Wormholes: Travelling through space and time.

Imagine being able to travel from Earth to Mars within the time span of a day. The distance of the Earth to Mars is 54.60 million kilometres. The distance between Earth and the Andromeda galaxy, which is the galaxy nearest to out milky way, is 2.537 million light years. The time taken to travel from the Earth to Mars is between 150 and 300 days while the time taken to travel between Earth and the Andromeda galaxy is 2.5 million light years. So, imagine taking only days, months or weeks to get to Mars or the Andromeda galaxy! Imagine also, being able to travel from one universe to another universe. According to Dr Michio Kaku, a theoretical physicist, it is possible to travel, theoretically, that it is possible for more than one parallel universe to exist. 

So, what would allow us to travel from one point in space to another in a relatively short span of time? The answer is a wormhole. A wormhole is a hole in the fabric of space and time. It is a theoretical construct, meaning that it is a theory constructed to test a hypothetical concept. Theoretical concepts exist to define a certain concept which exists only in theory and are not observable phenomenon and are used by scientists to study things that cannot be observed. Science studies things and defines them, that is it describes them as real, if they are in someway observable. This includes seeing them, measuring them, smelling them, or sensing them using various kinds of apparatus. A wormhole can be best explained by taking a sheet of blank paper and putting two dots opposite each other at each end of the paper. Imagine that is the distance from your planet to another planet and that is the distance. Now fold the paper so that the two points meet each other. Imagine that a black hole is between the two dots. The dots are now nearer to each other. So space travelers travelling between two world located over vast distances of space can now enjoy speedier travel between once distant worlds.

Wormholes are described by scientists as tunnel-like connections in the fabric of space and time. They originate in Albert Einstein's Theory of General Relativity. Wormholes unusual properties pique the interests of theoretical physicists who study their mathematical properties of time and space. Wormholes possess strange geometries. Their study can assist to further the boundaries of behaviour permitted in the Theory of General Relativity, meaning the types of behaviour or things that some phenomenon by theory is supposed to do , and possibly give insights into the effects of quantum gravity. 

What does a wormhole look like? What is its configuration? A wormhole is a tunnel like structure with a mouth as an entry point and another mouth as an exit point. These two points are connected by a 'throat", and by theory, permits a traveler into the wormhole to travel through to a distant point in space and time. Now the path through the wormhole will have several routes to the exit point. Scientists describe the different exit points as topologies. These distinct topologies give a traveler through the wormhole many different paths to exit the wormhole to his or her destination. It is like as if an ant that enters an anthill will have many different paths before it to travel through in order to reach its destination. However, I ask these questions;

Imagine being able to travel from Earth to Mars within the time span of a day. The distance of the Earth to Mars is 54.60 million kilometres. The distance between Earth and the Andromeda galaxy, which is the galaxy nearest to out milky way, is 2.537 million light years. The time taken to travel from the Earth to Mars is between 150 and 300 days while the time taken to travel between Earth and the Andromeda galaxy is 2.5 million light years. so imagine taking only days , months or weeks to get to Mars or the Andromeda galaxy! Imagine also, being able to travel from one universe to another universe. According to Dr Michio Kaku, a theoretical physicist, it is possible to travel, theoretically, that it is possible for more than one parallel universe to exist. 

A. How do we know which path to take through the wormhole that will lead us to our destination?

B. how do we know if we will reach our desired destination or will we end up in some other place?

C. will we age when we travel to our destination?

D. will there be a difference in time when a traveler exits a wormhole?

The picture below shows a wormhole with its entry and exit mouths and a throat? 

E. Will a traveler reach his destination in this universe or another universe? 

The picture shows a wormhole with its entry and exit points. The channel between the entry and exit points. That channel is the throat of the wormhole

In science fiction, a wormhole is seen as a shortcut between two worlds resident in the same expanse in space and time just as the other planets in or solar system exist with our planet. It is supposed to shorten the time taken to travel between planets at any distance from each other. Suppose we want to travel through a wormhole to Mars in order to shorten the trip from a couple of months to perhaps just a day, then we can plunge through the wormhole in order to achieve this. But there is no particular reason why the distance between two worlds should be shorter through a wormhole. On the contrary, the distance could be even longer. The route could be twisted and lengthy but the entry and exit mouths being closer. Just imagine a worm entering a fruit, it makes its way through the fruit but when it exits, its exit point is closer to the entry point on the surface of the fruit. As described earlier the routes through a wormhole are called Topologies.

Wormholes can also exist within the classical black holes found in Einstein equations. But these are worthless when it comes to space travel. They can easily collapse before a spacecraft can enter them, leave alone a ray of light. Additionally, black holes are formed from collapsing stars have no associated wormhole at all.

A problem with wormholes has been postulated by some scientists. They postulate that worm hole geometries are inherently unstable. They postulate that the only way to keep them stable and not collapsing is material that has negative energy density- dark matter perhaps. However, they think that it is possible that quantum fluctuations in various fields might have the chance to keep them stable. The British scientist, Stephen Hawking conjectured that if at all worm holes were created, they cannot be used for time travel. Even if some exotic matter were used to stabilize them against instabilities. He argued that even the smallest particle could destabilize them sufficiently fast enough, thus preventing their use. Perhaps a type 2 or a type 3 civilization might invent a clever way to stabile them for use in space and time travel. Nonetheless, there is no experimental evidence for them

Wormhole geometries are inherently unstable. The only material that can be used to stabilize them against pinching off is material having negative energy density, at least in some reference frame. No classical matter can do this, but it is possible that quantum fluctuations in various fields might be able to.

To conclude, wormholes are an interesting scientific concept. It is theoretical and probably impossible to create, at least with contemporary scientific knowledge. It is good material for science fiction writers, but apart from that it is wishful thinking that we could ever create a stable wormhole. But as long as science brings forth exotic theoretical concepts, the imagination will be unleashed. 

Reasoning in Critical Thinking.

What is reasoning? According to Butterworth and Thwaites (2013) reasoning is the process where we move from the knowledge already know and understand to new knowledge and understanding. According to Butterworth and Thwaites (2013) reasoning is a higher skill. It forms the basis for reflection and creative thinking apart from use in critical thinking. They argue that it is bedrock of human advancement. Scientific and academic logic and thinking uses two principal types of thinking; deductive reasoning and inductive reasoning. A third type is abductive reasoning.  

Deductive reasoning is a form of valid reasoning. It is sometimes referred to as a "top-down approach". Deductive reasoning works from a general theory or hypotheses, then by examining the possibilities we reach a specific and logical conclusion.


  

Deductive reasoning is a form of valid reasoning. It is sometimes referred to as a "top-down approach". Deductive reasoning works from a general theory or hypotheses, then by examining the possibilities we reach a specificand logical concuclusion by means of testing the possibilities. We can narrow down even further as observations are collected to address the hypotheses. This ultimately leads to the testing hypotheses with specific data. In other words, we start with a general statement or hypotheses in an area of interest and narrow down into more specific hypotheses that we can test. Therefore, deductive reasoning is a top-down reasoning approach. It is more close-ended and narrow in nature and is concerned with hypotheses testing. Deductive reasoning or logic is concerned with the validity of arguments; an argument is deductively valid if and only its conclusion follows a logically necessary consequence of its premises. Usually deductive reasoning follows the steps of a premise and a second premise and finally an inference or conclusion. A common form of deductive reasoning is called Syllogisms. In syllogisms, there are two statements, a major and a minor premise that reach a logical conclusion. For example, All dogs are mammals. An Alsatian is a dog. Therefore, an Alsatian is a mammal.

Deductive Reasoning:

Source www.socialresearchmethods.net

Inductive reasoning works in the reverse to deductive reasoning. It is a "bottom up approach " to reasoning. Inductive reasoning makes broad generalisations drawn from specific observations and measures, patterns, regularities are distinguished, some tentative hypotheses are articulated for exploration and investigation, and finally arriving at developing some conclusions or theories, and finally arrive at constructing some general conclusions or theories.

Therefore, inductive reasoning is a bottom-up approach that uses specific observations and moves to broader generalisations and theories.It uses data , then conclusions are drawn from the data. In inductive reasoning, if the premises are true, then the conclusion is probably true. Inductive reasoning has its place in the scientific method. It is used to form hypotheses and theories. Deductive reasoning is used to apply theories to specific situations.

Inductive Reasoning:

Source www.socialresearchmethods.net

Abductive reasoning is used to address the inherent weaknesses of deductive and inductive reasoning. Specifically, deductive reasoning is criticized for the lack of clarity in terms of how to select theory to be tested via formulating hypotheses. Inductive reasoning, on other hand, criticized because “no amount of empirical data will necessarily enable theory-building”. Abductive reasoning, as a third alternative, overcomes these weaknesses via adopting a pragmatist perspective. 

Abductive reasoning:

Source https://research-methodology.net/

Abductive reasoning usually starts with an incomplete set of observations and proceeds to the likeliest possible explanation for the group of observations. It is based on making and testing hypotheses using the best information available. It often entails making an educated guess after observing a phenomenon for which there is no clear explanation. 

Abductive reasoning is useful for forming hypotheses to be tested. Abductive reasoning is often used by doctors who make a diagnosis based on test results and by jurors who make decisions based on the evidence presented to them.

In conclusion, reasoning is the basis of logic, creative thinking and  critical thinking. Deductive reasoning begins with a general statement or hypothesis and narrows down further as observations are made to address the hypothesis. It is used to test a hypothesis. Inductive reasoning moves from specific observations that lead to broader  generalisations and theories. Abductive reasoning starts with an incomplete set of observations and proceeds to the likeliest possible explanation for the group of observations.

References:  Butterworth.J and Thwaites.G (2013). Thinking Skills:Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

    Second edition. Cambridge, United Kingdom.

Alina Bradford (2017). Deductive vs. Inductive Reasoning

Retrieved from 

https://www.livescience.com/21569-deduction-vs-induction.html

Alina Bradford. Deductive vs. Inductive Reasoning

Retrieved from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jX3OXwpEpl8&t=16s

Deduction & Induction Resources. (n.d.). Retrieved from 

https://socialresearchmethods.net/kb/dedind.php

Research Methodology. (n.d.). Retrieved fromhttps://research-methodology.net/

Design Thinking: A Paradigm of Creativity and Innovation.

Design thinking is an innovative design methodology that provides a solution-based approach to problem solving. It is a methodology that is well-suited to solving ill-defined and unknown complex problems. It seeks solutions by understanding human needs. It reframes problems in human-centred ways, by creating ideas through brainstorming sessions, by adapting a hands-on approach in prototyping and testing. Design thinking is anchored to a skill set consisting of five stages or phases: empathize define, ideate, prototype and test. 

There is nothing new to the approach as it has been in existence for a long time. However, it has recently seen an uptake. It is a process that is fast gaining ground.

Design thinking is a five stage or phase iterative approach. Each stage or phase forms parts of the process of solution development.

1. Empathize: Understanding by empathizing in order to help define the problem. This done in order to gain an empathetic understanding of the problem. The phase involves consulting subject matter or problem area experts about the problem area. It is done with observing, engaging and empathizing with people in order to understand their experiences and motivations. Also, the solution designer immerses himself or herself in the physical environment so as to gain a deeper personal understanding of the issues involved. Empathy is a crucial part of a human-centred design process. It is what allows solution designers to set aside their assumptions about the world and gain insight into the users and their needs. Contingent to constraints of time, as much information is gathered at this phase so that it can be used during the next stage, and to develop the deepest and best possible understanding of the users, their needs, and the underlying problems of the development of a solution or a product.

2. Define: The define stage is where the information obtained in the empathize stage is put together. The observations from the first stage/phase are analysed and synthesized in order for the core problems to be defined. Problems are defined as a problem statement in a human-centred manner. Suppose an automobile manufacture wants to " increase the sale of economy sedan by 15% over the next three years", the problem can be defined in a human-centered manner as "Economy sedans are much more economical to own and maintain". The define stage allows for effective ideas to establish features, functions, ad any other elements that will allow solution designers to solve the problem or if not permit the users to resolve issues themselves with minimum difficulty. 

3. Ideate: At the ideate stage, solution designers are ready to start idea generation. The solution designers have grown to understand the users and their requirements in the Empathize phase. The end-users needs have been analyzed and synthesized from the observations made at the Define Stage and would have evolved a human-centered problem statement. When these have been completed thus begins ideation. Ideation is simply "thinking out of the box" in order to find or identify new solutions to the problem statement. Ideation is conducted using myriad ideation techniques such as; Brainstorming, Brainwrite, Worst Possible Idea, and SCAMPER. Ideation must generate as many ideas or solutions as possible from the onset of the phase. 

4. Prototype: At  the prototype stage many versions of a solution or scaled down versions of a solution are or a product are produced. Prototypes are shared and tested among team members or with people outside the team. This is to investigate and analyse the problem solutions generated in the previous stage. The prototype phase is an experimental phase in which the best solution is derived. The solutions produced at this phase are implemented one by one , they are investigated and either are accepted, rejected, modified or improved all based in the users experience. By the end of this stage the solution developers will have a better idea and understanding of the constraints inherent to the solution or product and the problems that are present, and have a clearer picture of how real users would behave, think, and feel when interacting with the end product.

5. Test: This is the final phase in the of the five phase model. However, it is an iterative process and the design thinking is a non-linear approach to design. It is an iterative process where at various phases results generated during the testing phase are often used to refine one or more of the problems and inform the understanding of the user, the conditions of use, how people think, behave, and feel and to empathize. The test phase  sees the rigorous testing of the complete product or solution using the best solutions identified in the during the prototyping phase. This stage can still see modifications, alterations and refinements to products and solutions and derive as deep an understanding of the product and its user as much as possible.  

Source www.careerfoundry.com

In conclusion, design thinking is a human-centred and collaborative approach to designing  solutions or products. It is amind-set that empathises. It is about learning , experimenting, with permission to fail and retry. It allows for the evolution of new ideas and is highly creative and innovative. It asks for feedback and is iterative. It is non-linear. It stimulates creative confidence and is defiant of failure. It is optimistic in the processes it employs.  

References:

5 Stages in the Design Thinking
     Retrieved from www.interaction-design.org

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