Dillard sees a symbolic connection between quantum mechanics and observing life at Tinker Creek. Dillard discusses the "Principle of Indeterminacy," which basically states that one can not know both the velocity and the position of a particle. In the same way, Dillard says that a muskrat is like an electron. One can never know exactly where it may be. Scientists can not actually observe a particle directly. They can only observe the effects of their observations. The principle of indeterminacy invalidates the notion of cause and effect. Dillard writes that for many physicists, the realization that cause and effect is no longer valid leads the physicists to mysticism. Dillard believes that in applying this principle to the physical world, the logical conclusion is that "it is all touch and go."
Dillard writes.....
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