Transcription
Paying money can get you bread. Paying taxes can get you rights. Paying labor can get you compensation. So, what exactly must be paid to understand the knowledge of the world?
In the 15th century, the Kingdom of P, an inquisitor was interrogating a scholar. In front of the scholar, he counted how many fingernails he had previously removed from others. Then, he began his severe torture and interrogation.
In the prison cell, the teacher asked everyone what they knew about the center of the universe. The good student, Raphael, raised his hand and answered: "Of course, it's the Earth." Teacher Pototsky, his adoptive father, praised Raphael, saying he was worthy of being his adopted son. Then, in front of his classmates, he announced that Raphael would go to university at the age of 12. When asked what he wanted to major in, Raphael naturally replied: "Of course, theology. Theology is the pinnacle of all learning." He then spouted a lot of flattery, saying, "I hope to choose a field that can contribute to the Church," to polish his image and win applause from the entire class.
But in reality, Raphael was thinking: "The world is so easy to navigate." For him, this flattery was simply the law of survival. His belief was "to live reasonably." Reasonable things are always beautiful. Therefore, by adhering to this belief, he appeared to everyone as incorruptible, intelligent, humble, and capable.
After class, his adoptive father noticed the star chart in Raphael's hand. Raphael proudly shared that he had observed a sixth-magnitude star for the first time the previous night. Let me briefly explain here: a sixth-magnitude star refers to its apparent magnitude. Apparent magnitude is the brightness we see when observing stars. The dimmer the star, the higher its magnitude. A first-magnitude star is a hundred times brighter than a sixth-magnitude star. Therefore, a sixth-magnitude star is an extremely dim star, visible only to those with excellent eyesight. Eyesight played a crucial role in astronomical observation at that time. I will provide further details later in the story when appropriate. Incidentally, modern astronomy continues to use the concept of apparent magnitude, even extending it to "negative magnitudes" for celestial bodies brighter than first-magnitude stars. For example, Sirius has a magnitude of -1.45, and the Sun is -26.7.
Returning to the story, his adoptive father, knowing Raphael was still observing stars, said: "From now on, do not study astronomy anymore. Dedicate all your time to theology." Raphael was a bit taken aback but could only say: "I understand." Then, his adoptive father asked Raphael to help welcome his old acquaintance, Herbert. Herbert had been arrested for researching forbidden knowledge and had now reformed. Therefore, his adoptive father asked Raphael to host a welcoming reception for him.
The next day, he saw heretics being burned in the square. The inquisitor was standing nearby. Raphael walked quickly and soon arrived at the city gate to meet Herbert. Herbert coldly told him to lead the way. But midway, he asked Raphael if he was going to university and if he wanted to major in astronomy, as he had noticed Raphael's astrolabe. This tool was used for observing stars and can be understood as a celestial calculator. It can determine the time from the sun's position and, from a given date, calculate which star is in which direction and at what degree at a certain hour of the night. Herbert then looked at Raphael's observation records and discovered he could see sixth-magnitude stars. With his observation records, the research could continue...
Therefore, he threatened Raphael with force. Clearly, his claim of reform was a lie to survive. He wanted to use Raphael's records to continue his research because he had unfinished business. Under duress, Raphael agreed to cooperate. Herbert then asked him where he usually observed from and said he knew a better observation spot. "You'll be scared to death. I'll tell you tomorrow." Then he left. Raphael breathed a sigh of relief. At first, he thought, "I won't go crazy with him." But then he remembered the observation spot Herbert mentioned. "No! No! No matter how I think about it, it's too dangerous! Nothing good will come of going!"
He went to the observation spot and was overjoyed. It was high, vast, and the air was very clean, perfect for observation. Herbert also mentioned that the rocks and mountains on one side looked like Orion's Belt. After observing for a while, Raphael finally couldn't help but ask: "What exactly is this forbidden research you're doing?" Herbert countered: "Do you know the shape of the universe?" Raphael replied: "All celestial bodies revolve intricately around the Earth." Then, he drew the orbits of different planets revolving around the Earth. I will insert a diagram of the solar system's orbits centered on Earth here.
Have you ever wondered if planets revolve around the Earth? How were stars other than planets understood in the past? Classical astronomy also had the concept of the celestial sphere. The Earth was like the inside of a perfectly round egg. Planets moved around inside the egg, and the stars were on the inner wall of the egg. The egg itself rotated, which is why the Earth saw the stars in the sky move. The stars were like small glowing dots painted on the inner wall of the egg, similar to sticking luminous dots on the ceiling. That's why they were called "fixed stars," because they were eternally stationary on the inner wall of the egg (in the past, the Sun was considered a planet, and stars were considered fixed stars).
Herbert then asked: "Do you think this universe is beautiful?" Raphael paused and said that beauty is irrelevant to academic truth. "You're avoiding the question," Herbert said. "Do you think it's beautiful yourself?" Raphael reluctantly said: "I find it a bit too complicated. The orbits of each planet have no commonality, no 'order.' This chaotic state is unreasonable, so it's not very beautiful." However, Raphael added, "Although it's not beautiful, it's regrettable. But there can't be a single order that represents the entirety of the universe. So this kind of question is futile."
"No, this question is very serious," Herbert said. "I don't want to live in an ugly universe." But Raphael said that abandoning truth for beauty is putting the cart before the horse. Although complicated, this truth is very precise. As long as the stars are moving and the sun is rising. Herbert said: "What if the sun and stars don't move?" Raphael didn't understand. If the sun and stars don't move, what makes the Milky Way move in the sky now? "It's the Earth." It's not the sun rising, but us falling. We have morning every day because the Earth rotates on its own axis, which is rotation. Seasonal changes occur because the Earth revolves around the sun, which is revolution. In my view of the universe, the Earth undergoes both motions simultaneously. The sun is stationary, and the planets revolve around the sun. This universe can establish an order. Thus, 'beauty' will intersect with 'truth.' This is my research, and this theory is called 'heliocentrism'."
But Raphael then raised three questions about heliocentrism. First, if the Earth is rotating, why do we land in the same spot after jumping? This is like asking why, when jumping on a moving train, you don't stay suspended in the air while the train moves forward, landing further back than when you jumped. By the way, do you all know why you land in the same spot? You can leave an answer in the comments or say "I don't know." If many people truly don't know why you land in the same spot, I can explain it in the next episode.
Second, even if heliocentrism is correct, who would support it? The Earth is the center because God arranged it so, because the Earth has humanity. How can this theory be denied? Third, it's foolish to entrust your life to intuition. Herbert said: "What you say is correct, but I disagree with the third point. In situations where the stakes are highest, I choose intuition." But Raphael asked: "What if intuition is wrong?" "It doesn't matter. Incorrect doesn't mean meaningless."
But Raphael didn't want to risk his life for this theory. He said he wouldn't come tomorrow, but Herbert still told him to continue observing stars tomorrow and left. As Raphael left, he still rejected the theory of heliocentrism in his heart. But he suddenly tripped and saw the scene before him invert. For a moment, he thought the entire mountain had flipped over. He suddenly connected that the scene before him was moving, but it was he who was truly moving. He was like the Earth, and the mountain was like the sun. If the observer is moving, even if the object is stationary, it will appear to be moving.
Then, he went home and immediately calculated this possibility. If the Earth rotates and revolves simultaneously... then the universe... is like this.
For the next few days, Raphael continued to observe stars for Herbert. Raphael couldn't help but ask Herbert why he risked abandoning heaven to do this research. "Are you trying to deny God?" "On the contrary," Herbert replied. "I am doing this because I believe in God." Because I believe that the world created by God must be the most beautiful. To obtain truth, one must use intellect to try and understand God's deeds in one's mind. Therefore, I read nature, not the Bible.
But Raphael also asked: "Don't you find this kind of life terrifying?" "Yes, I do. But a life without fear lacks the essence of life." Then Herbert said that after observing up to this point, he had found his research method. Raphael was surprised and asked what he should do tomorrow. Herbert said: "It's your freedom, but continue studying astronomy, for yourself."
The next day, Raphael met the inquisitor Novak. He claimed he wanted to inquire about Herbert's post-reform activities. Raphael said he had turned over a new leaf and was living a serious life. But Novak produced Raphael's notes on heliocentrism and asked what they were. "They were found on your bookshelf, containing very detailed heretical research." Herbert appeared at this moment and said they were his notes. He had hidden them on Raphael's bookshelf, thinking they would be difficult to find. Raphael was surprised, as a heretic caught a second time would inevitably be sentenced to death. Although Novak was suspicious, with Herbert insisting the notes were his, he could only take Herbert away. Before leaving, Herbert gave Raphael a necklace.
As Herbert was being led away, Raphael said: "Are you really leaving? Didn't you say you had unfinished business?" "It's done now." After that, Herbert was burned at the stake. Raphael looked at the necklace left for him. It had three points representing Orion's Belt, and the middle point, Betelgeuse, was black. He remembered that when Herbert first took him to the observation spot, he had said that the rocks and mountains nearby corresponded to Orion's Belt.
So, he went to the mountain representing Betelgeuse and found the research Herbert had left. It contained a letter from Herbert. In the letter, Herbert asked him to entrust someone to burn all the data for him. He believed that Raphael was closer to heliocentrism than anyone else. However, he himself lacked the courage to burn the research and hoped to entrust it to someone more capable. "Your 'reason' is definitely stronger than my 'intuition'."
At first, Raphael also wanted to burn all the research. But looking at the raging fire he had lit with reason, the impulse of "intuition" made him extinguish the flame, because his intuition wanted to believe in heliocentrism even more.
From then on, Raphael decided to major in astronomy at university. He knew he was not incorruptible, intelligent, humble, and capable. He was merely stubborn, arrogant, rash, and powerless. "From today, I will move the Earth."
But Raphael's adoptive father strongly opposed his choice of astronomy. He explicitly stated that if Raphael insisted, he would not sign the admission letter. Raphael had to lie and say he would give up astronomy. His plan was to get into university first and then, even if he studied theology, he could join the astronomy department.
The next day, Raphael was secretly calculating mathematics related to heliocentrism. Before his adoptive father returned, he planned to burn all the papers used for calculations. Then he would take the transcribed data and put it into the stone box on the mountain. On his way home, he encountered Novak again. Novak noticed Raphael wearing Herbert's necklace. Raphael said it was to remind himself not to forget his anger and vigilance towards heretics. Novak continued to ask a few more questions, but Raphael responded perfectly.
Upon returning home, Raphael found unfinished draft papers on his desk. He was startled and discovered that the calculations on the paper had been corrected. His adoptive father said from behind him: "This kind of paper easily extinguishes naturally. If you want to burn it, you must see it turn to ash before leaving." Raphael asked about the modifications to the calculations. But his adoptive father claimed to know nothing. Raphael realized he had been too conspicuous lately and decided to wait until university to restart his research.
Recalling Novak's questions, Raphael wrote a letter. Soon, Novak came to Raphael's house to see his adoptive father. He first mentioned the adoptive father's past heretical record, which was precisely for heliocentrism. The adoptive father immediately said he had reformed. Novak then mentioned that if he were declared a heretic a second time, he would be burned to death. His body would be burned to ashes, and he would have no body to resurrect at God's final judgment. He would be reduced to nothingness.
After scaring the adoptive father, Novak asked: "Your adopted son is doing heretical research, isn't he?" The adoptive father was startled and immediately denied it. Novak said: "Although I have no evidence now, if I know someone is doing heretical research and don't report it, you will also be in trouble. And your adopted son is a first-time offender. As long as he is willing to reform, he can be released immediately." Then, Novak left.
That evening, the adoptive father asked Raphael: "Do you think there's a way to prove heliocentrism?" "Yes!" Raphael replied. After that, his adoptive father told him to sleep and they would discuss it in detail tomorrow.
The next morning, Novak appeared before Raphael. Inside the prison, Novak threatened Raphael with torture instruments. He then said that as long as he swore to reform during the trial and burned all heretical research materials, he would not be tortured. He could even continue his university studies without any repercussions. After Novak left, Raphael pondered alone. "I am a scholar, with a future full of expectations and hope. If I hadn't encountered heliocentrism... why did I make this choice? Helocentrism has no meaning at all."
At this moment, a ray of moonlight shone through the prison window. The view from this window was very small, but Raphael could see the entire universe more clearly.
On the day of the trial, Raphael admitted his guilt. The presiding judge asked him to swear to reform and that he could attend university. Raphael then took his admission letter. "I swear, I believe in heliocentrism."
That evening, Raphael was given a bottle of wine in his cell. Novak said they would give him this wine the day before the torture. Raphael shared the wine with Novak. Novak asked why he was wasting his opportunity. Because Raphael didn't want the heliocentrism data to be burned. But Novak believed that under torture, it would eventually be burned. Raphael said: "Your enemies are tricky. Your opponents are not me, not heretics. But some kind of imagination, some kind of curiosity, something that deviates from the norm, an outsider. In short, it's intellect. It will multiply like a contagion, uncontrollable even by the host. No single organization can tame it."
Novak asked: "For your future, is this choice the correct answer?" "Of course not correct." "But incorrect doesn't mean meaningless. By the way, do you know the effect of mustard seeds?" "If you mix mustard seeds with poison, you can die without pain. And I just put that into my cup." Novak immediately grabbed his throat, but Raphael said he only added it to his own cup. Novak was surprised. Suicide is against doctrine, and one would face a terrible fate after death. However, Raphael said: "No one knows what happens after death. Socrates said: 'No one has tasted death, yet everyone regards it as the greatest evil.' Epicurus said: 'Where we are, death is not; where death is, we are not.' Seneca said: 'As long as I can make good use of my life, then life is long enough.' I agree with all of these."
Novak said: "These are pagans from two thousand years ago, ignorant people before the birth of the Savior. What can be said from the words of these people?" "There is inspiration," Raphael said. "Mr. Herbert's body disappeared after his death, but the inspiration he left behind remains. I think inspiration is probably more important than lifespan. Therefore, even if it means exchanging my life, I want to preserve this inspiration." Novak only thought sacrificing oneself for a meaningless cause was madness. But Raphael believed this was "love."
Thus, that night, Raphael died of poisoning. His corpse, even after death, could not escape being burned to ashes.
Ten years later, two people holding Herbert's necklace arrived at a mountain. They found a stone box overgrown with plants. Inside was a letter written by Raphael before his arrest.
This story is about the first volume of the manga "The Movement of the Earth." Finally, I've started. Ever since I first read the manga, I've wanted to tell the story. From when there was no news of an anime, to news of an anime, to the anime's broadcast, and now that the anime has finished, I've finally started filling this long-standing gap. The reason I like this story so much is that I personally love astronomy. Many plot transformations are related to the history of astronomical development. For example, the next episode will allude to the stories of Tycho Brahe and Kepler. I believe that among Cantonese YouTubers in Hong Kong, few can provide the same level of interpretation. So even if you've read the story of the Earth, I believe you can gain different insights from my explanation. This episode is just an introduction, and there aren't many astronomy-related things. I can only talk about apparent magnitude, which is probably more common knowledge. Personally, I like the later part of the story the most because I can see that the author has incorporated a lot of astronomical knowledge and historical stories into it. And there's even a bit of medieval philosophy. I will supplement and explain these when I talk about them.
Finally, I'll say a little about my understanding of medieval scientists. Often, through modern rendering, we have a "confronting religion to seek truth" filter for scientists of that era. But in reality, Herbert represents the true attitude of scientists at that time. They believed in God and simultaneously explored the natural world. For them, analyzing this world was analyzing God's creation. The difference, if I have to say, is what the story calls "intellect." Some imagination, some curiosity. They would calculate, explore, and investigate possibilities because of "intellect." This is also the difference between conspiracy theorists and heliocentrism. Many people who believe in conspiracy theories or alternative medicine theories will identify with the heliocentric camp when watching this story, believing that what they firmly believe is the truth. Modern medicine or official statements are the Novaks who oppress them. They mistakenly believe that their "anti-mainstream" theory is the heliocentrism of our time. But if you pay a little attention, you will find a world of difference between the two. Raphael would calculate, read astronomical data, and study astronomy for heliocentrism. Intellect and curiosity drive you to learn and increase knowledge. Conspiracy theories, on the other hand, only require you to remain ignorant and foolish. Just as I critiqued the dark web users in a previous live stream as "thinking without learning is perilous," that time was precisely about how we calculate the Earth-Sun distance in astronomy. If you're interested, you can watch the highlights of that live stream on the top right. I already said then that conspiracy theories are about imagining a situation and believing it to be true. And then, without any knowledge, they insist that their imagined scenario is the truth. Just like in that live stream, I talked about dark web users saying the Sun's distance is closer than scientifically calculated. But anyone who has studied basic astronomy knows that the Earth-Sun distance is verifiable. How we calculated it back then is traceable. This is a typical case of "thinking without learning is perilous." Just imagining without learning makes you a fool. Therefore, there is a fundamental difference in "intellect" between conspiracy theories and heliocentrism.
Just like the question at the beginning of the story: What exactly must be paid to understand the knowledge of the world? The payment for conspiracy theories is cheap talk. Conspiracy theories promote the idea that you can gain knowledge without learning. So, conspiracy theorists should not watch this story and flatter themselves into thinking they are heliocentrists. Conspiracy theories are inherently anti-intellectual. They provide shortcuts, making you think you know without learning. True intellect, on the other hand, drives you to learn. This is also why I really want to tell this story. I see many conspiracy theorists distorting this story on social media. So, in the first episode, I want to expose this illusory delusion.