Sometime just over 2000 years ago, the Roman poet, philosopher and scientist Lucretius wrote a book in verse form called On the Nature of the Universe. Despite having no access to microscopes, telescopes, particle accelerators or any of the props of 21st century physicists and biologists, Lucretius studied, analysed and pronounced on what makes the universe and the place of all living creatures and elements (tangible and philosophical) in it. From what we now think we know, he got a lot of things right.
I love thinking about the universe, and especially the things I don’t understand. The natural world in its complexity is my inspiration and challenge. I like that Lucretius didn’t hesitate to speculate, theorise, and link his ideas to his Epicurean philosophy – and to everyday life. I love the way he went off at tangents and the broad sweep of his approach. When I write here, expect lots of tangents, no adherence to rules of art or science, but a constant collaboration between disciplines and ideas. I will sometimes be wrong, innaccurate or uninformed. I won’t be worrying about that.
Just a wide range range of comments on nature, the universe….and the nature of the universe.
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