First and foremost I would like to second the suggestion to keep
this discussion on list. Or as an alternative, if the ideas could be
collected on a web page. The math is out a my league also, but I would
like the opportunity to try to digest it.
As far as science and mystery go, I also don't see why they can't go
together. From my experience, those who try to explain things
scientifically fall into one of two groups. The stereotype: EVERYTHING
can be explained through science, if only one had all of the data and
the proper formulas. And the other group, which doesn't get as much
attention: uses science as a tool to gain insight into a rich and
interesting world. The best example that I know of from this second
group is Leonardo di Vinci. Somewhere I read that di Vinci had said
that as a boy he use to go exploring in the woods, and upon finding a
cave which he had never seen before he would ask himself what wondrous
things might lay within this cave. It's not unusual to find a scientist
who is in awe of the universe.
Unfortunately, many people who are drawn to the mystery of life, and
are not drawn to science, have seen science represented too much by the
first group. And have drawn the conclusion that the mysteries of life
and science don't go together. As another example taken from a
prominent scientist: Einstein, when he got stuck trying to figure out a
difficult problem is said to have asked himself 'How would God have
done this'.
If, through the application of science, someone can find a way to
expand the capabilities of the shakuhachi, why not apply it.
Fundamentally, how is that any different that the first shakuhachi maker
that used buffalo horn to replace the natural bamboo utaguchi.
If someone else is able to make good shakuhachi through intuition,
that's wonderful. Let's have as wide a selection of shakuhachi as we
can. Each maker has a gift, let him/her use it.
Paul
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