This is the most likely current theory... entropy, and the speed at which matter is spreading out in the universe, suggests that eventually the universe will be a cloud of neutral particles. Even if there is a Big Crunch, it is almost certain that the universe will be in such a state when it starts to collapse, meaning that nobody could be around to observe the decelleration and recollapse of all the matter in the universe.

It's a bleak thought, though... the cyclic theory at least allows the opportunity for life to develop again in the next incarnation of the universe.

Apparently there are subatomic particles popping in and out of existence all the time. One (possibly out of favor) theory is that the harder a vacuum is, the more of them stick around. This could cause a steady-state universe.

Or I could be misremembering it completely. But it's a hopeful theory, that theoretically allows for indefinite survival.

If by "indefinite survival" you mean "the total eradication of all existing life in favor of a completely new and separate universe in which new life might appear," then sure.... that's survival. Either way, everybody in the universe dies. One way just means that extinction of one universe's life is not necessarily the extinction of all life, forever.

Either way, it's bleak. It's just a matter of exactly how bitterly bleak things are. I swear to god I'm the last fucking optimist left on this dismal little planet. :D

No, the theory I was mentioning allows indefinite survival, as new matter/energy appears to fill sparser areas of vacuum. But, of course, it is also one of the least regarded of the theories, with the most crackpottery associated (zero-point energy, etc.)

:worried:The universe is only going to exist for a few quintillion more years , *sniffle*, oh why does everything have to end?!*sniffle*

Life is so cruel! *choke*

oh, the existencial agony, I just can't take it ...*WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!*