137 is the value of a constant called the fine-structure constant. This is how physicists describe the probability that an electron will absorb a photon. This coupling constant is usually denoted as “a” or alpha. So 137 contains electromagnetism (electron charge), relativity (speed of light), and quantum mechanics (Planck’s constant)! We’d like to think there is a unified theory (the thing Einstein was working on) that brings all of this phenomena together, and finding out where 137 comes from might just speed up that process.

The Anthropic Cosmological Principle, a theory devised by Frank Tipler and John Barrow, utilizes the peculiar value of the fine structure constant to find meaning in the universe. They say that since the number is what is, we are alive. It seems as if some greater Entity has fine tuned this value in order for the universe to give birth to intelligent information transfer (ie humans). If it was tweaked in anyway whatsoever then the existence of carbon based life would be lower than it already is, and the probability is practically nil, as is. His theory is very well built up in his book. He utilizes biochemistry, quantum mechanics, cosmology, computer theory, and thermodynamics to build one simple case: If the fine structure constant wasn’t what we observe it to be today, then we wouldn’t be here observing it. So basically don’t ask why we come across 1/137 so much. WE are the reason it is the value we measure it to be. If it was anything else then we would cease to be and question wouldn’t be getting asked at all. The reason for 1/137 is much deeper than some coincidence with angles, number sequences or even religions. It is very likely that the fine structure constant was this finely tuned for some final end (to put it Socratically and teleogically) not yet realized by humans. Whether the human race is the reason/final end, or just a step on the journey only time will tell. However, the fact remains that 1/137 is essential to existence of intelligence, inquiry, discovery, enlightenment and consciousness. In short, 137 gives the deepest possible answer to the question. Why?

Maybe you could use this same teleological logic on people and the scenes they occupy. For example, don’t ponder on how you and your peers make up your scene, focus on the importance the role your scene plays in you and your peers interaction/chemistry/collective consciousness. And then support it….. kinda like the final purpose of the ‘scene’ is the people it is made up of. In this way people’s relationship to their scene mimics 1/137’s (fine-structure constant) relationship to the understanding of existence/conscious beings/the cosmos.

The coupling constant of electromagnetism governs the interaction of all charged particles. This in turn allows chemistry and bio chemistry to take place. Without it (alpha) neither you or me would be here discussing it, kind of a circular point isn’t it? Since the electromagnetic force is the force responsible for the orbit of the electron around the nucleus; it is the sole force that controls the emission of photons from the electron in orbit. The ratio 1/137 is the probability that the orbiting electron will annihilate with a positron thus eradicating itself into nothing more than radiation in the form of gammas. This means that the mysterious fine structure constant is the reason for the absolute distinction between radiation and matter in our universe. Make 1/137 a little smaller and we wouldn’t get radiation of the sun’s nuclear reactions. Make it a little bigger and matter wouldn’t form as readily and there would be nothing more and photons, quarks, neutrons,and electrons in the universe.

The numerical value of the Hebrew word “Kabbalah” is 137 (using the “common” Hebrew Gematria method), which is equal to the combined value of the words “chochmah” (wisdom/73), and “nevuah” (prophecy/64).

Using two radii to divide a circle according to the golden ratio yields sectors of approximately 137° (the golden angle) and 222°.

Plant species implant scales (pine cone), seeds (sunflower)… on a spiral by creating an object every 137.5°. These objects are then laid-out in arcs of spirals oriented in the two directions; the numbers of arcs (in the two directions) are two consecutive numbers of the Fibonacci’s sequence.
The golden angle above corresponds to the division of the circle into two arcs with lengths proportional to 1 and φ: a/1 = b/φ = (a+b)/(1+φ) = 2π/φ² rad or 360°/φ².

Golden rectangle, golden ellipse, pentagram, golden spiral… are generally considered as especially harmonious. It’s not surprising that the golden ratio is widely used in painting and in architecture.

It appears, among others, in the pyramid of Cheops (and in its small-scaled reproduction, the glass pyramid of the Louvre, in Paris): for a square base with side 2, the altitude is √φ (thus the main altitude of each of its lateral face is φ).
The rectangular triangle with sides 1, √φ and φ (converse of Pythagoras: 1+φ = φ²) leads to an other outstanding angle α = 51.827…° with cos(α) = 1/φ and sin(α) = 1/√φ

I’m glad you asked and I will answer shortly after a cup of coffee.

Untriseptium is a chemical element which has not yet been observed to occur naturally, nor has it yet been synthesized. Its atomic number is 137 and symbol is Uts. The name Feynmanium (symbol Fy) is also informally used, because of Feynman’s presentation of the speed of light problem. Any element with an atomic number over 137 would require electrons to travel faster than the speed of light.

Dr. Bill Riemers writes: classical physics tells us that electrons captured by element #137 (as yet undiscovered) of the periodic table will move at the speed of light. The idea is quite simple, if you don’t use math to explain it. 137 is the odds that an electron will absorb a single photon. Protons and electrons are bound by interactions with photons. So when you get 137 protons, you get 137 photons, and you get a 100% chance of absorption. An electron in the ground state will orbit at the speed of light. This is the electromagnetic equivalent of a black hole. For gravitational black hole, general relativity comes to the rescue to prevent planets from orbiting at the speed of light and beyond. For an electromagnetic black hole, general relativity comes to the rescue and saves element 137 from having electrons moving faster than the speed of light. However, even with general relativity, element 139 would still have electrons moving faster than light. According to Einstein, this is an impossibility. Thus proving that we still don’t understand 137.