“It’s just a couple of Euler-Lagrange equations.” I frown. “I know that. The shortest distance between two points is a line.” His eyes light. “And that’s a prediction, right? Every equation in physics is an attempt at predicting the future. It gets pretty abstract, but if you take this equation and expand it, it lets you predict how the systems of our universe evolve over time.” He drags in a breath. “Not that it works. Complex systems are too difficult to predict. But sometimes the exercise of exploring what could happen brings us to a new place.” He pauses. “Like you showing up at the end of
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