on the opposite side is pushed away due to centrifugal force. You could also visualize it as the oceans forming an egg shape around the Earth, with the pointed ends facing towards and away from the Moon, while the Earth spins within like the yolk. Thus, high tide occurs when your location aligns with the high points of this egg shape."

I attempt to visualize this, then add, "So high tide happens every 12 hours because it takes 24 hours for a complete rotation, and there are two high points on the egg?"

"Correct, though it’s slightly over a 12-hour cycle."

"And why is that?"

"I’m not exactly sure. It’s delayed by about 50 minutes daily."

After contemplating this, I suggest, "Could it be because the Moon isn't stationary? It moves around the Earth."

"That could be a factor, as the Moon influences the tides," he acknowledges. "I should have this knowledge. I possess a Micmac calendar that’s based on lunar cycles."

"I didn't realize they had a lunar calendar."

"Absolutely! Many ancient cultures had lunar calendars, including Indigenous peoples, Muslims, Jews, and likely others."

Chapter 2: Roles in Society

The eldest child sits at the table, engrossed in her homework, pencil in hand. Suddenly, she pauses, placing her pencil down in frustration. "This doesn’t seem right. The answer I calculated is 2.333333!"

"That does seem suspicious," her father responds. "Try it again; one of your steps may be off. Always approach fractions with caution—whole numbers are more reliable."

Meanwhile, the youngest sits in a high chair, enjoying a bowl of halved grapes. She carefully lifts each piece to her mouth, occasionally tossing one to the family dog, who eagerly catches it mid-flight.

Joe adds slices of banana to her plate and remarks, "Isn't she remarkable? She's our little scientist."

"How can you tell?" I inquire.

"It's about her trajectory. Each of us plays a role in society, and since we don't have a scientist yet, it must be her, I think."

"Is that what your daughter meant by Indian philosophy?"

Joe appears thoughtful. "I can’t speak to Indian philosophy, but consider this: We all work for ourselves, yet simultaneously contribute to our community. It’s fascinating how by fulfilling our own needs, we sustain the fabric of society, each of us occupying an essential role, be it a waste collector, lawyer, scientist, or poet. Unconsciously, we fulfill our societal roles."

I ponder this, then propose, "Perhaps it’s the opposite—by each pursuing our individual paths, we collectively shape society."

"What do you mean by that?"

"It's like suggesting it’s mere happenstance that the sun shines during the day. 'Day' is defined by sunlight. Similarly, 'society' is defined by its people and their actions."

"Oh."

"Go on."

"Forget it—I need to reconsider that idea."

"No, continue! I’m eager to hear more."

Joe leans back, taking a deep breath. "Alright, here it goes. I’ve categorized societal roles. We have current needs and future needs as one division, and another dividing material needs from spiritual needs. This gives us four categories. The first category meets our immediate material needs. Are you following along?"

"Absolutely," I respond, though I silently hope he isn’t constructing a new caste system.

"The first category comprises those fulfilling our basic current necessities: food, shelter, healthcare, safety, and so forth. This sustains the world, and most people work in these areas: grocers, bankers, builders, doctors, factory workers, and police. I’d say my eldest fits here—she’s a doer."

I glance at his daughter, who’s returned to her studies. Perhaps she found an error in her calculations, or perhaps she’s accepted that not everything in life consists solely of whole numbers. Or maybe she’s just heard this speech countless times.

Joe continues, "The second category encompasses current spiritual needs—entertainment, which includes athletes, journalists, filmmakers, and perhaps politicians. For example, my son is a swimmer. Artists, writers, and composers also fit here, though you could argue they cater to future needs as well. While this group isn’t essential for survival, life would certainly lack flavor without them."

"The third group includes those who provide material needs for the future, like inventors, scientists, and city planners. These are the visionaries who drive progress. Without them, we’d still be living in caves and foraging for food."

"And lastly, the smallest group addresses spiritual needs for the future. How many artists and composers have left a lasting legacy through the ages? Philosophers, too. You see, we visionaries may not gain much respect in our time, but future generations remember us," he concludes with a smile, though I wonder if he’s jesting.

"So, you see yourself in that last category?"

"Well, we all wish to leave a legacy, right? I might not be a scientist, so I suppose that positions me as a philosopher—I have my musings. Plus, I have my children, who are destined for greatness."

"So that's where the youngest comes in?"

"We must leave something for the next generation, don’t you think?"

As much as I'd like to dismiss his philosophy, I can’t deny my desire to leave a mark for those who come after. Do I belong in that last category as well?

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