Page 13 - Unlikely Stories 4

The Discontinuator

trip. What’s left behind for that brief slice of spacetime will be a true
vacuum: instrumentation on all sides will record its—existence, if you
will—by noting the cessation of radiation at all frequencies passing
through it, instead bouncing off its outer boundary. Does that satisfy
your curiosity, Mr. Gregorian?”
Killeton stopped talking long enough to take another bite of his
sandwich. But several bites remained, if its edibility did not decline.
“Yes. It does, Dr. Killeton. Let me ask you two questions: first, are
you aware of any hazards your experiment might create?”
The professor winced mid-mastication and swallowed quickly.
“Is that who you are? One of those cranks who thinks I’m going to
create a black hole that will quickly swallow the earth like a gigantic
vacuum cleaner? The researchers at CERN have had to deal with that
sort of baseless fear. No, no hazards: everything and everyone is
shielded. The whole thing will be over in less than a millisecond.”
“I see. Then here is my second question. I’m sure you know that
physics considers achieving a perfect vacuum impossible. Obviously
you don’t agree. Why not?”
“That, as far as I am concerned, is a question for a philosopher,
not a scientist.”
“I am that philosopher. I believe I can answer both questions, but
not with your answers.”
Dr. Killeton regarded his Styrofoam platter. “I’ve lost my appetite.
Please make it brief.” He looked at his watch.
“Fine. The short version.” Gregorian leaned forward, gazing
intently at the physicist. “First, let us agree on what might constitute
an absolute finite vacuum: an emptiness enclosed by non-vacuum. Is,
then, non-vacuum already devoid of such holes? If so, then nature
does indeed abhor a vacuum, and the apeiron is real.”
“That’s the second strange word you’ve said: I thought you wanted
to agree on terms.”
“Yes, sorry. It is common enough in philosophy. The analogue in
your world is the real continuum, the unbroken foundational
substance of monism. Physics abandoned considering it following a
misinterpretation of the Michelson-Morley experiment more than a
century ago.”
“Misunderstanding? Really, sir!”
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