Science and Fantasy

                    "Science does not know its debt to imagination."
                                                                                                        -Ralph Waldo Emerson

 Imagination is the child of want. In other words, imagination is the fulfillment of greed, widely regarded as one of human natures greatest flaws. Imagination is an attempt to visualize the ownership of something not within our possession and currently beyond our grasp. Using imagination we create a new dimension where we are in possession of something we currently envy other beings, whether real or fake, of having. Eventually the continuous imagination of a specific item or event can lead to obsession with said item or event. This obsession is the predecessor to innovation.

Looking at it this way, imagination is almost a thing of evil in the eyes of society. After all, it is the child of 'the green eyed monster' and parent of an emotion widely regarded as self destructive. Many can tell you, however, that the very worst things for you is that which is beneficial in controlled doses. Ambition is nothing but the reigning in of greed and dedication is a controlled form of obsession. Sometimes, however, life demands an extreme. This dedication is what keeps people pursuing answers to question previously left unanswered. Innovation and invention is nothing but the implementation of the answer found through the dedication brought about by imagination born of want.

As we return to the same image again and again, more details are flushed out. More specifics are added and we apply our knowledge of the real world to see how such eventualities could come into being. If we imagine a physical object, we slowly reverse engineer it as we gain the knowledge required to understand the principles required for turning our wish into reality.

Imagination provides the kick start that gets all the other gears moving. The words "what if" are what lead to new and wonderful creations. It is because of this that I believe all engineers, scientists, and other innovators must have a powerful imagination to reach their full potential. Reading as a child gave me a very healthy imagination and I hope to put it to as great a use as possible in the days to come.