“There’s not many other places in town wherein a friend can prove her theory that West Allis is a time warp that transports people 30 years into the past.”
– Brent Gohde, founder of Cedar Block

Staff writer Rory Sazama had the opportunity to interview Brent Gohde, the ever-so-witty founder of Cedar Block, the local “physics enthusiast cult.” This is what the man of science has on his mind.

How did Cedar Block manifest itself?

It started when I made a diorama of a giant SUV-killing robot for my friend Jocelyn for her 27th birthday. Upon presenting it to her, I said, "It was fun. People should make dioramas more often. I should have a science fair so that people can make dioramas." And so I was going to do just that in the backroom of a bar somewhere until I told Gene Evans at Luckystar Studio about my plan. He told me right then and there that I would have it in their gallery space, and came up with an exact date. So then I had to do it, and it grew much bigger.

What is Cedar Block’s primary function?

To make life more interesting for Milwaukeeans and to stop people from moving to other cities to find a more interesting life. It gives a creative outlet for those who aren't traditional artists or musicians. There's not many other places in town wherein a friend can prove her theory that West Allis is a time warp that transports people 30 years into the past, or that science makes Fonzie cool more than Henry Winkler's belief in Scientology. There will be more of that kind of thing at "Bruce Nauman 101.” The Fonzie guy, Pete Morateck, is going to solve the free will versus determinism debate once and for all by playing hours and hours of Burger Time at Landmark. "Weird Science," the science fair for grown-ups at the gallery formerly known as Luckystar in 2005 was very well received. And I think it was because it was something a little different. It was part art opening, part rock show, part literary event … And of course it had that very important nostalgia factor that all the hipsters seem so fond of.

What makes Milwaukee such a hotbed for physicists?

I did some research for your readers and Googled "physicists Milwaukee.” It turns out that according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Services, the mean hourly wage for a physicist in Milwaukee/Waukesha in 2004 was $38.11. Their mean annual salary was $79,270. I'm a pretty busy guy and didn't get around to researching what physicists make in other cities, but that seems like a lot of money to me. So in answer to your question, I'd have to say it's the money.

Are we in the midst of a potential scientific renaissance?

Yes, as is evidenced by the increasing acceptance of intelligent design in our schools' curricula.

Are the Dutch insensitive to the religious persuasions of others?

If they are, they aren't very obvious about it. I mean, if someone says "the Dutch" to you, you're not going to think immediately of their insensitivity to the religious persuasions of others. You'll think of their … “I'm sorry, is ‘Dutch’ like people from Holland or something? That's where they got all them windmills, right?”

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