Posted on 09/24/2007 4:10:41 PM PDT by anymouse
Parallel universes really do exist, according to a mathematical discovery by Oxford scientists described by one expert as "one of the most important developments in the history of science".
The parallel universe theory, first proposed in 1950 by the US physicist Hugh Everett, helps explain mysteries of quantum mechanics that have baffled scientists for decades, it is claimed.
In Everett's "many worlds" universe, every time a new physical possibility is explored, the universe splits. Given a number of possible alternative outcomes, each one is played out - in its own universe.
A motorist who has a near miss, for instance, might feel relieved at his lucky escape. But in a parallel universe, another version of the same driver will have been killed. Yet another universe will see the motorist recover after treatment in hospital. The number of alternative scenarios is endless.
It is a bizarre idea which has been dismissed as fanciful by many experts. But the new research from Oxford shows that it offers a mathematical answer to quantum conundrums that cannot be dismissed lightly - and suggests that Dr Everett, who was a Phd student at Princeton University when he came up with the theory, was on the right track.
Commenting in New Scientist magazine, Dr Andy Albrecht, a physicist at the University of California at Davis, said: "This work will go down as one of the most important developments in the history of science."
According to quantum mechanics, nothing at the subatomic scale can really be said to exist until it is observed. Until then, particles occupy nebulous "superposition" states, in which they can have simultaneous "up" and "down" spins, or appear to be in different places at the same time.
Observation appears to "nail down" a particular state of reality, in the same way as a spinning coin can only be said to be in a "heads" or "tails" state once it is caught.
According to quantum mechanics, unobserved particles are described by "wave functions" representing a set of multiple "probable" states. When an observer makes a measurement, the particle then settles down into one of these multiple options.
The Oxford team, led by Dr David Deutsch, showed mathematically that the bush-like branching structure created by the universe splitting into parallel versions of itself can explain the probabilistic nature of quantum outcomes.
Yea, infinite parallel universes, thats the ticket. If an infinite number of parallel universes is what it takes to make the math work, then it’s not much of a theory. In other words, it’s utter b.s.
I got a suggestion for these physicists, you’ve recently dumped 10 dimensions in favor of 11 dimensions, take another step and go to 12 dimensions.
Is there a parallel universe that has the capability to destroy all the other universes?
The mathematical models I've proposed to (36-24-36), had very predictable results from both.
NO
I have a headache.
Which leads me to doubt the whole theory.
Take an infinite number of these and call an infinite number of doctors in the morning.
No, because once the new parallel universe comes into existance, it expands into a different universal space completely seperate from your universe. Thereby effecting nothing in our universe. << I may be stating this slightly wrong, i.e. universal space may not be what the physicists are calling this.
This acceptance of parallel universes is because of the collapse of “string theory”. Which is kind of where they were before advent of string theory anyway.
Romans 1:21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools. (NIV)
Not any more ...
just bumping
or are WE in the parallel universe and they are - ah, mmm - we?
In all seriesness though, this theory of parallel universes has been kicking about for decades (read: Stephen Hawking's "A Brief History of Time"), but it has never able to have been proven, and probably might never be, at least not by us mere Earthlings. Only God holds the answer, and he ain't speaking to us about it.
Otherwise, theories such as Quantum Mechanics predict how a Transistor is supposed to work, but it still baffles physicists why it even works at all .... but there it is, trillions upon trillions of manmade Transistors ticking away doing their thing in our technological world.
Likewise, Aerodynamics says that a Bee is not supposed to be able to fly ... but there they are flying about, going from flower to flower gathering pollen, flying with the greatest of ease and control.
No wait. Didn't they have Global WarmingTM before they had Global CoolingMT, did I get that backwards? Ya, I did ... OK, it was Gnilooc Gnimraw first, then it became Labolg Labolg.
Man, this Science stuff is way confusing ..........
LOL. Will I have to wait an infinite number of 10 days before I will be cured? Whew! It’s hard to get the brain around this infinite number of possibilities. Of course, as a fan of Quantum Physics, I have contemplated this theory many times. It still boggles the mind.
This is another good example of scientifically illiterate journalists converting an interesting story into a “gee whiz astounding science” fable based on a stupid claim about the relationship between physics and mathematics.
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