3 ms·
I think these quotes are coming from either end of the spectrum of physics and biology and don't necessarily say the same thing.
by s_dev 6y ago
I think these quotes are coming from either end of the spectrum of physics and biology and don't necessarily say the same thing.
- jakear 6y agoThe beauty of the phrase is that it’s universal.
- __MatrixMan__ 6y agoIs it? I want to talk with aliens as much as the next guy, but so far it seems like the vast majority of the universe is a vacuum--biologically speaking.
- TeMPOraL 6y agoThat's because there is not much stuff in the universe, and whatever there is, tends to cluster together under gravity. But within such a cluster, if you create empty space, something will want to rush to fill it in.
- pegasus 6y agoPhysically too. But it's a question of perspective: glass half-empty or half-full. Are planetary systems plentiful? It seems so, as a ratio of all star systems - as far as we know at least. Definitely not, as a ratio of the total volume of space. Similarly, the idea that we are mostly vacuum, because the elementary particles are so small compared to the size of molecules, etc. But that doesn't much change our intuitions about solidity vs. emptiness in every day life.
- jakear 6y agoThe way I see it, space is a life-vacuum, and human nature is to abhor that, as evidenced by the long-standing goal we have of interplanetary/intergalactic settlements. Which is to say: you’re thinking on the wrong timescale. Just wait and see. :)
- vlovich123 6y agoNo one ever said the vacuum has to be filled biologically. The universe is a vacuum but even there you get spontaneous virtual particles getting created out of nothing as far as we know.
- Filligree 6y agoVirtual particles aren't particles, and don't get created out of nothing. They're a mathematical trick to simplify (read: make tractable) physics in a particular formalism. Apart from being drawn as particles on diagrams, they violate every rule of what a particle is supposed to be. There are formalisms where they aren't necessary, for example quantum lattice models.