Chapter 1: The Paradox of Certainty

In a world where we often crave certainty, it's essential to recognize that those who claim to have all the answers may be just as lost as the rest of us.

“Certainty blinds us to our own paralysis.”

— Think Like A Rocket Scientist, Ozan Varol

Humans frequently struggle with the unknown, feeling anxiety when faced with uncertainty. We yearn for the clarity that figures like Einstein or Ken Jennings might seem to possess. I can certainly relate, as I'm sure you can too.

With advancements in technology, we’ve gained remarkable control over our lives. From smart TVs that record shows automatically to cars with individual climate control, and even beds that adjust to our preferred firmness, we are accustomed to having our needs met at the push of a button. Virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa provide instant answers and services with mere voice commands.

Given this backdrop, it's no wonder that a lack of control can induce feelings of anxiety. We have become addicted to immediate knowledge and certainty. However, throughout history, humans have navigated through uncertainty. The individuals we perceive as all-knowing often grappled with confusion and doubt.

The so-called experts we admire—those who appear to have everything figured out—are snapshots of specific moments in their journeys. Even the most brilliant minds faced significant challenges on their paths to discovery. Consider Isaac Newton, who introduced the concept of gravity; Zeno of Citium, the founder of stoicism; or the rocket scientists who developed the technology to explore space.

These figures were not immune to uncertainty; rather, it fueled their quests for knowledge. Let’s take a closer look at these pioneers and their journeys through the unknown.

Section 1.1: Isaac Newton: More Than Gravity

Sir Isaac Newton is often heralded as the father of modern physics and calculus. The iconic story of an apple falling on his head has become a symbol of sudden insight. However, his breakthroughs were not the result of mere "eureka" moments.

In reality, Newton spent years exploring and experimenting. Lesser-known is his interest in alchemy, a practice considered pseudoscience today. Alchemists, believing they could transform base metals into gold, were driven by a mix of myth and early scientific inquiry.

As outlined in an article by Jane Bosveld in Discovery Magazine, chemist Lawrence Principe uncovered a document written by Newton containing a recipe for a philosopher’s stone. This discovery reveals that while Newton was revolutionizing physics, he was also involved in the mystical quest to turn lead into gold—hardly the image of a flawless genius.

Chapter 2: The Unpredictability of Rocket Science

The first video titled "You Don't Have All The Answers!" delves into the complexities of navigating uncertainty in our lives.

Rocket science is often associated with precision, yet Ozan Varol, in his book, reveals that significant uncertainty exists even in this field. During the Mars Lander project, engineers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory faced a 12-minute communication delay with spacecraft—a constant reminder of their limited control.

Engineers, despite their mathematical expertise, often rely on superstition and luck, such as eating peanuts during missions due to a past success. The unpredictability of space exploration underscores that even in the most rigorous scientific environments, there is no absolute certainty.

The second video titled "Do I have to be number one? | Thich Nhat Hanh answers questions" offers insights into the value of accepting uncertainty in our lives.