Science Fiction : Half Eaten Apple

 

Science Fiction : Half Eaten Apple

Yesterday, I went out to stroll in the small backyard of the house. There is a fig tree that stands tall and it spreads its branches almost in every direction like an umbrella so eager to spread outwards beyond its permissible limits. And under the fig tree, is a small apple tree, where still ripening apples as big as plums dangled on the branches. Few of the apples bore black spots. 

Well, after a few minutes I got occupied with some other thoughts and forgot about the apple tree. 

But in the morning, when I woke up, I saw a sparrow pecking at a few apples. She was engrossed in savouring her sweet and sour treat, of green and not fully grown apples. With every peck she looked around and then examined her surroundings to investigate if she was being watched or being drawn into a trap. And all of a sudden, a purple coloured, fully ripe and juicy fig, fell from one of the branches and landed on the head of the sparrow. The sparrow got dislodged from her perch, and when she was about to hit the ground, she flapped her wings and flew away.

Two days have passed, but the sparrow has not flown to the branch to peck at the remaining core of the half eaten apple. That now has turned rusty brown on one side and on the other end, it is still green.The green side is still trying to grow into a fully mature apple.

That is life. Always exerting its force to keep growing and bounce back when you least expect it to. Just like the half eaten apple, that is still hanging to the branch and growing.

Now this incident may appear to be a common sight for many orchard owners, or people like me who live in urban houses, and while strolling in the backyard they come across an apple tree , with many half eaten apples. The urban man/woman will be preoccupied with so many interactions mentally, that he/she will only notice the half eaten apple, just like most of us would.

Afterall, we all are not destined to be Mr. Isaac Newton. Because I am sure, many people walking or sitting under an apple tree may have experienced an apple falling from the branch and hitting their heads.

But it took Mr. Isaac Newton’s head to realise that it was Gravity that pulled the apple into its forceful lap and caused it to fall from the branch. Otherwise it should have remained suspended in the air. Shouldn't it!

And this is what I call common sense that precedes every great invention or discovery.

Now, did I too encounter a moment like Mr. Isaac Newton did, when he experienced the apple landing right on his head? The answer is a both yes and a no.

It is complicated. Right?

Let me simplify it and come to the rudimentary objective of my reference pertaining to the half eaten apple, that was still green, hard and still growing. As if it were adamant to hang on there, as long as it had not fully ripened and turned red and become fully edible. For sometime this sight resided in my mind like an indolent thought, oscillating between precariousness of this per chance observation and vivid spectrum of possibilities that this incident could conjure up in the thinking part of my brain. 

And as it is, for some reason, right from my childhood, I feel there is a part of my brain that never sleeps, it keeps seeking means of whittling its limitless nodes of curiosity. Which I feel, I have them in surplus, more than the ordinary. Maybe it is an exaggeration, but I feel so. And I like being honest about feelings and otherwise too when it comes to dealing with affairs of life.

Ah, did I just indulge in a little bit of neural narcissism! No, no, please spare me this accusation. I just said it to make you smile, because this topic will lead you from a half eaten apple, into a scientific possibility that can become the main topic of a PHD research scholar pursuing Botany.

I did it again. Self praise! 

Anyway, didn't it make you chuckle a bit, and I am sure, you scrolled up and then you moved your cursor a bit, to see who this, maverick of a blog writer is. Be honest. Didn't you?

Let me be honest. I would have done so!

Now back to the half eaten apple, that is rusty brown on one side and its other half that is still green and hard, is growing normally. And if you can recall, I referred to the ripe fig that fell and hit the poor sparrow that almost escaped crashing against the ground.

When I looked at the fig tree, there were a few figs that were pecked at by the same sparrow. But in the case of figs; doctor, called nature, had allowed few figs to rot, whereas a select few had not rotten. But in the case of apples, 87% of half eaten apples were still growing and their remaining half was turning greener and healthier.

What?

Yes, it is true and here is what I noticed:

The small apple tree still growing just like my brain:

• Total apples: 25

• Apples with black spots: 4

• Apples without black spots: 21

—-----

• Apples half eaten and still growing: 5

• Apples half eaten and not growing: 1

—------

• Apples with black spots, that were half eaten and growing or not growing: could not establish it because it is possible the side that was pecked at contained the black spots. So I am excluding this observation in this case.

My conclusion based on these observations:

A- Based on my experiences from my younger days, when I would scale the length and breadth at our apple orchard in the countryside. If an apple tree had an apple bearing black spots, most of the apples would bear the same spots on this tree and the surrounding apple trees. If not all. Almost 80% apples did develop these spots on a given apple tree which was plagued by this condition. 

But in the case of the apple tree in the Urban backyard, the percentage of spotted apples was far less. 

So, I thought, what is going on? Logically, most of the apples should bear these black spots. So I thought about Tarzan, who was a gifted Animal whisperer. I summoned some of his whispering talent, and for a moment I assumed the form of the apple whisperer. And I spoke to the apple tree:

“You have so many apples hanging on your tiny branches. Few of the apples have black spots, whereas most of them have managed not to be infected by this condition. How come?”

The apple tree did not even rustle a leaf, leave alone talk to me or enter into a conversation with me.

But then, I persisted. And finally few leaves rustled, one of the small branches shook a bit and the apple tree spoke:

“Look carefully you stupid! For scientific probing one must free his/her mind from the clutter of information and knowledge, and then examine a surrounding with an open mind like a baby, who has joined a kindergarten of science classes. Then you will notice something very surprising. And also think of the one you love, who often said, “there is always a better way.” So, investigate and look at the pattern of my branches. That is all I have to share with you. Now leave me in peace!”

I felt agitated by its response that appeared so cold. But sometimes, a good teacher has to be stern as well. Otherwise, the pupil will remain shackled to the eternity of ignorance.

I ran my right hand over the lean stump of the very young apple tree. Then as I was sliding my hand downwards, it got caught at the junction where the branches were spreading outwards. Almost like an umbrella, but inside out, with its spokes piercing outwards. This too was not usual, because an apple tree this small, should not have so many branches arising from the base of its stump. Quite unusual. This, stirred the Newtonian curiosity in me.

And there it was. Right there!

The branches that shafted outwards from the main stump, possessed a layer of bark that appeared like an organic bandage, that had been wrapped across these branches.

Now how could this be?

The only possibilities:

1- The branches had broken and had been tied together with something organic that later merged with the branches

2- When the branches were growing their bark had been chipped slightly and that grew back to assume the current bulge in the bark

3- The base stump of the apple tree was grafted with 3 or 4 different varieties of apples ( My father had a crazy head like me. Excessively curious and relentlessly seeking new literary and scientific highs. Only he could think of grafting an apple tree with so many varieties of apples ) Anyway, scientific probing should not be influenced by parental love, and the rule applies in this case as well. 

Right?

Otherwise it will be a sin committed in the realm of Botany. And apple has already caused the great fall. At least I shall make an honest attempt to refrain from letting a half eaten apple be the cause of my fall. 

So, when I observed carefully, all branches had a similar bulge. Now it is impossible that all three and main branches would break at the same time and collapse. So this possibility has no logical validation.

The bark could be peeled or chipped partially, because if the bark is peeled fully across the diameter of the branch. The branches will die because their xylem and phloem will get disconnected. So this possibility also does not stand the test of further probing. Moreover, the bandage like bulge grew across the branches with a prominent and still rugged patch of bark on the upper side.

And when I looked at the apples, they too looked a little different. So it was the case of traditional Kashmiri Grafting.

B- Only a certain variety of apples on a particular branch, had black spots. So the parasite, fungus or scabies, whatever it was, was infecting only a particular variety of apple and not the rest.

C- And the sparrow had pecked only on certain apples not all. Well, to answer this part of the puzzle, I had to invoke my primitive instincts and taste an unripe, and half eaten apple, on the green side. It was slightly sweet and bit sour. Then I took a small bite off the apple that was not pecked at, I bit few of them. Not that I was hungry, but my brain was! And these apples tasted a bit sour and bitter, their glucose content was still not dominant, and somehow the tiny sparrow knew it.

That is the power of nature. It is wise and it engineers processes that evolve to preserve nature, not destroy it.

Master conclusion.

Maybe the other dwellers of the house are of the belief, that the curious man who grafted three different varieties of apples on a single apple tree; was just being too curious for no valid reason. But that is not true. I think he knew what he was doing, and according to me he has solved a great problem that many apple orchard owners face in Kashmir and around the world too. Apple crops become susceptible to scabies and menaces like pests and fungal invasions.

But, there are few varieties of apples that are resistant to these parasitic or fungal invasions. And by examining the growth patterns and genetic composition of these resistant apples, it will be easy to develop organic varieties of apples that are naturally resistant to these invasions. No need to spray them with noxious pesticides and yield boosting steroids. The fertilisers!

Moreover, that is not it.

You are forgetting the half eaten apples, whose other half is still growing and healthy. My God, the mention of "other half" reminded me of my "better half!"

In case of figs only few figs survived, inspite of the fact that they had been pecked at partially. But when I opened those figs, they had small larvae inside them. I was expecting it to be so. Because the ripe figs, were laden with jelly like sweet juice inside, and once pecked at, the juice dripped, it attracted some flies that laid their eggs, and there you are. The larvae clue is revealed.

But in case of raw figs, that somehow got pecked at; had re-patched the outer dermis and looked healthy. This is self explanatory. If you still do not get it. Try eating a raw fig and meet me the next day!

But in case of apples, almost all half eaten apples were growing well.

Reason!

I know you want to know the reason. But let me also be sure and examine it in the chamber of my common sense and vet it based on the memory of my old botany classes, that I had attended 24 years ago.

So, what happened here?

The apples hang on the branch via the tiny and slim thing called "stalk." Remember that stalk, you sometimes see hanging with the apples you buy from the market. Yes that one.

It is the only connection between the apple and the tree that supplies the apple with necessary nutrients via photosynthesis. In case of all half eaten apples that were growing well, this stalk was intact, and the half eaten apple was still receiving its constant supply of nutrients via this tiny and selfless stalk. And apples like many fruits, when they are growing on the branches, have a self repair system, just like human cells that tend to heal our wounds. The half eaten side of the apple, turned brown, then rusty brown, and it healed. So my little knowledge tells me, it was iron and something else at work. This covered the half eaten side of the apple with a protective layer and saved it from rotting.

But there is another point that I should not miss. I did refer to apple that was half eaten and rotten. If I remember well, there was rainfall, few days ago, and my guess would be, that when an apple is pecked at and it rains, and drizzles for few days continuously, the apple's healing process fails. It has to be dry and exposed to sunshine. For apples, sunshine works as disinfectant. Photons in sunlight kill lot of germs and parasites. Just in case you did not know about this.

So why did I even write about something like this. I should focus on writing about my usual topic i.e. Science Fiction, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Well, this is a habit I have developed from my father and my lady ( remember my better half ) And sometimes to understand a thing or a topic better, you need to wrangle the concept in ways never tried before. So, before this juggling of words and thoughts becomes the seed of a feeling where you wish to punch my face. Let me come to the main point.

Science fiction is an amazing and fascinating genre. You would agree, that is why you visit this blog, like the sparrow visited the apple tree. Although after being hit with the fig, I have never seen the poor sparrow.

Now imagine an Algorithm, that is fed with data corresponding to apple trees . All these apple trees are classified based on different traits. Taste, place of origin, soil type, temperature, winter conditions, tree size, volume of apples, colour of apples etc. etc. etc. It will be a huge list of traits once someone undertakes a project of this scale.

Then we introduce these apples to parasitic, fungal and other invasions. We examine the apples that were completely invaded, examine the apples that were partially invaded and then the apple from Eden, that was not invaded at all because it was tasted not by me, but by Adam and Eve. Feed this data into the database.

Now graft some apple trees and check results.

Now plant apples from region X in region Y and document results.

And introduce parasites and fungal agents from region Y into region X and examine results.

Think of all possible combinations, execute them and feed the results in the database.

Then based on AI model's algorithmic efficiency, we will be able to define apples suitable for every region, and no matter how much the parasite evolves, the apples will not be infected. Moreover, I say it again. We should learn from nature.

In nature there are parasites that feed on other parasites. I am sure you know where I am going with this.

But all these AI based examinations need enormous amount of Patience, Dedication, Honesty, Love for nature, Love for Earth, Love for your lady, that should not be missed, and then magic happens. But most of the PHD students write their thesis just to clear their exams and secure a degree. Their goal is not to find something that has never been discovered before or imagined by anyone. And this is exactly where the West wins hands down and many countries in the East fail completely.

I can offer you an apple that will be resistant to infections. I already have it in the backyard. Where I noticed something else too.

Fig tree and apple tree growing in same compound with just 2 feet separating them is a bad combination. Because the nectar that drips from fragile skin of figs, that raptures automatically once it is ripe, attracts many flies, and their larvae, reproduce like a breeding machine gone crazy. And when this wise sparrow pecks on the apple on a cloudy day, the flies get attracted to the half eaten apple too and then it is doomed. 

Now had the apple tree not been in the backyard, I am sure I would have made different observations, Because then the type of flies and their concentration would have been different.

There is one more catch here. These flies are seasonal and they do not breed or are not active throughout the year. And the apples, that were still unripe, little sour and bitter, did not get pecked at. So introducing apple varieties while keeping in mind the breeding and active season of flies, will actually solve the problem. On which orchard owners across the globe spend billions of $.

Here is a solution that can actually work, it needs initial investment to train the AI model, and then, you save billions.

Perhaps you can use that saved money, to help a smart girl somewhere pursue her education and help her fly high and reach for the stars. Give wings to her dreams. There is no greater joy than this and no better high for the soul and spirit alike. Or you can invest with me, and we will build a space exploration society aimed at finding new planets where life is possible. If nothing, we will go to the Mars and build next home for deserving and kind humans. By kind I do not mean they should be gullible, they ought to be valiant, courageous, righteous, morally strong, principled and extremely focused. They deserve a new home and a new planet too.

Ah! Now those of you whom I discredited based on my whimsical writing need, please do not be disheartened. Earth is not going anywhere for 500 years. To be exact for another million years. So here is our chance to make it a better place to live and love humanity, and everything that Earth offers selflessly to us. Because it is getting hot. And dated: July 07, 2023, based on United Nations' Secretary General, “with world temperature records broken for consecutive two days, the climate change is out of control.”

And trust me, when Global Warming reaches its peak, the flies will die because they will be charred. You might be thinking the apples now have one menace less to deal with. But not really, because without flies there shall be no apples too. You see, it is all interconnected.

And it was this need, this curiosity, that keeps bubbling in my head, that I wrote my first science fiction novel, They Loved in 2075. It awakens the reader to the reality of AI and Machine learning in 2075, and all this via a wonderfully written love story. Where the main character named Saabir, wants to love his beautiful woman, but he struggles. Poor fellow has to deal with self aware machines trying to woo his beautiful girlfriend, and then the war they wage on his clan and other clans forces him to fight the battle for survival.

Despite these hardships and will breaking tactics, he manages to crush their attempts to wipe out the last human settlements. And his girlfriend in the end, accepts that it is always worth falling in love with a human, and not a machine that feels and looks like humans.

This science fiction novel also raises some important questions: How will humans experience love in 2075? This science fiction novel navigates through the possibility of men and women falling in love with machines, without knowing they are robots imitating human emotions. Will you still dare to fall in love in 2075 or will you strive to tell the difference between a human lover and a robotic lover?

This Sci-fi novel tells the story of a man who falls in love with a real woman in 2075. And how he struggles to feel human and keep his emotional composition intact.

This Sci-fi story also aims at revealing why the man chose to love a real woman and not a never ageing and always beautiful woman with synthetic feelings. In 2075, this might be a choice we all will have to make. Especially our children!

Now do you realise the magic of an apple? In this case half eaten apple. It drove Adam out of Paradise along with Eve. But God was so gracious and benevolent, that they found apples on Earth as well.

Now that they had tasted the fruit, God did not want them to die craving for it.

So, as we progress in AI and Machine learning, let us not forget where we came from and who we are? We came from the stars and that is where we belong. And that is who we are, star men and star women born of the stars, and that is where we shall be. Among the stars!

At least I have every reason to believe so. But to be there, let us not forget to acknowledge the gifts of God and learn to be grateful for everything God offers us. And the biggest gift of all, being the Earth. God gave it to us for free, and there was only one purpose behind it, to create another Eden and do the God proud!

I do not know if we have succeed in doing so. Considering the Climate Change, Global Warming and other Global issues, we are failing on this front. But, if we act now we shall make it to the stars, and do God proud as well. Because the apple maybe half eaten, but it has a magical property to self heal. Perhaps even the apple wants to give us a second chance!

Take it if you can and let us reside among the stars.

And if you still are unable to gather the courage and find the right reason, read the science fiction novel, They Loved in 2075!

Now please do not accuse me of being too persistent. Well, I deserve that much leniency because I offered the bounties of entire backyard to you for free. Didn't I?

Anyway, absorb this thought, dabble with it a bit, and then I am sure you will find your curiosity that shall make you believe that we indeed belong in the midst of the stars.

While you are doing so, let me pluck the half eaten apple bearing that light reddish tinge, and let me savour it, and experience the rise of humanity. And not the fall, not this time. We have experienced enough falls already. 

If we fall again, then we shall undoubtedly be cast into some blackhole.

Choose well, and I welcome us all among the stars, because we all carry the starlight within us!

I conclude this blog post, with Mr. Walter Pater's quote: To burn always with this hard, gemlike flame, to maintain this ecstasy, is success in life.