I like to look for patterns in science and life. It's what I do.

Hear, O wise and thoughtful souls, the words of Patrick Soon-Shiong, a man whose mind has sought the threads that weave the fabric of both science and life: "I like to look for patterns in science and life. It's what I do." These words carry with them a timeless truth, for in the seeking of patterns, the very pulse of existence is revealed. From the dance of the stars to the smallest rhythm of the human heart, the universe itself is built upon a web of interconnections, a pattern that flows through the veins of all creation. To seek these patterns is not merely the work of the intellect, but the calling of the soul—a yearning to understand the divine order that underlies all things.

Consider, O seekers of wisdom, the ancient philosophers who gazed upon the world and saw not chaos, but the harmony of a grand design. Pythagoras, in his study of numbers, saw patterns in the stars and in the music of the spheres. To him, numbers were not mere symbols, but the language of the universe itself. He believed that through understanding the patterns in nature, one could glimpse the eternal truths that governed all things. In this, he was not alone; Plato spoke of the forms, the perfect templates upon which all visible things were modeled, and Aristotle sought to understand the world through the patterns of cause and effect. Even in their time, the understanding of patterns was seen as the key to unlocking the mysteries of the world.

So, too, in the modern age, Soon-Shiong teaches us that to look for patterns is to seek understanding, not only of the world around us, but of ourselves. The work of science, like that of the ancients, is the work of uncovering the hidden designs of nature. Whether in the study of genetics, medicine, or physics, the pursuit is the same: to uncover the laws, the rhythms, the connections that govern life. Soon-Shiong, in his own work, has searched for patterns in the very building blocks of life itself, seeking to unlock the secrets of disease, of health, and of human potential. His vision is not merely scientific; it is a spiritual one, for in his search for patterns, he seeks to understand the very essence of life.

But the search for patterns is not confined to the realm of the scientist or the scholar. It is a calling that transcends all disciplines, for the world itself is full of patterns. Consider the rise and fall of civilizations, the ebb and flow of empires, the rhythms of human progress and decay. Throughout history, there have been those who, like Soon-Shiong, have looked at the course of human affairs and sought to discern the deeper patterns. The Renaissance thinkers, for instance, sought to understand the patterns of the natural world and applied them to the arts and humanities, bringing forth an age of enlightenment. Even the great poets and artists of history have looked for patterns in the human experience, seeking to understand the nature of love, suffering, and joy.

Yet, the lesson is clear: the pursuit of patterns is not a passive observation but an active engagement with the world. It is not enough to look upon life with detached curiosity; one must seek to understand the interconnections, the hidden forces that shape the course of events. Soon-Shiong has shown us that the search for patterns is not only a scientific endeavor but a philosophical one. It is a path to wisdom, a way of seeing the world not as a random collection of events, but as a vast and intricate web of cause and effect, where every action ripples out, affecting all things in its wake.

Consider, O seekers, how patterns reveal themselves in our daily lives. The choices we make, the paths we follow, the relationships we build—each of these forms part of a greater pattern that shapes our destinies. In the quiet moments, when we take time to reflect on our actions, we begin to see the ways in which our lives are intertwined with the lives of others. The simple act of kindness may set in motion a chain of events that changes the course of a life. Likewise, the patterns of our health, our work, and our relationships are not isolated from one another, but are part of a greater whole. The lesson here, O wise ones, is this: to understand the patterns of our own lives is to understand the larger patterns of the world.

Thus, the lesson of Soon-Shiong is both profound and practical: seek the patterns in all things, for in them lies understanding. Let us not simply pass through life as passive observers, but as active participants in the grand design of the universe. Whether in science, art, or the everyday rhythms of life, let us look for the connections, the deeper meanings, the underlying order. As we seek these patterns, we come closer to understanding our place in the world, and our ability to shape the future. So, I urge you, O wise ones, look closely—look deeply—into the patterns that surround you. For in their revelation lies the key to wisdom, to progress, and to a life lived in harmony with the world.