💡 The Art of Quantum Forces, Five Water Mysteries, Time Travel’s Nonlinear History, and More

What’s popular and new this week in Nautilus. [View in browser](| [Join Nautilus]( EDITORS' CHOICE Together with Did a friend forward this? [Subscribe here.]( Hello there Nautilus readers, and thanks for joining us. Today we have the art of quantum forces. Our popular story this week reveals five things we still don’t know about water. I was reminded by your responses how useful people doubting you can be as motivational fuel. Be sure to check out your question today (on keepsakes) and free story (on time travel) below. Wishing you the best! —Brian Gallagher The latest in Nautilus ARTS The Art of Quantum Forces Two artists reveal the hidden magic in particle physics. BY KRISTEN FRENCH Imagine a top turning and turning in a widening gyre, like a dancer without a partner, its spin axis wobbling as though it were under the influence. [Continue reading →]( ADVERTISEMENT The Spirit of Mustang, Electrified The [2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E]( electric SUV combines the iconic styling of the classic Mustang with the power of cutting-edge electric vehicle technology. The [Mustang Mach-E]( lets you experience the magic of hands-free highway driving, the exhilaration of rocketing from 0-60 in 3.3 seconds, and the freedom of an emission-free ride. Intelligent decisions have never been so much fun. Explore now and find the [Mustang Mach-E]( that’s right for you. [Explore Now]( Popular This Week PHYSICS Five Things We Still Don’t Know About Water From steam to ice, water continues to mystify. BY RICHARD SAYKALLY What could we not know about water? [Continue reading →]( WE ARE CURIOUS TO KNOW... If you’re doing a stint on Mars, what keepsakes are with you to remind you of Earth? Let us know! Reply to this newsletter with your response, briefly explaining your choice, and we’ll reveal the top answers. (This question was inspired by “[Scientists re-emerge after a year in Mars simulation project](.”) Top Answers to Our Previous Question (On When Someone Doubted You) • The kitchen shared a wall with the bathroom. In the tub, I heard my parents say they knew I wouldn’t last more than two weeks away at college. Five years and two degrees later, I proved them wrong. – Barb A. • I am a woman who got a mechanical engineering degree in the 1960s, but my memory of being doubted is from the third grade. The teacher asked for suggestions for a song to sing. When I said the national anthem, she asked incredulously if I could sing it. I recall she was stunned that I sang the entire anthem. Now knowing how off-key I sing, I realize that I may be wrong about why she seemed so stunned. – Parrish N.H. • When my sister and I were young we wanted a canoe. After much discussion my father told us we would first have to be good swimmers, and if we could swim a lap in the Olympic size pool where we were, he would consider getting a canoe. This seemed to him a safe way to delay the whole issue. My sister and I both promptly jumped in and swam our laps. It was almost 15 years later that my father bought a canoe, and the whole event has become part of our family story. – Janine C. • When I was a middle school student, my math teacher told my mother that I wasn’t a good math student and I should never go into any field where math is a necessity. I went on to become a middle and high school math teacher, a district math teacher trainer, a national presenter in math education, and an educational superintendent. – Ben W. Calling All Stargazers With its advanced mirror system, the [Sky-Watcher Classic Dobsonian Telescope]( produces crisp, clear images The New York Times called “awe-inspiring.” Get yours today. [BUY ON AMAZON]( QUOTE OF THE DAY “If you can show someone who doesn’t know anything about particle physics something beautiful, that might trigger them to go, ‘Ooh, I wanna learn more about this.’” [Chris Klapper and Patrick Gallagher talk about inspiring people to embark on a journey of studying the language of the universe.]( Your free story this Sunday! PHYSICS A Nonlinear History of Time Travel Births, deaths, and other time travel paradoxes. BY JAMES GLEICK I doubt that any phenomenon, real or imagined, has inspired more perplexing, convoluted, and ultimately futile philosophical analysis than time travel has. [Continue reading for free→]( Mellow Out with Sharks Donald Nelson, the unflappable biologist, spear fisherman, and shark fanatic who inspired Richard Dreyfuss’ frenetic marine biologist in Jaws, was a lot more mellow than his on-screen counterpart. His friends describe him as completely at home in the ocean, according to Katharine Gammon’s [story]( “The Shark Whisperer.” “Mellow” and “at home in the ocean” also describe the music of the beachy album Floreana One, from the artist Floreana (named by founder Victoria Mordoch after the Galapagos island). That’s why Mordoch was the perfect choice to read Katharine Gammon’s story about Nelson. Sit back, relax, and let Mordoch take you on a journey through the fascinating life of “the shark whisperer” by [watching]( or [listening]( to her narration on [YouTube]( or [Spotify](. [WATCH]( [LISTEN]( P.S. The science-fiction author Robert Heinlein, whose works include the novel Starship Troopers, among others, was born on this day in 1907. Heinlein explored the paradoxical possibilities of time travel in a story titled “ ‘—All You Zombies—’ ” and published in Fantasy and Science Fiction. A Playboy editor had turned it down because the sex made him queasy (it was 1959). It accomplishes the “[time-travel equivalent of a quadruple axel](,” wrote James Gleick. “The protagonist is their own mother, father, son, and daughter.” Today’s newsletter was written by Brian Gallagher Thanks for reading. [Tell us](mailto:brian.gallagher@nautil.us?subject=&body=) your thoughts on today’s note. Plus, if you find our content valuable, consider [becoming a member]( to support our work, and inspire a friend to sign up for [the Nautilus newsletter](. Copyright © 2024 NautilusNext, All rights reserved. You were subscribed to the newsletter from [nautil.us](. Our mailing address is: NautilusNext 360 W 36th Street, 7S, New York, NY 10018 Don't want to hear from us anymore? [Unsubscribe](