"And are we the only universe out there? Could there be - a word for it - a multiverse? Where there are multiple big bangs going on and multiple expanding universes. And there's good philosophical reasons to think that, as well as mathematical.
"But philosophically, what used to be: well, we're on Earth, and nothing else looks like this, so we're unique. Nope, you're one of 8-9 planets orbiting a star. Well the Sun is surely special, look how bright it is! No, all the little dots of light on the sky, those are stars too. Oh well surely this collection of stars is THE universe? Nope, no, it's just a galaxy, there's a 100 billion other galaxies. OK so all these galaxies, that must be THE UNIVERSE! Yeah, we've got the one universe. Well... maybe there's more than one universe.
"So suppose we do learn that we're in a multiverse... but then you have to ask, are we just one of many multiverses?"
[SIZE="1"]mind blown[/SIZE]
"Did you know there might be fossils
of ancient Earth life
on the moon...
cast into space
from asteroids that hit Earth long ago?
Multi-billion year-old fossils, far older than anything we would ever find on Earth, because our continents keep getting subducted into volcanoes."
[size=1]mind-bah-lown[/size]
marvellous! Thanks for sharing
All universes lead back to here, just thought I'd save you a trip.
He's pretty smart for a boxer.
What would be the distinction between another universe in "our"
multiverse and one from another multiverse?
Check the Everett interpretation of quantum physics.
According to this, when you open Schrodinger's cat-box, the universe splits into two universes, one with a live cat, one with a dead cat. This splitting happens every time a quantum probabilistic event is determined.
This is not the most popular interpretation of QM.
Do you actually have to open the cat-box, or is the mere existence of the box and discussion surrounding it sufficient to cause the fracture? Okay, okay, the question unasks itself, of course you have to open the box ... but the thought is giving me pause ...
you guys are nerds.
*re-applies black eyeliner then lights up Marlboro.
Check the Everett interpretation of quantum physics.
According to this, when you open Schrodinger's cat-box, the universe splits into two universes, one with a live cat, one with a dead cat. This splitting happens every time a quantum probabilistic event is determined.
This is not the most popular interpretation of QM.
So if I flip a coin, and a instance of a multiverse containing another 7 billion humans is created, can I declare them on my tax return?
"No really. 7 billion dependents. Let me show you the math.":p:
But every coin flip is an idependent event ...
All universes lead back to here, just thought I'd save you a trip.
What, to the Cellar?
Yes, more specifically, right
here.
You know, I find it very interesting that we only have interpretations of what we observe. The Copenhagen interpretation, The Many Worlds interpretation, The Everett interpretation mentioned above. No one knows what is really going on. We may find out more, and not knowing surely has not stunted my interest. Not knowing, fundamentally what is really going on keeps us humble I think.
Not knowing gets a lot of us out of bed in the morning.
Hi Joe!
It it like the quest for the holy grail. It is the searching, not the finding, that is the main event.
"My view is that if your philosophy is not unsettled daily then you are blind to all the universe has to offer."