The Train of Thought: Paradox

By Richard Dardis

About the Book
While attempting to slowly unravel the ‘Train of Thoughts’ purpose and function Albert, Max, and Niels were forced to incorporate other scientists in order to continue the quest of uncovering it’s true meaning and goal. Which takes us into the latter half of the 20th century and beyond with no definitive resolution. Carl Sagan, Stephen Hawking, and others help to continue the pursuit.
A blend of science fiction and historical fact, The Train of Thought weaves unique personalities together in a study of the global political and cultural atmosphere of our world through the last one hundred years and beyond and examines from a unique perspective the political strain particularly in the United States now based on the mistakes of the past.

About the Author
Richard Dardis would describe himself as somewhat of a loner. He has worked as a residential contractor for forty-five years. In his spare time, Dardis enjoys sports, mainly basketball, golf, and weight training; crosswords; and math puzzles and watching science and history shows.
Dardis has a stepson and two daughters and two grandchildren.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dorrance Publishing Company
• Release date: Oct 6, 2023
• ISBN: 9798889258506

Book preview

1

Welcome back to our trip of all trips. Our scientific heroes are steadily attempting to move forward with their quest of saving humanity. The Maharishi is being his usual self, and we all hope to see some real accomplishments. So, hop on The Train of Thought Paradox and fasten your seat belts.

All around the world, all countries and all cities have countless and beautiful edifices. Most of stone, granite, marble or brick.  All are bonded by cement. Photos and articles all highlight the beauty of these wonderful buildings. However, the authors never speak of the important product hidden in these edifices, and that is the cement that binds the beauty together; the real strength in any building is its hidden cement. Much like the strength of any country or city where it’s the average person. Not the celebrity, not the mayor, not the diplomats. Without cement, the buildings would crumble. Without average people, countries would too.

Sitting together in the Caboose, Erwin says to Carl and Stephen, You know, conventional wisdom would suggest that this whole picture is nothing more than one person’s nightly dream.

Carl adds, Yes, Erwin. I have also thought of that. However, it’s quite a long and complicated dream, wouldn’t you think?

Stephen says, Well, how long do dreams last? Who’s to say that this scenario is long or short. Dreams are as odd as they are and as long as they are, right?

United in the Musicians’ Car are Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Tammi Terrell, Jim Morrison, Duane Allman, and Louis Armstrong. Louis said to the group, The first time I heard Jack Teagarden on the trombone, I had goosepimples all over.

Tammi says to Louis, There ain’t no mountain high enough, ain’t no valley low enough, to keep me from getting to you.

Louis says, Seems to me it ain’t the world that’s so bad but what we’re doing to it. All I’m saying is—See what a wonderful world it would be if we’d only give it a chance. Love, baby-love. That’s the secret.

Janis Joplin says, On stage I make love to 25,000 people, then I go home alone. And being an intellectual creates a lot of questions and no answers.

Jimi replies, Knowledge speaks, while wisdom listens. When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.

Duane Allman says, Develop your talent, man, and leave the world something. Records are really gifts from people. To think an artist would love you enough to share his music with anyone is a beautiful thing.

Jimi says, Excuse me while I kiss the sky.

Listening all the while, Jim Morrison stands up and says, There are things known and things unknown and in between are the doors. Love cannot save you from your own fate. With Tammi and Janis leading the group, they decide to sing a Kris Kristofferson favorite, Beat the Devil.  They all begin singing, If you waste your time talking to the people who don’t listen to the things that you are saying, who do you think’s gonna hear.  And if you should die explaining how the things that they complain about are things they could be changing, who do you think’s gonna care.  There are other lonely singers in a world turned deaf and blind who are crucified for what they tried to show, and their voices have been scattered by the swirling winds of time cause the truth remains that no one wants to know.

Bertrand Russel says, There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge. He passed away on February 2, 1970. His photo hangs in the Philosophical Car of the ‘Train of Thought’. Tammi Terrell passed away on March 16. Her photo is hanging in the Entertainment Car of the ‘Train of Thought’.

Vince Lombardi, the great football coach and a man of many quotes, said, Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence. He passed away on September 3, and his photo hangs in the Athletic Car and the Heroes’ Car of the ‘Train of Thought’. On September 18, Jimi Hendrix passed away at the age of 27. His photo is hanging in the Entertainment Car of the ‘Train of Thought’. His death was followed by Janis Joplin’s death on October 4 also at the age of 27.  Her photo is hung in the Entertainment Car of the ‘Train of Thought’.

Back in the Caboose, the trio of scientists have decided they need a fourth to add to their mindset of thoughts. Erwin says, I think Richard Feynman would be a great addition.

Carl adds, That is a good choice, Erwin. Do you know of him Stephen?

Yes, I do, and I agree. Erwin, as our elder statesman, would you do the honors of calling him?

I will. Or maybe I’ll just visit him at his laboratory at Cal Tech, Erwin replied.  He took the ‘Plain of Thought’ to California.

Walking into Richard’s office, he encounters Richard’s assistant and asks, Could I please speak to Dr. Richard Feynman? And please tell him Erwin Chargaff is here to see him if he asks.

The assistant responds, I will see if he is available, one moment please.

A few minutes go by, and Richard and his assistant come out. Erwin, so nice to see you, my friend. What brings you here? Richard asked.

To which Erwin replies, First let me congratulate you on your Nobel prize award in physics, Richard.

Oh, thank you so much, Erwin. What brings you all the way to California, my friend?

Richard, do you have time to talk? Erwin asks.

I will in about an hour or so, how about lunch, then? he suggests.

That’s great. I will wait here. Can I use you phone while I’m waiting? Of course, help yourself, said Richard.

After an hour or so, Richard comes into his office, with hat and coat in hand, and says to Erwin, Shall we go? I know a great little private cafe down the street we can chat there.

Sounds great and I’ll drive, said Erwin. Just show me the way. After parking, they enter the café and ask for a table for two please. After sitting and ordering drinks, Erwin opens with, Richard I, we, have an interesting problem I would like to involve you in, if you’re interested?

I’m listening, Erwin. Lay it on me. Wait—who’s we.

Okay, hear me out, it’s a long story.

About an hour later, Richard says, WOW! I wish you had come to me years ago. Why didn’t you?

Well, your involvement with the government, and the Manhattan Project, I think Albert thought you were too involved. But I never spoke to him about this, so it’s just a guess.

I understand, Erwin. Well, I’m interested, I’ll just have to requisition for time off.

That won’t be necessary, and you’ll see why once you get there. Please come with me, Erwin said. They drive to the local airport where the ‘Plain of Thought’ is waiting. Once in their seats, it’s off to the ‘Train of Thought’.

Entering the Caboose, they encounter only the Maharishi. Hello, Erwin, and who’s this? Yes asks.

This is Dr. Richard Feynman, Maharishi, said Erwin. He’s here to help us and to replace George.

Don’t believe a word they tell you, Richard, Yes said.

So, this is the comedian you talked about, huh, Erwin?

That’s him, Erwin said. Well, let’s go for a long, long, walk, Doctor, Erwin suggests.

While walking through the train, car after car, the men can’t locate the other two scientists. It was an experience that Richard needed, to get the picture of the interior of the ‘Train of Thought’. After two hours of trekking, they decide to sit and take a break. They sit with Audie Murphy and Nikita Khrushchev. Audie says, The way I see it, if you’re scared of something you’d better get busy and do something about it. I’d call that a challenge—and I believe the way to grow is to meet all challenges as they come along.

Well, young man, that’s exactly what we’re doing, Erwin pines.

 Nikita says, The United States will eventually fly the communist red flag…the American people will hoist it themselves.

Feynman reacts by stating, Looking back at the worst of times, it always seems that there were times in which there were people who believed with absolute faith and absolute dogmatism in something. And they were so serious in this matter that they insisted that the rest of the world agree with them. And then they would do things that were directly inconsistent with their own beliefs in order to maintain that what they said was true. What a counter punch, thought Erwin.

Just that moment, Stephen and Carl came walking by. Josephine Baker is with the two. She says, I have walked in the palaces of kings and queens and into the houses of presidents. And much more. But I could not walk into a hotel in America and get a cup of coffee, and that made me mad.

Erwin says whispering, Okay, Yes, we get the picture.

Josephine says, Excuse me, sir?

Erwin, thinking it’s the Maharishi, adds, We get the joke, Yes.  

Josephine replies, Mister, I have some protection with me, don’t make me use it.  

Carl, trying to signal Erwin, but failed to catch his eye, says, Ms. Baker, it was truly a lovely experience chatting with you and we all hope to see you again, but we must head off to the Dinner Car with these men.

Erwin sweating says, I guess my foot will come out of my mouth soon.  

Instead, they all head to the locomotive; it’s closer. Carl, and Stephen are laughing their asses off; Richard is completely dumbfounded, and Erwin is embarrassed to the heavens. Richard asks, Just what was that all about.

Erwin says, I forgot to tell you about the game the Maharishi plays with us. Then explains it to Richard. The four continue to laugh. At the Main Car there is no Maharishi.

Gents, this is Richard Feynman.

Yes, we’ve met, said Carl.

Nice to meet you, Dr. Feynman, said Stephen.

Richard is fine, Stephen, no need for formalities.

2

The three experienced men take to showing Richard the intricacies of the massive locomotive. Richard asks, How could this man have built this amazing machine all by himself?

Great question, Richard. We suspect he is much more brilliant than he lets on. Although, as he does appear highly intelligent, he also acts purposefully delinquent, spoke Carl.

Quite an interesting combination of traits, said Richard. And possibly our generation’s answer to future space travel.

There are two major stumbling blocks to that theory, sir, said Erwin. First, the main component is his goal of having us solve the major global problem that he speaks of, and second, he has suggested that we are trying to enter a place that we don’t belong.

Richard adds, It seems that he either won’t or can’t stop the global powers from entering that frontier.

Carl says, It’s both. He is sworn to an oath, apparently to a higher authority, long ago. And he has some future insight to our existence that he will not allow us to observe.

I sure wish I could have been here from the start, when Albert and Max began their exploration, said Stephen.

Yes, but remember, both of them suggested to Niels that he was not forthcoming with a lot of what we have struggled to know. It’s like his hands are tied, somehow, Carl added.

Talk about a dilemma; my goodness, it couldn’t be any more complicated, could it? asked Richard.

One more compelling item, Richard, is the question of time. What I mean is, it seems sometimes months or days may have passed but getting home it was maybe only an hour that passed. Other times only minutes, Erwin noted. A completely unexplainable phenomenon.

This is no dream, gents, Carl aggressively states. Having involved all of us in this scenario, it seems that we are 100 percent invested in a solution. But I do believe we must start fresh. Let’s put all the information, piece by piece, in order, and try to extrapolate anything that may be missing.

Great idea, Carl, where, and when? asks Richard.

Right here, right now. Time is wasting.

Wait there a minute, my friends. A familiar high-pitched voice speaks from above. Who says you can use my prized possession as an office? the Maharishi questions.

What the hell are you doing up there, Yes? Erwin asked.

Answer my question first, said Yes.

Where else would you like us to meet and talk? asked Erwin.

You answered a question with a question, Erwin, Yes retorted.

Same old funny man, huh? Erwin fired back.

The Caboose, where else? And who’s this new guy? Yes asks.

Oh, Maharishi, meet Dr. Richard Feynman, a well-respected physicist and friend, Carl added.

Hello, Mr. Maharishi, but we’ve already met, Carl, said Richard.

Did they tell you I can perform operas, Richard? asked Yes.

Uh no, but I’m sure I would have found out sometime, answered Richard.

To answer your question, Erwin, I was cleaning all the dust from my passageways. I’m also the maid around here, Yes replied.

And, by the way, it took forty years before the Maharishi exposed himself to our mentors. And that was only because Mr. Gandhi brought them together after Albert stumbled upon him in a closet of the Caboose, said Erwin.

Which also raises another question for me Erwin.  What is this ‘Train of Thought’ truly all about? asks Richard.

"We guess it is a documentary, so to speak, of the human existence and experiences. Designed to possibly act as an anthropological explanation to any future explorers of the planet earth. Possibly thousands or millions of years