Golden State

Dearest Family and Friends, Why am I here?  I am not asking an existential question about the meaning of human existence. We are all curious about whether our lives have a transcendent purpose — fulfilling a divine plan or achieving some sort of enlightened state. That would be useful information to know. If, for example, I knew with absolute certainty that my life had no purpose or meaning, I might stop flossing my teeth. But my opening question was not meant to be considered on a rarefied existential plane. It was more prosaic: Why am I here? In the kitchen? At this moment? There must have been a reason I entered this room, but I can’t remember what it was.  Physics does not provide me with a satisfactory answer. Sure, I am a collection of particles governed by the laws of nature. A slightly overweight American male contains about seven billion-billion-billion (7 x 10 27 ) atoms. But the likelihood that all of my atoms would spontaneously vibrate their way down the hallway i...