I have always wondered about the meaning of the number “10.” Humanity relies on the decimal system for all calculations, but this method of calculation is a representation of numbers in the analog world. Meanwhile, all computers operate using binary. As we live in a rapidly evolving digital society, transforming the way we live, few people consciously consider the mechanics of numbers. Reflecting on my professional life, I realize that I’ve had three major revelations, one of which was about the concept of “10.” To understand this, I recommend watching the following YouTube video:
The video begins with a couple relaxing on the grass in a park in an American city. The camera zooms out from above, pulling back further and further until it reaches a view of Earth from space, accompanied by numbers representing exponential powers. As the zoom continues, it transitions to views of the solar system and then the nebula, representing scales of powers far beyond comprehension. At some point, the camera reverses direction, zooming back in. It focuses on the couple again and continues to zoom in closer, entering the woman’s skin. It ventures into the microscopic world of cells, molecules, and atoms, ultimately revealing a landscape that resembles the vastness of the universe. The numbers now represent negative powers of ten.
This video was created by Charles Eames, a furniture designer, in 1968 and was released in 1977 with funding from IBM. At that time, the concept of subatomic particles was not widely understood, and while Watson and Crick had unveiled the DNA double-helix structure in 1953, DNA itself was not yet a topic of significant public interest. The imaginative leap required to create this video was extraordinary. Even more remarkable is the fact that computer graphics (CG) technology did not exist during that era, making the production techniques behind this film a wonder in themselves.

The term “Powers” here does not refer to “strength” but rather to “exponents.” The video explores the question, “What does the world look like at powers of ten?” It depicts the scales of life, the universe, and everything in between using the base of ten, resulting in a highly thought-provoking piece. I first watched this video around years ago, and it profoundly altered my perspective on life, science, and existence itself.
As someone working in analytical chemistry, I encountered DNA synthesis technology during my career and searched for accessible books on bioscience that were not in textbooks. During that time, I read a book titled “The Homecoming of the Astronauts,” which detailed the experiences of Apollo astronauts. I recall reading that some of the most brilliant scientists, after competing fiercely to become astronauts, turned to careers as artists or pastors after returning from space. There are truths in this universe that humanity may never fully comprehend—points beyond zero, the edges of the universe, and so much more. These incomprehensible realities exist in our daily lives, intertwined with the limited and equal time we are all given.
Despite the rapid evolution of the digital age, I believe that maintaining a balance with the analog aspects of life is essential for a fulfilling existence. This realization continues to shape my view of life.

Mr. Hisashi Iwase
Life Science Innovation Advisor at the Japan Analytical Instruments Manufacturers’ Association (JAIMA),
and President & CEO of BioDiscovery Inc. Born in 1951, Tokyo.
Graduated from the Department of Industrial Chemistry, College of Science and Technology, Nihon University.
Mr. Iwase’s extensive career in managing and marketing analytical and bioscience instruments includes
positions at Merck Japan, Waters Japan, Millipore Japan, PerSeptive Biosystems Japan, Applied Biosystems,
Varian Technologies, and Agilent Technologies. In 2001, he established BioDiscovery Inc., and since 2013,
he has served as a Life Science Innovation Advisor for JAIMA.