Theories of the Universe

[cookiecutter]

But what's the point of doing so if there are no consequences? Just for the hell of it?

So there could be a second episode where Picard hunts down the Romulan who killed JFK instead.

 

[mutantllama]

I've only watched a bit of Startrek.

 

[skeptik]

Am I the only one who thinks we need a thread about hilarious AIM conversations?

Do it. I've got a few saved, actually.

 

[V.V.V.V.V.]

Do you think microscopic dictators are any different? I would think they would resolve themselves the same way as humans.

orly

 

[CAIRATH]

I've always been fascinated by cosmology and astronomy and the like, but I don't consider myself educated or up to date enough to have an opinion on the fate of the universe and whatnot. Would anyone like to recommend me some good books containing what might be the most up to date cosmological theories?

Same.

I think the cyclic model is the most fascinating possiblity but have absolutely no basis on which to assume it is the correct or even a likely one at all. The idea of a universe that has always existed and just resets itself every X billion years is just neat.

As for books, I can't say how up-to-date they are still, but Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time (the illustrated expanded version) and The Universe in a Nutshell are great books. Lots of illustrations and despite being a genius he is still able to explain things with great clarity to the layman audience (by using good anologies and illustrations). I've not really read any other books on the subject so I'm also interested in any recommendations aside from these.

 

[Alter]

So basically whats the chances of more than one universe?

 

[Ender Rises]

I would say very high, since we don't really know much of what is way-the-fuck out there. There are a lot of unknowns in deep space. But I dunno.

 

[Zephyrus]

So basically whats the chances of more than one universe?

The fact that our own universe is of finite dimensions certainly leaves open that possibility. Ours could be one of an infinite number of universes, floating in some greater void, each universe governed by different laws of physics.

 

[Ender Rises]

What is the importance of that there pic?

 

[Zephyrus]

The black one is our universe.

 

[Ender Rises]

Ah. Makes sense.

 

[Zephyrus]

Actually that picture would be incorrect since our universe is more oval-shaped.

 

[Alter]

Than if our so called universe has an end to it that would require a "wall" and would be behind that wall?

 

[Zephyrus]

I can't even begin to speculate, but the fact is that our universe, while it is expanding, is not infinite. We could just be a delicate little bubble in a sea of chaos.

 

[Valerie]

Than if our so called universe has an end to it that would require a "wall" and would be behind that wall?

Another universe maybe? I don't know. More nothing.

 

[Zephyrus]

I can imagine there being a whole lot of "nothing" beyond our universe, where the only matter is contained within the one or multiple universes that occupy this extra-cosmic void. Would this void be governed by our own universes physical laws? Perhaps not, since it could be devoid of not only matter but of any fabric of space-time. Takes the meaning of nothing to a whole new level.

 

[V.V.V.V.V.]

It's even cooler when you realize we're not discussing fiction (movie, video game, or whatever) here...we're discussing what's REAL.

 

[Alter]

Yes, and when we break down the universe it is much simpler than we think it is but than we have the chance of even MORE universes. Insane stuff. I love talking about this kind of stuff.

Does any watch The Universe.

 

[Zephyrus]

Does any watch The Universe.

Yep. Fascinating stuff.

 

[Krigloch the Furious]

The fact that our own universe is of finite dimensions certainly leaves open that possibility. Ours could be one of an infinite number of universes, floating in some greater void, each universe governed by different laws of physics.

That would be cool