Recap

Borders of Reality

Dr. Cliff Pickover, author of thirty acclaimed books, discussed his latest Sex, Drugs, Einstein, and Elves, which explores the borderlands of science and reality. We are limited in our understanding of reality by the size and capacities of our brain, he noted, and he wondered what aspects of the universe might be shielded from us.

Time travel may eventually be developed, said Pickover, but when a person goes back in time they may be visiting a slightly different universe. Parallel universes are increasingly thought to be possible by theoretical physicists, and scientists could one day possibly deduce the presence of some of them by studying gravitational effects, he explained.

Pickover has been fascinated by his research into the effects of the drug DMT. Users often report similar experiences of being engulfed into a sparkling city or palace that is inhabited by intelligent "machine elves." He has not drawn a conclusion as to whether the beings exist independently or are generated by the mind. He also addressed unusual psychiatric and visual ailments such as Charles Bonnet syndrome, where people report seeing beings from another world, and Capgras Syndrome, where loved ones appear to be imposters.

Related Articles

Reality Carnival

Among his many endeavors, Cliff Pickover is the editor of RealityCarnival.com, a site that features astounding news and curiosities. Readers are also invited to submit and discuss stories there.