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Magic Things

2 September 2021

Dear Chemistry Colleagues,

“The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.”  W.B. Yeats



When I teach CHEM110B, I put this quote on my course blog.  It is important for me to remember the wonder I felt about nature when I was a boy.  I think this childlike sense is key to breakthroughs in the classroom and in the lab, and for me it is a source of inspiration.  When we teach introductory chemistry, there are many fantastic demonstrations.  One of my favorites is covering the burning Mg ribbon with dry ice, which makes MgO and C.  It burns white and really looks like magic.  Of course the reaction can be understood, as our senses grow sharper: that the Mg is stealing the O out of CO2 and leaving behind C black.  And the driving force is favorable redox.  Once we understand, does that mean it’s not magic anymore?  Depends on your definition of magic.  If magic is violating the laws of nature, then nothing is magic.  But if magic is making our eyes open wide, giving us a big smile, and eliciting a collective “ohhh”, then that’s magic to me.  Once we understand the process, it doesn’t take the magic away.  Einstein said, “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”  I choose the latter.



I’ve been reading a book on the creative process called Big Magic.  One of my favorite chapters talks about authenticity versus originality.  Each of us wishes to be original, but it isn’t easy.  There is so much excellent work that has gone before us.  Indeed, we all stand on the shoulders of giants.  One thing we can always strive for though is authenticity.  Making sure our work is rigorous, that it reflects our approach to science, and that it takes on systems and ideas in a new way.  That is a type of magic.



Running a research lab is a chance to bring all this into practice.  Our research groups are looking for magic things--remember, the world is full of them.  Seeing them is the challenge.  It requires our senses to grow sharper; and understanding them requires teamwork and training.  I hope your semester reveals something magic to you. 

Best Regards,

Phil