The Selenverse Issue Fourteen

Hello everyone! Welcome to this week's issue; I'm your guide, Selen.

Today, we will discuss updates on the most recent developments and breakthroughs in space and tech sectors. We also welcome our new expert, Akshay Nandwana ???? , to the Expert Corner.

Don't forget to follow Grow with Selen. The first episode is coming soon, and it is about building lasting habits to make this year your year!

News from Space and Technology:

JWST Captures Record-Breaking 44 Stars in a Galaxy 6.5 Billion Light-Years Away

Images of 44 individual stars in a galaxy around 6.5 billion light-years away have been taken by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), marking a significant finding. This is an important finding because it allows scientists to study individual stars in distant galaxies in much more detail than was previously feasible. This is a record amount of stars seen in a galaxy this far out.

To find the stars, the scientists employed a method known as gravitational lensing. When light bends around a substantial celestial body, it creates the illusion that objects in space are closer than they are. In this instance, a huge galaxy cluster intensified the light from the distant galaxy, making the individual stars visible to the Webb telescope. This finding is important because it sheds light on how galaxies develop and change throughout time. Astronomers can better understand how stars form and change in various environments by examining the stars in this far-off galaxy.

The "Dragon Arc" galaxy is located behind the massive galaxy cluster Abell 370. The gravitational lensing effect of the galaxy cluster amplification allows us to view individual stars in the Dragon arc that would otherwise be too faint to distinguish. The stars are believed to be red giants or supergiants that have undergone hundreds of times their magnification. This discovery will allow researchers to study the star populations in distant galaxies and constrain dark matter structures in the lensing plane. This is a significant breakthrough in our understanding of the universe and will likely lead to discoveries on the formation and evolution of galaxies.

The Block Universe: Is the Future Already Written?

Eternalism, another name for the Block Universe Theory, is a radical reinterpretation of time in contemporary physics, especially Einstein's theory of relativity. According to this theory, every moment in time—past, present, and future—exists in a four-dimensional spacetime continuum simultaneously and evenly. It is cool to think about the possibility of living life in all timelines at the same time, which makes me also believe in alternative universes theory and thinking about which scenario future Selen is laying on the beach and reading a book :D

According to this perspective, time is an essential component of a single spacetime fabric rather than a distinct entity that flows independently. There is no intrinsic "center" to space, and the same is true of time. The "present moment" is only the location of a single observer in spacetime.

This idea has significant ramifications. If all moments exist equally, free will and the nature of choice are called into question because this would imply a deterministic cosmos in which the future is already predetermined. This perspective holds that our consciousness moving across this static block of spacetime gives us the illusion of a "flowing" present.

Despite offering a convincing framework for comprehending time, the Block Universe Theory has several drawbacks. Our intuitive experience is more in line with presentism, the opposing viewpoint that only the present moment is genuine. Furthermore, despite the Block Universe's seeming determinism, some interpretations of quantum mechanics imply a certain amount of indeterminism in the universe.

Philosophers and physicists continue to argue passionately about the Block Universe Theory, which challenges our fundamental conceptions of reality, time, and our place in the universe.

This week, I'm thrilled to have Akshay Nandwana ???? join me for the Expert Corner. Akshay Nandwana ???? is a talented Software Engineer who has contributed to impactful projects at 谷歌 , Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited , and Doubtnut . His work has reached over 10 million people, and he's actively involved in mentoring and community building through initiatives like Android Engineers . Let's get started!

Could you tell us about your journey in Android development. Why did you choose Android Development?

My journey into Android development began in the early days of my engineering life in 2014. Coming from a tier-3 city with limited awareness about technology and restricted internet access, I was curious to see what the world beyond had to offer. I started attending events like hackathons, startup meetups, and tech conferences to explore. During these events, I saw people creating mobile applications to solve real-world problems, bridging the gap between people's daily lives and technology in an efficient and impactful way.

This exposure inspired me to dive deeper into mobile app development, specifically Android, as it felt like a powerful medium to build solutions that were accessible and user-friendly. To broaden my knowledge, I began exploring initiatives by Google such as Google Developer Groups (GDG), Applied CS Skills, and Google University Clubs. I actively connected with professionals on LinkedIn, particularly Googlers, to learn from their experiences and see if I could get involved in any programs or communities.

The first major milestone in my journey was being selected for the Applied CS Skills program, where I delivered Android-specific sessions at various universities. This not only deepened my technical understanding of Android development but also sparked my passion for teaching and contributing to the community. This initial involvement laid the foundation for my long-term commitment to Android development and staying actively engaged in community-driven initiatives.

Looking back, what started as a curiosity to explore the tech world turned into a meaningful journey of building, learning, and contributing—and Android development has been at the heart of it all.

I follow your initiative, Android Engineers , where you provide valuable content for the Android Community. Could you tell us a bit about that.

The initiative of Android Engineers was born out of a realization: many people struggle to learn Android development at a professional level. While there are countless online courses, they often fall short in preparing developers for real-world challenges and professional growth. That's where Android Engineers step in—to bridge this gap and provide a more practical, career-oriented learning experience.

I provide comprehensive support for aspiring and experienced Android developers through this community. We offer live classes, webinars, blogs, and community sessions to teach in-demand concepts. While our YouTube channel is not as active, we've made significant contributions through 1:1 mentorship, interview preparation, career guidance, resume reviews, and profile building. Everything is needed to secure a great Android engineering job and grow your career.

So far, we've successfully helped over 1,000 students land jobs, internships, and freelance projects and improve their technical and professional profiles. We also collaborate with other tech communities to raise awareness about Android development, Kotlin, Jetpack Compose, Kotlin Multiplatform (KMM), and other cutting-edge technologies.

Recently, we've taken a significant step forward by becoming a part of the Koin Community, where I serve as a Koin Community Lead. Through this role, we advocate for the Koin dependency injection library, sharing best practices, educating developers, and helping them integrate it seamlessly into their projects.

At its core, Android Engineers is about empowering developers, filling knowledge gaps, and building a strong community where individuals can thrive in their Android development careers.

Do you have any advice for those who want to pursue Android Development or improve their skills as Android Developers?

My advice for anyone pursuing or looking to improve in Android development is simple but powerful: focus on the foundations and ask "why."

Rather than rushing to use libraries, APIs, or frameworks, take the time to understand the fundamentals of Android development deeply. Learn how things work under the hood, such as the Android lifecycle, threading, data storage options, and UI rendering. A strong foundation will empower you to make better decisions as you grow.

At the same time, cultivate the habit of asking yourself questions like:

Why am I using this library or API?

What are the benefits of this approach, and are there alternative solutions?

How does it work internally, and what problems does it solve?

Another important tip: focus on the pain points of earlier versions of libraries, frameworks, or tools, and observe what improvements new versions bring. Understanding these changes will not only help you appreciate the evolution of technology but also enable you to adopt and use new features effectively. This will also enhance your problem-solving skills by teaching you how to critically evaluate tools and approaches.

In short, focus less on "just getting things to work" and more on "understanding how and why they work" while also keeping an eye on advancements and updates in the ecosystem. This mindset will take you far in your Android development journey.