From our July issue, “Uuo” by Benjamin Landry. The history of your life, following:

1. Ununoctium occupies the lower, far-right corner of the periodic table of the elements, a foundational block below the noble gases. So, my question to you: what depends on Ununoctium?

The central conceit of my work, here, is linguistic in nature. But I am happy to take a stab at your science questions, about which I may be less informed than many other readers. This is an exercise one of my friends would call “Modern-Day Jackass.”

I suppose everything depends on Ununoctium, in as much as this element represents human curiosity. Ununoctium is largely theoretical, lab-created; it is much too unstable to exist in nature, yet scientists persist in creating it. Some of this is plain old hubris (see the naming race for theoretical elements), and some of it is to discover if these new atoms exhibit any magical properties that can be yoked to our collective benefit. On a pragmatic note, “Ununoctium” is the last poem in my manuscript, so I was pleased with the outwardswinging, theoretical connotations of having this as the “commencement” poem.

2. Can you talk more about your project structured via the periodic table? How many elements have you discovered so far?

For three years, I worked in various administrative staff capacities in the University of Michigan College of Engineering. Each day, I passed through hallways lined with research posters containing symbols from the periodic table of elements. These symbols buzzed with a different energy than when I last encountered them in high school Chemistry. I found myself sounding out the symbols as though they were phonemes, and this exercise elicited all sorts of memories, fragments, surreal scenarios, etc. Occasionally, the scientific properties of the element in question were inextricably linked with the symbol in my mind, but this was usually not the case. I guess this is a long way of saying that I am fascinated by the idea that found systems can resonate with and even organize phenomena that we do not think of as ‘systematic,’ such as memory, fantasy, spirituality, etc.  To date, I would say that eighty or so of the elements have resonated strongly enough to produce a poem. The strongest fifty-eight of these poems comprise this manuscript.

3. What would be one place that science fears to tread? At what point does theory cease to suffice?

I would guess that science is pretty much fearless. I keep thinking of the Curies…that at some point, they must have understood radiation thoroughly enough to realize that they were killing themselves for the sake of discovery.

4. Ununoctium has a half-life of just under one millisecond. So, really, how much time can we afford to wait for our carbon?

That’s right. Better stock your bomb shelter.

5. Speaking of which, our carbon: a facsimile of what?

We’re carbon-based lifeforms, so take your pick!

6. Where would you look for the next atom of Uuo, and how many would that make in all?

I Saw U

My Missing Particle

Remember me? You came into the Chanticleer looking a little lost. Tall boots, neon scarf. I was the sandy blond with the plaid shirt. I said something about the rain, and you smiled. Thought we might’ve had some chemistry. Turned for a nanosecond to order you a drink, but when I looked back, you were gone. Want to try again?

When: Tuesday, September 4

Where: State and Cayuga
I saw a: Teeny electron
I am a: Big-ass nucleus