GLASS CURIOSITIES
By Mary H
Rating: R
Summary: Sarek and Amanda debate in a curiosity shop.
Series: Pre-
Introduction
Amanda guided Sarek into a curiosity shop
while they were on one of Sarek's diplomatic missions to Earth. Shopping had
always been an interesting venture for them in the past; there was no reason to
suspect it would be different this time. Both of them had lively, interested
minds, always searching for stimulation and challenge. Amanda noticed that
Sarek was intrigued by a large glass sphere on an elaborate stand that she
recognized as a crystal ball. He soon said, "Amanda, does this object
serve a purpose, or is this just a decorative curio?"
Crystal Ball
Amanda smiled inwardly knowing what the
exchange between them would soon yield, and replied, "For most people, it
is just a decorative glass ball, but for some, this object can
be used for clairvoyance. Those who believe in the occult believe that mediums
or soothsayers can relay information about the future, present or past events
through visions displayed in the ball."
"Amanda, that is highly illogical.
Seeing into the future is not possible, nor is there a mechanism present in
this object by which images could be projected into the glass ball. If one
wants to predict the future, one should calculate the odds of an event
occurring. A crystal ball cannot help in the estimate of odds."
"The mediums do not estimate odds,
Sarek. They claim that they actually see images of the future events which they
say will happen regardless of the odds."
"There is absolutely no scientific
basis or mechanism by which this phenomenon could occur. It is physically
impossible and is based in fantasy, pretense or emotion. How can any human
accept this as even remotely possible?"
"Many humans allow their acceptance of
ideas to be influenced by emotion and what they wish to believe. If challenged
by reason or science, they can find a scientific theory or a twisted logical
explanation to defend their beliefs, that is, a scientific theory taken out of
context or logic applied inappropriately. I remember there was a resurgence of
interest in the occult when time travel was proven to be possible. It was
reasoned that, since travel into the future is possible, images of events from
the past or the future exist and are recorded in another time. Mediums claim to
have access to these images and information through the use of a crystal ball
like this one. They say that the ball can bend light, which displaces time and
space, and act as a homing device through which various images from the future
or past can pass."
"And nobody questioned the possibility
of this phenomenon existing using proven physical laws? Do humans readily accept a scientific theory
to defend a claim if they themselves do not understand the scientific theory,
or how it works? Lack of discernment usually leaves one open to making false
conclusions and deception," stated Sarek.
"You mean their eagerness to believe
in something makes them gullible so, they can easily be deceived and become
easy prey for the dishonest," offered Amanda, a smile pulling at the
corners of her mouth.
"That is a distinct possibility. Do
mediums claim to have control of the crystal ball to access a specific time and
location?"
"They say they lack control of what
appears in the crystal ball. I don't think mediums explain the mechanism by
which it functions either. Humans who accept the occult usually do so for
emotional reasons rather than logical ones. They believe in this phenomenon
because they want to. When challenged,
they will accept a very flimsy explanation."
"Do they say it is possible to alter
the course of the future and change the events displayed in the ball? If so,
the future, then, is not being revealed; only a possibility of what the future
may contain is being revealed and the probability of events can be
calculated," Sarek said.
"Crystal ball gazing is not exactly a
well-defined science Sarek. I suspect some say that what is revealed through
the crystal ball is alterable, others say it is not. If one thinks that the
events revealed in the crystal ball can be altered, one could make changes to
avoid or achieve what the crystal ball revealed."
"That is highly illogical and easily
proven false. If the future is said to be alterable, the prediction can never
be proven false which renders it ungrounded in science. It also has no value.
If one wants to avoid an event, one should always act so as to minimize the
chance of it occurring. The revelation from the ball should have no effect upon
behavior. One always has control over their future."
"Yes, but there are unforeseeable
events," replied Amanda, but she was cut off by Sarek.
"Correct indeed. The ability to
foresee unforeseeable events contradicts itself by mere definition. I believe
the term for it is oxymoron."
Amanda laughed and replied, "There are
also emotions at play. If warned of an impending unpleasant event, you could
better prepare yourself for the shock or sadness… soften
the blow, as it were. A good event foreseen could extend the pleasure of
anticipation."
"An emotional response to the unreal
is illogical and has no function or goal," replied Sarek.
"We humans can be illogical, but
fantasy and emotion do have value, Sarek. Imagination is the tool of invention.
Einstein once said, 'Imagination is more important than knowledge.’”
"Perhaps I should refine his statement
to reflect that, 'Useful and realistic imagination is more important than
knowledge'. Imagination and fantasy are not one and the same, Amanda.
Imagination and creativity can be based in logic. Logic only limits the
imagination to what is possible," replied Sarek
"Sometimes that which is thought to be
impossible is later discovered to be possible thanks to someone's vivid
imagination," Amanda countered.
"In which case, the assumption that it
was impossible was based upon poor or insufficient data, faulty analysis, or an
error in logic when forming the conclusion."
"One must allow dreams and desires to
motivate us to challenge the impossible," offered Amanda.
"Servicing the unreal has no
value," Sarek said. "Illogical emotional wants and desires have no
relevance to the concrete. I believe the human term is wishful thinking. Wishful thinking does not produce
reality."
"It can create motivation to make what
one fantasizes about a reality," said Amanda.
"Motivation to pursue that which is
beneficial is a logical thing to do. The method and goal of the pursuit though,
must be based in reality."
"Emotional needs often correspond to
logical goals," said Amanda.
Sarek looked at her doubtfully, but said
nothing. He was distracted by a display of cut-glass crystal objets d'art.
After a time, Sarek said, "The
workmanship of these objects is quite good, and the reproduction quite
accurate, but I am somewhat at a loss to understand why the artist chose to
reproduce these particular objects using such a fragile medium."
"This is a collection of Walter Joulet crystal pieces. He was known for making artistic
representations of unusual and unexpected items."
"It would seem so. Though these items
are functional, they cannot function if they're constructed out of fragile
glass such as they are. If the crystal hammer is used for what it was designed,
it will break and be unable to perform its function. The bristles of the
crystal paintbrush are glass too. They will break if used for what they are
designed. Functionality is desirable, Amanda. Removing the functionality of the
item makes it less desirable, hence less aesthetically pleasing. He could have
achieved the same level of artistry using transparent aluminum. It would have
the same desirable optical qualities and aesthetics, yet be completely
functional," Sarek said.
"Perhaps he was trying to make a
statement," replied Amanda.
Sarek looked puzzled. After a moment's
hesitation, he said, "You mean represent a philosophy or idea through an
art form?" After Amanda nodded, he continued, "But what idea could he
wish to communicate? He has used a medium which opposes its functionality. What
does that state?"
"Well you would have to ask him to be
sure, but it may be the emotional response the contradiction evokes that the
artist was trying to capture. Perhaps he felt that by separating the
functionality from the object, the viewer would see its lines, form, or
structure that he might not notice otherwise."
"Aesthetics exist when functionality
is present too. An object which is simply aesthetically pleasing has less value
that one which is aesthetically pleasing and functional," Sarek said.
Amanda couldn't help but giggle as this
statement reminded her of another analogy humans use when talking about human
male anatomy.
"What do you find amusing my
wife?" said Sarek.
"It reminds of the Earth expression, 'It's not the size of the boat, it's the motion
of the ocean.’"
Sarek looked puzzled, so she continued,
"For you desert dwelling Vulcans, it would go, 'It's not the size of the dune, it's the shifting of the sand.’"
"Whatever can you be referring to,
Amanda? I see no logical connection to our conversation. How can your thoughts
progress from boats and sand dunes to crystal objects and functionality?"
Amanda didn't answer. She simply smiled
which left Sarek even more confused. She steered Sarek to the next object on
the shelf, which was a decorative hourglass.
Hourglass
After studying the object for a while Sarek
said, "I am uncertain as to the purpose of this item. Experience tells me
that it could be used for some Earth recreational game. Logic indicates it
could serve to function as a sort of primitive timer."
Amanda answered, "It is an hourglass."
"So the completion of the sand falling
from one side to the other represents a rough and imprecise estimate of the
passage of an hour?" asked Sarek.
"They aren't that imprecise,
except to you precision-obsessed Vulcans. They do give a good approximation of
when an hour has gone by."
"But, there are several things that
can affect the flow of the sand and hence influence the amount of time passing
before all the sand has fallen," Sarek said. "Look. Some of the sand
is already clinging to the side of the glass, and some blockage could happen
randomly."
"Then just tap it like this,"
said Amanda as she gently tapped the hourglass and prodded the recalcitrant
grains of sand to join the rest.
"Is there a standard procedure for
correctly using this device?"
"I doubt there is a standard procedure
for using an hourglass. It's pretty self-evident."
"Imprecise specifications and a lack
of standards for usage could have a compound effect upon the measurement of
time," Sarek said.
Amanda replied, 'This isn't used to
establish standardized time, or when high accuracy is needed."
Sarek looked satisfied with this
explanation, but soon looked confused and said, "But, Amanda, I can see
using only casual observation, and rough calculation that the sand will finish
falling before an hour has passed."
"I suppose this one is not an hour
long hourglass, but measures another increment of time, a half-hour or
something like that."
"So it is called an hourglass even
though it does not necessarily measure the passage of a standard hour?"
"It is used to establish the passage
of time that it was manufactured to measure."
"Time is constantly passing. One
doesn't need an hourglass to establish that. The duration which passes, and is
which is measured by this device, seems to have no standard or
definition." Sarek took out his PADD and read: Hourglass - An hourglass
measures the passage of an hour or a few minutes of time, and replied,
"This device makes no sense. It is not standardized, or very accurate. It
only measures the passage of a unit of time unique to itself. Highly illogical
since no conclusions can be drawn from what it attempts to measure."
"Instead of thinking of it as a time
piece, think of it as a timer. I have seen some hourglasses used as a timer to
cook eggs to a specific doneness for example."
"But if it only measures the passage
of one time increment, the doneness cannot vary between individual
tastes," Sarek replied.
"Some of them have markings along the
glass which display the passage of subunits," Amanda said.
"By watching the level of sand drop to
the calibration mark, it could indicate the passage of a subunit; but since it
is not level, it is only a very rough estimate. Why not just watch a
clock?"
"Maybe they are just pretty, Sarek. We
humans find watching the slow, rhythmic falling of the sands in an hourglass to
be pleasing and comforting," she said exasperatedly.
Sarek considered this and said, "Do
you find the falling of water, perhaps occurring at a waterfall to be pleasing
and comforting as well?"
"Yes, we do. Many humans enjoy and seek
out waterfalls."
"At least there is consistency to the
illogic. Do you obtain pleasure from watching this hourglass?"
Opaque Context
Amanda couldn't help but to be reminded of
their previous discussion, and decided to pursue it this time.
"Of course, but it's the shifting of
the sands that gives pleasure, not the hourglass itself. It's the same
for intimate physical relations. It's
not the size of the boat, but the motion of the ocean that gives
pleasure. Some humans associate certain aesthetic components of substance, like
size, with duration and superior functional ability"
Sarek was married to human. Over time, he
had become familiar with their sexuality and customs, so he was able to follow
her analogy through the hints she had just provided. After a quick analysis,
Sarek replied, "Functionality and substance depend on each other, but the
aesthetics associated with form, line, size, or shape are relative to the
individual; therefore, based in emotion. Only an illogical human would
associate the aesthetics of substance with its functionality. Like the Walter Joulet crystal pieces, substance has no value without
functionality."
"Do you find satisfaction with my
hourglass, Sarek?" Amanda asked softly.
Sarek looked confused and said, "I am
at a loss. My experience with human ways suggests that you are making a sexual
reference in this analogy. I assumed your 'boat' and 'hourglass' referred to
male anatomy."
"Many people refer to the female
figure as an hourglass, with the shape often associated with sexual aesthetics,
too."
"When you derive pleasure from the
hourglass, is it the shifting of the sands that pleases or is it the size of
the mounds of sand at the bottom and top that please?" asked Sarek.
Amanda smiled and said, "One cannot
have the shifting of the sands without sand, but enjoyment of it is irrelevant
to the size of the sand mounds in the top or bottom. Functionality and
substance are intertwined and essential, but aesthetics are emotional,
personal, and nonessential to how well it functions."
Sarek raised an eyebrow and said, "I
will never understand the human capacity or desire to steer any conversation to
one of a sexual nature."
Amanda looked up at him innocently and
replied, "I wouldn't steer the conversation in that direction with anyone
but you, Sarek. It is because I love you. I know it's not logical, but we
humans, like Vulcans, need a connection to our spouses. We need intimate
contact to stay close to, in touch with, and be knowledgeable of our mates.
Vulcans are telepathic. They can achieve mental closeness and awareness through
the mental bonds established between mates. We humans don't have such a
capacity, so our biology evolved to achieve the awareness, closeness, and
communication through sexual relations instead."
"Logical," replied Sarek,
nodding.
Amanda struggled to control herself from
laughing out loud. Living amongst Vulcans, she had learned to control her
emotions even in the toughest situations… and this was one of them. Since they
had come into the curiosity shop, Sarek had been pointing out to her the many
illogical ways of humans. He found the items in the shop, designed by humans,
to be illogical and he had dismissed all her explanations for human behavior as
illogical, and solely derived from emotion. So, she was very amused by Sarek's
easy acceptance of her flimsy explanation for her desire to have sexual
relations with him.
Amanda was like any wife who was deeply in
love with her husband. She wanted to make love with him to establish and
maintain intimacy and unity, for physical pleasure, and for emotional needs as
well. Sarek, a Vulcan male, did not have the sex drive that a human male has,
except during pon farr when his sex drive went off the charts. He did not have
the need for intimacy since it was obtained through the mental bond, and
Vulcans do not have emotional needs like a human has.
Sexual relations are physically pleasurable
to both humans and Vulcans anytime, but Vulcans place little value upon the
pursuit of physical activities for mere pleasure. It interferes with logic.
Behavior, they reason, should serve a purpose, and provide a logical function
toward the pursuit of logical and beneficial goals. For Vulcans, there was no
logical reason or logical goal to have sexual relations outside of pon farr.
Early in their marriage Amanda had found a
solution to their potential sexual incompatibility. Sex was pleasurable for
both of them. She simply had to make it logical as well, to find a useful
purpose for partaking in this pleasurable activity.
At the beginning it was hard to find
logical reasons to justify her desire as a logical need to make
love with him. Over time though, she could see that her justifications were
getting flimsier and weaker in logic, yet Sarek didn't seem to notice. He soon
accepted her rationalizations easier than the gullible accept crystal ball
predictions. Like the gullible ones, he accepted without analysis because,
though he didn't realize it, he wanted to believe her justification. If he
questioned her, he was easily convinced of the logic in her reasoning.
Amanda was careful not to point out how
fuzzy her logic had become, or that Sarek was easily deceived because he wanted
to be. She was like the mediums deceiving the gullible, a trait which is hard
to fathom even existing in a Vulcan, but the shared pleasure of their physical
intimacy, like the allure of knowing the future, became a strong inducement for
believing. Contrary to what Sarek claimed, wishful thinking did produce reality; it had produced their very
real intimate, physical relationship.
Sarek had said that, “An object which is simply
aesthetically pleasing has less value that one which is aesthetically pleasing
and functional.”
Amanda carefully stored this remark, that Sarek had derived from logic, in her head for
use should she ever find the need to justify intimate relations again. However, she smiled to herself thinking that
it probably would never be used. As poor
as her logical justifications had become over time, they still had proved to be
acceptable to him. She soon would only
need to specify which day of the week it was for it to be considered logical to
be intimate.
Amanda thought of all the joy her marriage
had brought her, as opposed to the doubt others believed of her happiness. If
only they knew what she knew…
She purchased the hourglass as a reminder
of their conversation today, and to remind her that, as she aged and time
changed her hourglass figure, the sands would still shift just as beautifully.