Not long ago, while walking back to my office after teaching, I passed in front of a classroom and happened to hear a colleague beginning her own class with these words: "And that's the beauty of symmetric frequencies."
I have no idea what "symmetric frequencies" are. In fact, those are two concepts I cannot associate. Symmetry to me is something graphic or visual, while frequency is a notion that I connect with either physics or statistics. In what field could anyone use these two such disparate concepts together?
Of course, I have no clue. But then, that's also the beauty of working where I do: a place of instruction and learning in which people, whose fields are incredibly divergent, congregate with the exclusive purpose of teaching and sharing their knowledge. Who knows? Maybe as a result of voicing my ignorance about "symmetric frequencies," a colleague will explain its meaning to me. But in the meantime, I am amazed at the vastness of the universe and the extent of my ignorance -- and it only makes me wish to reduce it. Of course, I could Google "symmetric frequencies" but something in me resists the impulse. Why? Part of the mystery of life, hopes that I learn about it later? Who knows, but I'll continue walking by these classrooms, ready to catch phrases and ideas that I may or may not know… because that's a big part of the fun of living.
I am Francisco Solares-Larrave, and this is my perspective.
