Field notes friday inaugural Post

My book The Ultraview Effect: What We Can Learn from Astronauts about Awe, Humility, and Exploring the Unknown is due to be published in spring 2026 by the University of California Press. Based on ethnographic work among members of the space community, the astronauts, astronomers, engineers, flight surgeons and others working to support and conduct the exploration of outer space, it focuses on how wonder, humbleness, and curiosity arise among many of those who contemplate the cosmos on a regular basis. I plan to post excerpts from my field notes on most Fridays to give a sense of the research behind the book. 

September 5, 2017
“Zack” seemed attracted by the idea that there were 400 billion stars in the Milky Way galaxy and many billions of galaxies. He was particularly taken by the notion that there could be multiple universes (he believes new universes come from black holes) and noted that ten years ago people pooh-poohed the idea of multiple universes but now physicists say it’s possible. That was a victory for his beliefs, positive reinforcement.
 
He also believes that we are limited by our biology and circumstances from understanding reality and that everything we think we understand is incomplete.
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