Natural Science- Hyperspace
"So you see class, the entire universe is composed like a gigantic machine made up of interlocking wheels. All the events of this universe are governed by laws of physics- Buddha called these immutable, unchanging laws 'Dharmakaya' and he also believed that everything in the universe would cycle back in on itself. We study because we don't know- this is a grand and complex system.," the otter professor, a postgraduate at Langford University named Hyman Shafranek said to his class of students, each representing many different species. He was an otter of about 48, who was already dreading the sunset years of his own life.
"And what exactly does this mean?" Terry Barnhurst, his brightest and most inquisitive pupil in this graduate-level course on natural science responded.
"I'm glad you brought that up-breaks up this monologue," the professor said to great laughter. "I'm a member of what you might call the scientific establishment, a Sanhedrin of Science and we often THINK we're right about nature but then again we might not be. That's where you promising young men and women step in. We need you to show us the way- because after all, the universe is a place where, say it with me class..."
"Our causes can't see their effects," a choir of about 40 responsive students exclaimed to the teacher.
"That's right! Now, I want to see you in a month preparing your theses for final evaluation," he said as the sudetns, some wanting to stay after class to have a word with Shafranek, others in a rush to leave.
Shafranek knew that within the next half-decade, his vital signs would fail. As his colleagues of different species would find a new generativity, a new way to give back to the world at the age of 60, the cold icy scythe of Death would claim him and leave his last ten years a truly miserable time lying in bed, waiting for the blood in hsi body to cool to room temperature. He knew very well that as a non-observant Jewbu ( culturally Jewish but fascinated by the life of Buddha) that his friends would mourn his death for a while then go on living the 20 or 30 years he would never have because of the 'curse' placed on the family Lutrinae. He hated his upbringing- why was he born to be an otter, with their webbed limbs which made grabbing things difficult and life expectancy of only 60. Many of his contemporaries might live to see great-grand children and he would be lucky to see grandkids. The otter wanted so much to give back to the world he lived in but there seemed to be nothing that his short, meaningless (or so he thought) life would accomplish.
What would he give back to society, considering the short time he had to operate? He would teach his students, he reasoned, the basic theories of natural science which had gotten society this far. Too weary in this world to be optimistic, too resigned to his fate to hope for anything that might add years to his life (or life to his years), the otter buried his head in his short webbed extremities and prepared for a good cry when he heard a knock on his door. Part of him wanted to say "Leave me alone!" but he was a man of composure and maturity, notan immature kid, just having a bad day. Even on his worst days, Shafranek still had to, if not be optimistic, at least not show much in terms of emotion. Be professional, he thought to himself as he dried his eyes and opened the door to reveal Mr. Parkhurst.
"That lecture of yours about 'Dharmakaya' and about how all these scientific authorities might be wrong moved me and I've got something for you", the younger otter reached into his suitcase ot reveal a thick set of paper entitled "Gerontological Studies of the Oter: How to Extend Life by 25%"
"You cannot be serious about this topic- scientists all over the world, both otters and those who feel for them have been unable to reach a conclusion as to why we must die so young," the professor said, surprised that something so large had crossed his disk this early in the semester.
"I studied this for years before entering this class- it was my secret project while an undergrad here. Do you think that aerobic respiration and photosynthesis were the only things I followed as your student in the undergrad classes."
"I'll be honest- I'll reveal something about myself I've never said to anyone before," resting his webbed hand on Parkhurst's jacketed arm. "I'm scared of dying- I don't want to die, especially before all my friends of the same age do. I hate it, it sucks but I think that I might as well just live under this curse and accept it."
"Well, from someone dedicated to science, it surprises me you still believe in curses, like the ancients who lived before science believed. My studies into gerontology, or old age revealed problems centered mainly around the kidneys. And I knew most otters suffer from stones and weak flow in their 50's, before developing a rapidly-metastasizing cancer which claims them. Perhaps with our knowledge of nephrology, we might put a stop to this and I've explained that in detail in this thesis..."
As the days passed, the otter read more and more of the study and was amazed at Parkhurst's professionalism, candor, and attention to detail. But what surprised Shafranek the most was his ability to look at things the others had missed. He wanted so much to publish his student's thesis but would risk rejection and loss of tenure if it turned out to be wrong. The otter's kidneys, which are responsible for the elimination of liquid waste- why yes, that's where the trouble started but it would take many years to develop a cure for the cancer. Removing one of the kidneys would help in the short term but not really end the suffering Still, he would contact his doctor for a kidney exam and after having endured the painful preparations for this test, the doctors did find pre-cancerous growths, which they were able to eliminate through the use of state-of-the-art concentrated radiation. Years passed, Terry went away but Shafranek remained in as good condition as he was at 48. He grew old but kept much of his vigor and got to 50, 51, 52, 55, 58 feeling fine as though he would catch his friends at 80. He recommended kidney exams for each of his friends who also were otters and the same result happened- long life for each of them.
And then he realized something, Terry Parkhurst had discovered the key as a young man to the question which had bothered the otter ever since it learned to walk upright- he had extended life to make it equal in duration and quality to that of the other species. Such work would be worthy of a major reward- a fellowship at the most prestigious universities in the world, not for him but for this young unassuming otter who had found the answer would have to be sought out. It would be completely dishonest and morally bankrupt for Shafranek to claim that thesis as his own. Now if only he could find that otter student who had enrolled at Langford a decade ago...