Having a layman's curious interest in the full spectrum of science related to cosmology, astrophysics, quantum theory, and the great scientific minds associated; the following is a fictional story of one research scientist's account of what is to be the greatest discovery for all Human-kind:

[Note to Reader: The following is taken from a source the origin for which is lost; however, it is the nucleus to what generated the idea for the following fictional story: Dark matter is a kind of matter theorized to make up over 90% of the mass in the universe. It was theorized for different reasons, for example...stars in our galaxy were noticed to revolve around the center faster than they should be, according to calculations of the gravitational force towards the center. When people saw that the calculated speed was slower than what was being observed, it lead them to believe that there was matter in the galaxy that we were not seeing or detecting. Although dark matter explains the illogic things that have happened, its still very hypothetical because it has not yet been detected. Dark matter is supposedly the reason for why the universe is accelerating in its expansion outward. Since gravity should be slowing it down, it made no sense for the universe to accelerate outward...it defied the laws of physics. Anyway, I’m going to stop there because we probably aren't even supposed to be talking about such theoretical things in this section of the forum. If you want to see threads about dark matter, just go to Theory Development, I’m sure you can find plenty there, or just do a search for "Dark Matter".]

A Simple Bowl of Jello

As I looked up from my desk, being disturbed by the creaky opening of the door to my small office, housed in the bowels of the Administration building to the University of Michigan, that so humbly accepted my application for a grant for my research into the astrophysics of dark matter, the product of which hopefully, would be the basis of my thesis to attain my post-doctorate degree in Molecular Astrophysics, there stood a strikingly good looking young man, possibly in his late twenties.  Surprised by his sudden presence, I asked him: `how can I help you?’. Little did I know in that moment, how dramatically his response would change my life forever.

First, let me backup a little to give you some history of what led up to that fateful moment.

Having graduated five years prior with a Masters of Science majoring in astrophysics from M.I.T., I was pickup under contract by NASA.  I was a part of a team of well-established scientist and researchers specializing in the study of deep space beyond our own galaxy.  The team was structured in an effort to identify what was the composition of what seemed to represent ninety-percent of space between planets and stars that makeup the galaxies of the universe. This was commonly referred to as `ether’.  And this is where I come into the picture. 

My field of specialty is to explore the astrological composition of this so-called ‘ether’.  This being just one of many avenues being explored by the research team in order to better define and understand what makes up the cosmos.  Frankly, there was so little science dealing with this aspect of the cosmology of the universe that it was pioneering in its discoveries.  A quality that brought me to taking up this field of research.  To be the first to discover anything as remarkable would catapult one to the realms of Galileo, Newton, hell, even Einstein for that matter (no pun intended).  To think, I, Shawn Perkins, up there with the likes of these geniuses’, `wow!’

Anyway, after three gratifying years with NASA and the team, I learned a lot but came to realize too, my avenue of research was not being met with great enthusiasm by either of them.  So, I decided to put feelers out for any possible research grants that would support my research.  So, as luck and perseverance would have it; I find myself here at U of M with a half-million dollar, three-year grant along with an office and laboratory access that are both generous and timely.

As of this writing I have been at it for two years now and, unfortunately, to say it’s going well would be a bit misleading. 

Finding proof of evidence for the presence of dark matter being more than just the forces of gravity being imposed one planet upon another relative to size and distance, is proving to be a daunting task.

For one, it was by discovery of a "bullet cluster" formed by the collision of an enormous cluster of galaxies some three billion light-years away, with a smaller galaxy cluster that first demonstrated the potential for existence of what was being termed: dark matter. This collision caused this so-called dark matter to be stripped away from visible matter.  This was detected by the massive gravitational pull that it exerted as result of the collision.  It was the physics department of the University of Chicago that made the claim: `there is no way to explain the observations without dark matter.’

Of course there existed amongst the school of Newtonian and Einsteinium theory that their laws of gravity could support these observations as well, with only a slight tweaking of these laws.  And to be sure, it is these old and established schools of thought that are the first to jump and stomp upon any new theory that opposes their own.

A leading proponent of the gravity theory went so far as to state `that a definitive detection of dark-matter particles would mean grabbing them in the laboratory, not just inferring that their effects can be the only possible explanation for an observation before the alternatives have actually been checked.’.

And so, this is the hole I am trying to punch in what I believe is an outmoded and limited concept of what is actually going on out there.  But how to I prove this in the laboratory?

And that brings me to this moment in time where I find myself starring up from my meager and disheveled desk at this unknown young man whose appearance and physicality goes beyond anyone I think I have ever seen.  The true nature of this strangeness only becomes apparent later in my experience.

`Yes can I help you?’ I repeated once again and without further hesitation he said, `Yes.’ Then following a brief pause he simply said the word `jello’.  In fact he said twice before making an about-face and summarily walked out from my office.

Stunned by what just took place and the significance of the word `jello’ I hesitated for a moment before deciding to go after him.  But, by the time I reached outside my office door he seemed to have vanished.  The corridor to the exit stairs is reasonably long enough that I should have seen him at least turning toward the stairs.  Continuing my chase, by the time I reached outside the building there was absolutely no sign of him or anyone for that matter.  How strange is that?

After a few more hours of working at my desk I figured I’d go to the cafeteria to grab a bite to eat. Sometimes I’d get so consumed with study it’s only the growling of my stomach begging to be fed, that takes me there. 

The meaning of what that young man said was still running through my mind, it was quite perplexing.  There had to be some reasonable reason why he would go to the trouble to first find me given that very few people on campus knew I was even there and second, fewer would even know why I was there.

‘Jello’ what could that mean and to do with me?

 As I walked into the cafeteria I couldn’t help but laugh at the idea that jello would have anything to do with my research.  Who knows, maybe I am to discover a new flavor for jello.  Now wouldn’t that make a great thesis for my doctorate titled: Profound Cosmological Discovery: Jello

As I made my way down the que toward the cash-out I couldn’t help but stop to look at the alabaster white bowls of red and green squares of jello. 

My looking so intently at the bowls caused the server behind the counter to ask if I wanted one and proceeded to take one from the tray to hand it to me.  It was that action that brought it to me. Suddenly I knew what the young man meant when he said `jello.’

As the server lifted the bowl it caused the jello square to jiggle and wobble in all directions caused by the jerking of her hand. 

The cashier in that moment must have thought I was crazy.  All I could do was to think out loud and blurted: `Oh my god’ and, repeating it over and over, threw down what I hoped was enough cash to pay for what I had taken, leaving the full tray behind, ran from the cafeteria back to my office.

It was late the next afternoon having slept in my office fatigued after hours of formulating equations to express what I thought could explain the dynamics to prove the existence of dark matter and realized too, how much I was going to need the help of that wonderful women behind the counter in the cafeteria.

The basis of my theory to dark matter is that Space comprised of electro-magnetic energy within which all particles of matter beyond strings, fills the farthest reaches of the universe being like a container beyond measurable dimension, the composition of which is in essence, not unlike jello. 

Swimming within this realm of electromagnetic `jello’ swim particles of elemental matter from beyond Strings to the largest of large formed galaxies of stars and planets.  These bodies of matter of varying density in of themselves, resonate their own unique electro-magnetic field and resonant frequency of varying strength dictated to by their mass/density and relative relation to one another according to their found position within the hierarchy of mass/density.

The electro-magnetic interplay between all bodies is easily defined and/or can be stated to be the property: gravity.

The remainder of my third year was spent translating my `jello’ theory as I came to name it, into scientifically reproducible, mathematically formulae.  I was even able to develop a physical model to demonstrate and exhibit my theory in practical terms.  And this is where my friend in the cafeteria came to be of help once again.

When I first approached her on what I had in mind, the look on her face was unforgettable. What was particularly humorous was having to remind her time and time again `I do not want to eat it!’ Especially when it came to throwing a sizeable amount of nano-sized metal particles into and graying, the otherwise clear gelatin mixture in a seventy-two cubic meter, clear glass container housed in the cafeteria’s walk-in vegetable cooler.  It was the perfect environment to adequately cause the gelatin to form to the desired viscosity.   This as it turns out is an important factor in the demonstration.

At the presentation of my thesis, my panel of peers expressed their limited depth of scientific understanding in the realm to what my theory aimed to purport and, as such, may not be in a qualified position to render a final acceptance of my presentation.  However, it was decided to proceed and see where the dust would settle, as it were.

After an initial two-hour verbal presentation and discussion around the principles of my theory and formulae to quantify my thesis, I introduce the panel to my physical demonstration.

 To say the least, they were most confused when I led them to the cafeteria instead of a laboratory and specifically to the large vegetable cooler.  Fortunately I was able to abscond a few artic quality parka for each peer member from a fellow scientist doing polar research.  And, I had to get just one extra for my dear friend from the cafeteria who helped me so much in the end and whose name was appropriately `Nana’.  I somehow related it to the nano-sized particles placed into the gelatin ie: dark matter.

Examining the look of each face of the four men and two women surrounding the large container of `jello’ as I referred to it, I cautioned them to stand back a few feet for safety sake as I was about to apply an electrical charge to the terminals connected to the container.  Although I was only dealing with very low voltages, it wouldn’t help my cause to `fry’ anyone, especially any member of the peer-review group.

Monitoring the output on the computer screen, the low-voltage electrical charge imposed an electromagnetic influence upon the metal particles held in suspension in the not quite-gelled gelatin representing the property of dark matter. Then I proceeded to drop into the container what was described to the panel as being magnetized, metal spheres of varying mass and density.  Each sphere as result, had its individual electro-magnetic signature and resonant frequency. 

As each sphere is dropped into the electro-magnetic field of the container, because of their individual electromagnetic signature, each sphere moved slowly within the volume of gelatin representing dark matter, until each sphere established a position relative to the other sphere imposed by its electromagnetic properties (push and pull) relative to one another, relative to their individual mass/density and corresponding electro-magnetic signature and resonant frequency. 

The eyes of the six observers appeared to pop form their sockets in amazement to what was transpiring before them.  Their wonderment then turned to ecstatic elation when upon dropping a final sphere of proportionately, double the influence of all the other bodies present, to represent the central star of the galaxy being formed,  suddenly caused the smaller  spheres to relocate and move as though in orbit, relative to one another.  One of the observers had to be caught from faint upon seeing this happen.

Several months later I found myself unbelievably sitting on the dais confronting a room of not some, but all the leading scientist, of all disciplines, from around the world.  They were there expressly to hear my Jello thesis as its publication garnered some very positive if not questionable, reactions. The excitement in the room was palpable.

After several hours of exhaustive reasoning and answering questions following the video demonstrating the physical representation, there were still a few in doubt; specifically, questions regarding the notion of relativity and gravity and the long established laws that support it. 

It was this line of questioning that put the cap on the preverbal bottle for the old schools of thought once and for all; as I went on to explain.

The argument amongst those who have studied the principles and affects of gravity as defined by Newtonian and Einsteinian theories of relativity relates to whether gravity as a force, is either a `pull’ or a `push’?

The container of jello and spheres of varying mass/density, seemingly floating within it, replicated orbiting planets around a central star, within unseen dark matter that is in effect, electro-magnetically energized electrons and protons that comprise it, exerting a force deemed to be gravity, in both a push and pull influence relative to the mass/density and electro-magnetic signature of each planet sphere. And, taken further, is the quantum-theory expressed within the `jello’ theory.

It was then that someone within the audience belted out the words in a loud, resounding voice `SINGULAR THEORY!’   

And so my `jello’ theory gained the prominence and notoriety of being known as the SINGULAR THOERY – the theory of EVERYTHING!

As a broader understanding of this theory of singularity took root in mainstream science the new discoveries became exponential in number.  Gone were the hours of research to achieve that ambition to be expended in the founding of new technologies.  The by-product to this discovery too, has been the end to wars, famine, and worst of all, greed that has plagued humanity for several millennia.  A new prosperity of wellness encompasses the globe and has led to the discovery, communication with other interstellar civilizations.

Now, here at my sixtieth birthday celebration, standing before a crowd of my peers, many of whom witnessed that eventful and fateful day of discovery, I am once again confronted by the same remarkably handsome, young man who. those many years prior, mentioned to me the word `Jello’.

Though it’s been some thirty-five years he strangely looks as young as when I first laid eyes upon him. I did not think it could be. 

His name is Ellio.  He is not from this Earth but from a planet we now know and have visited often in the Maria Galaxy by the name of Quatro, as we would say it.  The surprising thing about that life-altering encounter is the fact that Ellio did not in fact say `jello’; he was attempting to make contact with me and was saying his name Ellio that I obviously mistook as `jello’.

Well, to coin the phrase `the rest is history’; that ends this tale of how all humanity came to realize the Key to its future destiny and, all from a simple bowl of Jello.

Ps – the jello on the menu that fateful day: it was red – strawberry I think.  Funny thing though, I never did get around to having some.

O' well!

The end