by Don Schaeffer, Ph.D.
The glue that binds people into encounter and love is like the glue that binds atoms. Neither can be seen.
Observation of the basic particles of the universe will always cause a distortion in the way they function. Observation and measurement will always give a false impression because the tools of observation will interfere with nature. That is roughly the uncertainty principle as stated by Heisenberg.
Likewise, logicians will not be able to observe the nature of a smile and the forces that create meaning in the encounter among human beings. When you look too closely at social life, you take away its heart. Smiles appear to be neutral expressions. Your observation will not account for the social energy that passes between smiler and recipient. The warmth appears as illusion easily explained away. The observer is sickened by his observation. Encounter requires a naive mind.
