St Chad’s is one of the oldest and most popular colleges in Durham. Established in 1904 as an Anglican foundation, Chad’s today welcomes students of all faiths and beliefs to study for the whole range of Durham University degrees. With nearly 400 undergraduate and 150 postgraduate students, we are a small, human-sized community with an excellent reputation as a college where students will be both challenged and supported.
..there is a book by Tony Tymstra …here is a chapter you might find interesting ...the book is on amazon the link is below. THE THEORY OF ONE Life in the Universe is unique The Theory of One suggests that everything in the Universe is an essential substructure used to create and support life here on this planet. Every single thing in the Universe is connected, and everything in it is needed or was needed to produce this unique place of life we called Earth. All the stars, all the galaxies, all the planets, everything in the Universe helped produced this single outcome. Life in the Universe only exists here and that Earth and the Universe are one place. The Theory of One examines three principal elements for life in the Universe to be unique. 1. Requirements. 2. Essential Conditions. 3. Necessary Connections and Cosmic Relationships. A simple example of a Requirement for life is the need for "sunlight." The Sun, which is a star, produces a broad spectrum of energy in the form of charged particles and electromagnetic radiation. Sunlight is only a small part of that spectrum. Plants use sunlight directly by turning carbon dioxide into sugars in a process called photosynthesis. But deep in the ocean, there are some autotrophs, a type of bacteria that do not need direct sunlight. They use the energy from the Earth's hot core. These bacteria use chemicals like methane and hydrogen sulfide emitted from hydrothermal vents on the ocean's floor to make their food. They need the Sun's energy indirectly; without this sunlight, the Earth would not have enough of its own heat to sustain them. The second principle element is the Essential Conditions, and as such, this "required sunlight" needs a unique sun. This sun will need to be the ideal candidate. We do not want a sun that produces intense bursts of deadly gamma rays or x-rays for example. The third element is the Necessary Connections and Cosmic Relationships that exist among all objects, both directly and indirectly. Continuing to follow through with this sunlight example, it would mean that this ideal sun and its delicate attributes have established a unique relationship with this planet. The Earth's magnetic field interacts with this "sunlight," providing a protective shield. This magnetic field is dependent on the structure of the planet's molten core. And as such, the Sun has a complicated relationship with Earth. It generates our weather patterns, produces the albedo effect, and even helps to develop vitamin D in the human body. The Sun's electromagnetic radiation plays a role in a countless number of other natural events here on Earth. The emerging consequences from examining these three key elements suggest that the "Requirements" for life are extremely precise and that the "Conditions" are seemingly endless. More importantly, these "Connections and Relationships" are extraordinarily demanding and far-reaching. The Theory of One goes on to say that these three principles produce an expanding relationship and profound connective dependence, which ultimately includes everything in the Universe. The Earth and the Universe are indeed one place. What are some of the logistical requirements for life to emerge on Earth? Here on this planet, we have acquired the proper blend of chemical elements needed to develop life. This correct chemical balance was only possible because of this planet's remarkable location in the Milky Way Galaxy. This planet's position is critical because if the Earth formed closer to the center of the Milky Way, then we would have acquired too many of the lighter elements, and the existence of life would have become highly unlikely. If, on the other hand, this planet was formed farther out in the galaxy, we would then have too many of the heavier elements and the possibility of life evolving and flourishing would also be highly unlikely. We can continue to expand on these aspects and requirements. For example, we also need the Moon, but not just any moon. We need this Moon and its exact properties. The Moon stabilizes the Earth's motion producing a needed steady and reliable weather system. The Moon also affects Earth's plate tectonics, which in turn plays a role in our carbon cycle. The Moon also produces the tides, which ultimately helped develop life. Our Sun is 93,000,000 miles away (150 million kilometers), for life to exist on this planet we depend on this Sun. It is an exceptional Sun; it is one which is not too hot and not too cold. This Sun needed to be in a stable state and in the proper stage of development long enough for life to develop on Earth. Not only do we need this Sun to be the right type and size of star, but we also need it to be in the correct position and distance. Now, if the Sun were just a fraction of a distance closer, then Earth's water would have eventually evaporated into space. And yet, on the other hand, if it were a fraction of the distance further away we would have become a cold dead planet of ice. This Sun has its' own vast complex requirements and "far off" external influences. Those cosmic interactions ultimately complement and support our existence. And those "far off" external influences and interactions demand their own requirements. Furthermore, we need a solar system with massive planets like Jupiter and Saturn. These planets protect us. They shield this planet from incoming asteroid disasters and comet impacts-these giant planets "sweep clean" our solar system. We needed and still need their size and gravitational strength to prevail, even though these planets are millions upon millions of miles away. But it doesn't end there. Just these two planets alone have many of their own cosmic prerequisites. They have a vast number of critical conditions and precise requirements, which are also complicated and far-reaching. All these conditions and requirements are time-sensitive; they all need to be created within a similar time period. That requirement alone is an incredible plight. We can continue to expand the idea behind the Theory of One. The Milky Way Galaxy, which we are located in, has its own vast complex requirements and correspondence. As such, it interacts with other galaxies, which in turn have their own interactions and conditions. These direct and indirect relationships support our existence and extend the connection to everything in the Universe. It is truly remarkable. This network does not stop or fade away with distance. In conclusion, The Theory of One suggests that everything in the Universe is connected and is required to support life here on this planet. Is it possible for life to exist elsewhere in the Universe? I can imagine it, but the necessary conditions to reoccur somewhere else would be astronomically rare, with an outrageously small probability. We are probably unique in this Universe. www.amazon.com/Possible-Impossible-Probable-Proof-exists/dp/B088B4SKSK/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=tony+tymstra&qid=1607226097&s=books&sr=1-1
Thank you so much to the college, choir, clergy and cathedral for carrying on this important tradition. It is such a shame for those whose time as a resident student at the college to lose one of those precious opportunities to participate in a full service in that peerless building on top of the disruption to the studies which must inevitably come with living with Covid. Let us hope for a swift return to the more typical Durham experience for you all.
Hi, assuming you work or study at Durham, would you be able to tell me if there's a communal kitchen at St Chad's College? I would really appreciate an answer as I love to cook, thanks.
