The Disordered Cosmos

Introduction: Our Shared Origin in the Stars

The universe began with a period of rapid expansion that smoothed everything out, yet tiny quantum fluctuations allowed matter to emerge from nothing. Through a process called baryogenesis, particles formed the building blocks of everything we see today. Stars eventually ignited, lived their long lives, and died in massive explosions known as supernovae. These explosions forged the heavy elements, like carbon and oxygen, that make up our bodies. Every human being, regardless of their background or the color of their skin, is composed of this same ancient star stuff.

While we often view the universe as something separate from ourselves, we are physically and historically bound to it. For example, our Milky Way galaxy is currently on a long-term path to merge with the Andromeda galaxy. This is not a violent car crash but a slow, graceful reorganization of stars and gas guided by gravity. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein notes that as we look outward at these cosmic events, we are also looking inward. Our perspective is shaped by our location in the universe and our specific history on Earth.

For many, the question of where they belong is complicated by history. Prescod-Weinstein describes how her own identity is a tapestry of West African, Caribbean, and Jewish roots, shaped by the displacement of her ancestors through slavery and colonization. As a child, she was driven by a deep curiosity to understand why mathematics could describe the universe so perfectly. She decided to become a theoretical physicist at age ten, but she soon realized that the laws of nature could not be separated from the laws of society.

In physics, a phase transition occurs when a substance changes form, such as water turning into ice or a star collapsing into a dense new state. Similarly, Prescod-Weinstein experienced her own intellectual phase transitions, moving from a child who loved the stars to a professional physicist who recognizes that science is a human endeavor. The community of science is not a neutral space; it is impacted by the same social barriers found everywhere else. To truly appreciate the feeling of awe at the cosmos, one must also confront the mundane forces of oppression that prevent many people from participating in that wonder.

Ultimately, the study of the universe is about more than just equations; it is about the right to be curious. Throughout history, even under the most oppressive conditions, people have looked at the night sky and wondered about their place in it. True freedom means creating a world where every child has the space to self-actualize and explore the mysteries of particle physics without having to fight for their basic humanity. By connecting our scientific pursuits to our social responsibilities, we can honor our ancestors and ensure the stars belong to everyone.