The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. said in his Letter from Birmingham Jail: “In a real sense all life is inter-related. All men are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be, and you can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be…This is the inter-related structure of reality.”
When he wrote the book in 1963, none of us could have conceived what life would be like sixty years later. In some ways, we’ve made progress in adapting his words, yet in many ways, we still have a long way to go. Recently, I reflected on the recent movie “Everything Everywhere All At Once” and its portrayal of the multiverse and wondered what Dr. King would have thought about it.
The multiverse is a theory in which universes exist beyond our own, each with its own set of physical laws and realities that are distinct from one another. It suggests that our universe is only one of many and that these alternate universes are connected in some way. This theory has been explored in science, literature, and film and continues to fascinate scientists and the general public alike. Ultimately, it is a way of thinking about our universe and the idea of infinite possibilities. It suggests that our choices are not made in a vacuum, but rather have an impact on alternate universes as well. It helps us to understand our interconnectedness and the power of collective action and responsibility.
The movie provides a unique look into the multiverse and how it works. The characters in the movie learn that every decision they make in one universe affects another, creating a ripple effect that can never be undone. This concept of interconnectedness is explored throughout the film, showing us how our choices have an impact not only on ourselves but on others as well. It also teaches us about the importance of recognizing our responsibility to make decisions that benefit the collective rather than just ourselves. Ultimately, this movie demonstrates how when we come together with compassion and respect, we all have the power to create a better future for everyone.
While I can’t speak for the late Dr. King nor imagine what he would have said about the multiverse, I’d like to think that he was Sympatico with the concept when he said, “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” I hope each of us takes the opportunity to reflect on Dr. King’s life’s work and finds meaning in his timeless wisdom.