Karen Uhlenbeck has been awarded a major scientific prize. She’s been working for decades in fields relating to mathematics and physics. I wish I could understand such things as well as she.

Referring to her work, a dean at the University of Texas said, “Her pioneering insights have applications across a range of fascinating subjects, from string theory, which may help explain the nature of reality, to the geometry of space-time.”

What makes me pause is the “nature of reality” phrase. Yes, what we less intelligent people think of as reality is tough enough to accept. A fist will smash your nosy nose and You gotta eat are a couple of examples of what is taught to us about growing up and getting real. But, now, you say the question is Exactly what is reality?

In the movie A Few Good Men, Jack Nicholson has some famous lines about truth: You can’t handle the truth! Son we live in a world that has walls. Okay, so if we are to say reality is the truth of the matter, what makes us think we can handle that? Talk about string theory and space/time because they are beyond my understanding, but here I am thinking I understand reality and suddenly, I’m told its nature is still to be determined.

I can’t handle that.