Managing the Universe
KKeeping the rotation of the earth around the sun is a fantastic feat not to be underestimated . But now consider one more factor in our amazing universe : the balance of atmospheric gases . The human body can only survive with the exact percentage of oxygen . Again let us imagine what might happen if we faced any of those problems . where we tampered with this delicate balance for the sake of optimising our weapons technology etc . Consider the scenario where a chemical chain reaction was started with an experiment in a factory where pesticides were produced .
The early morning talk show your wife is watching from under covers is suddenly interrupted . An overcrowded hospital appears with a reporter wearing an oxygen tank . A doctor also with an oxygen tank stands among the crowd trying to get into a local hospital . Another doctor and a prominent geologist stands on either side of the reporter .
“ Doctor , can you tell us what ’ s going on ?”
The doctor grimly replies , “ Hundreds are dying in all our hospitals everywhere .”
The geologist adjusts his spectacles . “ The fact is that the composition of the atmosphere is gradually changing . Too much oxygen is in the air !”
The doctor is on again . The reporter asks , “ Besides respiratory problems what ’ s going on , doc ?”
“ An increase in heart and kidney problems . In fact , all body functions are speeding up .”
The scene changes to a pastor in a crowd outside the New Hope Church on 4th Avenue . The reporter asks , “ Pastor Henry , what ’ s happening ?”
The pastor replies , “ People are swarming into the nearest Churches seeking God !”
If you are the strong kind of man , you can take any difficult news , but suddenly your wife screams hysterically . She dashes out of bed in her night clothes and grabs hold of your hands , “ Honey , we ’ ve got to get oxygen tanks !”
As a college student you had read a statement by the brilliant Russian-born theoretical physicist , George Gamow , that said that the gases in the atmosphere are made up of about 78 parts nitrogen and 21 parts oxygen . Although the thickness may vary from valley to mountain top , the ratio remains the same .
You remember reading that too much nitrogen in the atmosphere slows down the normal functions of the body and causes death . Too much oxygen is also harmful , increasing the activities of the body to such a pace that life could not last long . [ 1 ]
You surmise that this ratio could not have developed by accident . You know from your study of chemistry that most accidents in chemistry usually result in explosions , especially as nitrogen is the basic ingredient of practically every explosive .
Hurriedly you forget about shaving and
rush to the car with your wife just as she is . You step on the gas pedal and the car speeds out of the driveway with the tires screeching .
After purchasing oxygen tanks , you return home . With the change in the atmosphere , major problems emerge .
From knowledge of geography and of people who live at higher altitudes , you decide to evacuate at once , to leave all earthly possessions and head for the highest place on the planet . Two hours later with oxygen tanks you fly out to a remote village high in the mountains of Tibet .
As you descend on Tibetan soil , from your iphone you clicked on to live news only to hear closing words of the reporter , “ Friends , due to unforeseen atmospheric weather changes , we regret that for our team ’ s safety we are forced to sign off immediately ! God must have been protecting us all this time !” Click !
Frank Allen was a biophysicist who specialized in the scientific study of visual processes , liquid air production , and glandular mutations . He supported the balance factor in an article entitled “ The Origin of the World - by Chance
24 | SHARE | MAGAZINE October - December 2017