J. Sands Loch

2025-0224M Grok-3 Review of Surfing the Multiverse

[Grok 3 – Feb. 24, 2025] In Surfing the Multiverse: Increasing Your Happiness One Universe at a Time, J. Sands Loch takes readers on an unconventional journey through the concept of parallel universes, blending personal memoir, quantum theory, and self-help advice. Drawing from his own life experiences—such as the end of his marriage, a career change, and a move to a new state—Loch explores how the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics can serve as a framework for understanding personal happiness and decision-making. Structured into 63 short chapters, the book is accessible and easy to digest, though its episodic nature sometimes sacrifices narrative cohesion. Loch’s conversational style makes complex ideas approachable, even if it occasionally oversimplifies the science behind them.

At its core, Surfing the Multiverse argues that by imagining ourselves in different universes—where alternate choices lead to alternate outcomes—we can better navigate our own lives. Loch uses relatable anecdotes, like debating whether to have another drink or reflecting on his birthday, to illustrate how small decisions ripple across multiple realities. He also tackles profound topics such as birth and death, offering a comforting perspective that our existence continues in other universes. While his scientific explanations are not always rigorous—Loch is more philosopher than physicist—his metaphorical use of quantum concepts is thought-provoking. Readers familiar with quantum mechanics might find his interpretations loose, but the book’s strength lies in its ability to make readers reconsider their perception of reality and their place within it.

Loch’s advice, such as visualizing future selves or embracing unexpected events, is practical enough to be actionable, though some may find it too abstract. Ultimately, Surfing the Multiverse is a curious blend of genres—part memoir, part self-help, and part pop science. It won’t satisfy those seeking a deep dive into quantum theory, but for readers open to a creative exploration of happiness through the lens of parallel universes, it offers a refreshing perspective. It’s a book that encourages us to embrace the infinite possibilities of our lives—one universe at a time.

2025 Day 29: New Year of the Wood Snake

2025-0129W-0900 Austin, TX

As I’m typing this, the beautiful being in the apartment I’m visiting is getting ready to have an Ecstatic Dance inside. I have a choice now. I can continue typing OR I can stop typing and start dancing. Both universes exist regardless of the choice I make. Neither universe is of lesser value than the other. My quantum self will experience both. My classical self will experience writing now, and dancing later. I will finish this blog post first …

As the Year of the Wood Snake (乙巳, Yǐ Sì) begins, we are invited into a space of transformation, wisdom, and adaptability. The Snake, in Chinese tradition, is an intuitive navigator—one that moves between shadows and light, sensing the unseen and shifting effortlessly through obstacles. The Wood element brings an added layer of growth, flexibility, and resilience.

Universe Surfing can be thought of as the conscious movement between possibilities—the shedding of past skins and the emergence into new timelines.

The Wood Snake and Universe Surfing

The Snake thrives in subtlety, navigating through unseen forces, much like the way we experience quantum reality—the multiverse in which infinite versions of our choices play out. We surf through these possibilities not as passive observers, but as active participants, shifting realities with every decision, every intuition, and every unexpected moment.

The Wood Snake year calls us to embrace this movement, to sense the energetic flow of the universe, and to trust in our ability to shape our experience. In this spirit, let’s revisit the Three Hypotheses of Universe Surfing, now through the lens of the Snake’s wisdom.

Universe Surfing Hypothesis 1 – All Parallel Classical Universes Hold Equal Reality

Universe Surfing Hypothesis 1 – The classical universe we experience is equal in reality to the multitude of parallel classical universes that we do not experience.

Just as a Snake sheds its skin, revealing a new but equally real form beneath, we are constantly shifting between realities, even if we only experience one at a time. Each moment contains an interwoven web of potential timelines, and the version we perceive is simply the one we have tuned into—not the only one that exists.

The Wood Snake does not resist change—it embodies it. And as we step into 2025, the invitation is to release attachment to a singular, linear narrative. Whether we choose to dance or write, both universes are real. The wisdom of the Snake reminds us that we do not need to fear change, for every moment of loss, transformation, or uncertainty is also a doorway to new possibilities.

Universe Surfing Hypothesis 2 – Unexpected Events as Windows to Possible Futures

Universe Surfing Hypothesis 2 – Unexpected events are more connected to your possible futures than to your possible pasts, and therefore are useful signposts and windows to your possible futures.

In the mythos of the Snake, it is often a guardian of hidden knowledge—the whisper of insight in the darkness, the flash of intuition before a choice. When an unexpected event occurs—whether a moment of synchronicity or a sudden shift in plans—it is not random. It is a glimpse into a branching universe where other potentials are waiting.

The Snake moves without hesitation, sensing the right path not through force but through deep internal knowing. This year, we are invited to pay attention to disruptions in our paths, to treat them not as obstacles but as signposts to alternative futures. A missed train, a chance encounter, a sudden change in plans—all of these are moments where we stand at the threshold of parallel worlds, invited to peek beyond the veil of our expectations.

Universe Surfing Hypothesis 3 – The Non-Directionality of Time

Universe Surfing Hypothesis 3 – Related events influence each other and the order in which we experience two events gives us the classical impression that one event caused the other.

The Wood Snake weaves through past, present, and future, reminding us that time is not a fixed stream but a spiral, folding in on itself in ways we may not always perceive. Events that seem to be “causes” may in fact be the echoes of a future already in motion. The choices we make now ripple backward and forward, shifting the intersections of possibility in ways we might only recognize much later.

In the Year of the Wood Snake, we are called to trust the timing of things, to embrace the idea that every moment is interconnected—not as linear progressions, but as interwoven threads of experience. When an opportunity arises, ask: Is this a calling from my future self? When a challenge appears, consider: Is this an invitation to shift my path in ways I have not yet seen?

The Snake reminds us that wisdom is not just found in analysis but in deep, embodied knowing. Sometimes, we must simply move forward, even when the path is unseen.

Surfing the Year Ahead

As we step into 2025, we are surfing a universe of infinite choices, synchronicities, and realities. The Wood Snake invites us to move with purpose yet fluidity, to sense the unseen pathways, and to trust in our ability to adapt. Shed the skins of past limitations. Let intuition be your compass. The universes unfold before us, waiting to be explored.

新年快乐，万事如意！ (Xīnnián kuàilè, wànshì rúyì!)
Happy New Year! May everything go as you wish!

… such a sweet dance I just had, classically just now and my quantum self while I was blogging. In fact, while I was blogging, I noticed myself being pulled into the dance from time to time. Z was dancing with a lot of Shakti energy and it was difficult for me to stay focused in my Shiva energy.

2025 Day 28: Planetary Parade as the Moon Cycle Ends

2025-0127M-0028 Austin, TX

The first crescent moon of 2025 was visible in early January, with the moon being 3.6% illuminated on January 1st. The next crescent moon of 2025 will be particularly scenic. It will be 6% illuminated and visible an hour after sunset. For the last seven days, all planets except Mercury have been visible in a “planetary parade”.

Planetary Parade (Photo Credit: IG: cosmic_background)

2025 Day 27: Investing 123 – Three to the Third

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Today, let’s explore the power of compounding—the phenomenon that Albert Einstein reportedly called the eighth wonder of the world—through a simple mathematical lens: three to the third power (3³). This humble equation holds an enlightening lesson for investors seeking long-term growth.

The Power of 3³ and Synchronicity

3³ equals 27. While it’s a basic calculation, it symbolizes a profound concept: small increments of growth can generate exponential results over time. In investment terms, compounding works similarly by reinvesting returns to grow not just your initial principal but also the returns on those returns.

I’d like to introduce the Rule of 123. Four days ago I blogged about the synchronicity that 123 has for me, and now with this blog post it is even more synchronistic to me.

2025 Day 23: One, Two, Three – Synchronicity

Compounding in Action: The Rule of 123

To further appreciate compounding’s power, consider the Rule of 123: a simple way to estimate how long it takes for an investment (or debt) to triple. Divide 123 by your annual rate of return. For example:

• At a 12.3% return, your money triples in approximately 10 years (123 ÷ 12.3 = 10).

• At a 24.6% return, it triples in about 5 years (123 ÷ 24.6 = 5).

Now, imagine you owe $1,000 on a credit card with a 24.6% interest rate. If unpaid, the balance triples in 5 years due to compounding. After another 5 years, it triples again, and by 15 years, it has tripled three times, growing to an overwhelming $27,000.

Paying off this original $1,000 debt is equivalent to earning a guaranteed 24.6% annual return on an investment—a return that’s nearly impossible to find in the stock market. This underscores the importance of eliminating high-interest debt as a financial priority.

Three Strategies to Maximize Compounding

Start Early Time is the most critical variable. Even small contributions made in your 20s can surpass larger investments made later in life. For example, investing $200 monthly starting at age 25, with an average 8% return, grows to nearly $700,000 by age 65. Starting at 35, the same $200 monthly only reaches about $300,000.
Stay Consistent Volatility is inevitable, but regular contributions during market dips can significantly enhance long-term returns. Dollar-cost averaging—investing a fixed amount at regular intervals—helps reduce the impact of market timing.
Reinvest Dividends Dividends may seem small initially, but when reinvested, they turbocharge compounding. Over decades, they can account for a significant portion of total returns, especially in high-dividend-paying stocks.

The Caveat: Compounding Cuts Both Ways

Compounding isn’t exclusive to growth; it also magnifies debt and fees. Credit card interest, for instance, compounds in the lender’s favor, turning small balances into unmanageable debts. Similarly, excessive fees on investment accounts can erode long-term gains. A 2% annual fee may sound trivial, but over 30 years, it can slash your returns by up to 40%.

Conclusion: Think in Exponents, Not Additions

Investment compounding is about shifting your mindset from linear growth to exponential growth. It rewards discipline, patience, and long-term thinking. By optimizing the three factors—principal, rate of return, and time—you can harness the magic of 3³ and turn modest investments into life-changing wealth.

So, as you review your financial goals this year, remember the lesson of 3³: small, consistent actions grow into extraordinary outcomes over time. Embrace compounding, and let time work its wonders.

Happy investing!

Update 2025-0127M-1545 Radio East

The stock market just closed and just as it was five years ago, it was a large down day in the market. Five years ago, I posted:

2020 Day 27: SP500 has largest single-day drop since Oct 2, 2019

Unlike five years ago, today’s market drop was more technology company centric – especially influenced by an oversized drop in Nvidia. The S&P 500 dropped one and a half percent to around 6000, DOW actually gained two-thirds of a percent to around 44,700, and Nasdaq dropped a little over three percent to around 19,320. My own portfolio was up big with $APPL and $EB, and down big with $AMD.

2025 Day 26: 19 Types of Intimacy

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Many people equate intimacy with sexual intimacy. When someone asks “Are you two intimate?”, the implication is sexual intimacy. But what about all of the other ways that two people can be intimate? I believe that thinking of intimacy in the broader sense can be useful in helping people form intimate connections with others. It can also be useful in measuring one’s intimacy with someone. If you do this with multiple people, you can perhaps find patterns in which you are resistant to a particular type of intimacy. You can also find types of intimacy that come more easily for you.

1. Emotional Intimacy – Feeling safe and free to express authentically. Includes witnessing and being present with each other’s emotions, vulnerabilities, triggers, and traumas.

2. Communication Intimacy – Trusting each other to share personal details, engage in meaningful conversations, and create a space of openness and understanding.

3. Physical Intimacy – Non-sexual physical touch, such as hugging, holding hands, cuddling, and other forms of platonic closeness.

4. Sensual Intimacy – Sensory connection through touch, smell, taste, and sound. Includes stroking, massaging, or exploring someone’s body through the senses.

5. Kinetic Intimacy – Movement-based connection, such as dancing, acrobatics, physical activities, or how you move and flow together in space.

6. Sexual Intimacy – Exchanging sexual energy and sexual touch, including vulnerability in sexual expression and willingness to explore your sexuality with each other.

7. Experiential Intimacy – Sharing time, interests, activities, and passions. Includes shared adventures, hobbies, and group/tribal experiences.

8. Intellectual Intimacy – Engaging in stimulating conversations, exploring ideas, and understanding how each other’s minds work. Includes shared curiosity and appreciation for intellect.

9. Knowing Intimacy – Deep understanding of each other’s likes, dislikes, values, histories, and personal nuances. Includes knowing someone’s preferences, memories, and life story.

10. Drugs/Alcohol Intimacy – Awareness of how substances affect each other, shared experiences involving substances, and understanding historical or current use, including addictions.

11. Energetic Intimacy – How it feels to be in each other’s presence. A willingness to be impacted by their energy, aura, or emotional states.

12. Cohabitation Intimacy – Comfort and willingness to be fully exposed as a human. Includes aspects such as nudity, bodily functions, and sharing a common home.

13. Temporal Intimacy – Understanding and witnessing someone’s cycles, changes, and routines over time. Includes knowing how they are during different times of day, seasons, or life phases.

14. Sleep Intimacy – Sharing the experience of sleep, including habits, preferences, and rhythms such as snoring, talking during sleep, or waking routines.

15. Creative Intimacy – Collaborating on creative projects, artistic endeavors, or shared expression through imagination and creation.

16. Humor Intimacy – Sharing laughter, inside jokes, and understanding each other’s sense of humor as a bonding experience.

17. Cultural Intimacy – Sharing and respecting each other’s cultural backgrounds, traditions, and experiences.

18. Financial Intimacy – Transparency, collaboration, and understanding regarding finances, money management, and shared goals.

19. Spiritual Intimacy – Exploring and sharing beliefs, practices, and spiritual growth. Includes witnessing someone’s spiritual journey and holding space for sacredness.

From a universe surfing point of view, each of these types of intimacies have an attractive force on the other types of intimacies. So, increasing one form of intimacy with someone brings you closer to a universe in which another form of intimacy is increased. If you and someone else are interested in tandem universe surfing to increased intimacy, pick one of these types that most resonates with both of you and dive in!

If you like this post, you might also like one of the most viewed post I have written.

20200715W Day 197: Soulmates – Sensual, Emotional, Intellectual, Sexual, and Spiritual