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Why is there even such a gigantic universe? Like what is the purpose of it - why was there a Big Bang? If I really think hard about these questions it makes me

Why is there even such a gigantic universe? Like what is the purpose of it - why was there a Big Bang? If I really think hard about these questions it makes me uncomfortable and anxious.

drewolbrich 4y ago
In a gigantic universe, it’s statistically more likely that something interesting like you will happen in it.
h2odragon 4y ago
Why anxious? the answers to those questions, while interesting and entertaining, aren't relevant to you today. Just be glad you get to experience this tiny little part of the universe for the brief time you're here.
- cdelsolar 4y ago
  Is the universe gigantic enough and long-lasting enough that my consciousness will come back in some form after I die?
  - hota_mazi 4y ago
    There is no evidence to believe that's true, so you shouldn't believe it and assume that your current life is all you have. Enjoy it to the fullest while it lasts.
  - ncmncm 4y ago
    Uncountably many will that differ from you by random degree on uncountably many dimensions. How much like you do they have to be, to actually be you? Everybody reading this differs from you by only small degree. You differ from yourself-of-yesterday by a typically smaller amount, and -of-last-year by a less-small amount.
  - saulpw 4y ago
    "Your" consciousness, no. But consciousness in general may be eternal. Death of your self is like a drop of water returning to the ocean.
the_third_wave 4y ago
The universe is as big as it is because of the word size used by the machine which runs the simulation. Most of it seems to be 'wasted space' but that is just a consequence of the large word size needed to have an accurate enough simulation.
TrispusAttucks 4y ago
I used to ponder this too much as a child. Why is there something instead of nothing. The most satisfying answer for me was that you must first define nothingness. But the moment it's been defined nothingness ceases to be. It seems to me at least that somethingness (suchness) [1] and nothingness are cross-reference negation of the other. So it can't be one or the other but must be both. This probably is not making an sense. Later I stumbled into Buddhism [2] which seems to have this undefinableness as a core of experienced reality. [1] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suchness https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suchness [2] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tath%C4%81t%C4%81 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tath%C4%81t%C4%81
sparkie 4y ago
> Why was there a Big Bang? Big assumption to make there. The big bang is a theory and it is not at all proven to have happened.
hota_mazi 4y ago
Why do you need a reason? Maybe there is no purpose. The universe just is, period. If you look at an ant, do you ask yourself "Why is this ant here?".
nelblu 4y ago
I read this somewhere else so it would be nice someone can quote the origin, but think of it this way - you were dead for billions of years before you were born, you weren't anxious then. once you are dead you won't feel the anxiety again, so why bother worrying about it now when there are a whole lot of other things you can do.

Why is there even such a gigantic universe? Like what is the purpose of it - why was there a Big Bang? If I really think hard about these questions it makes me uncomfortable and anxious.

drewolbrich 4y ago

In a gigantic universe, it’s statistically more likely that something interesting like you will happen in it.

h2odragon 4y ago

Why anxious? the answers to those questions, while interesting and entertaining, aren't relevant to you today. Just be glad you get to experience this tiny little part of the universe for the brief time you're here.

cdelsolar 4y ago
Is the universe gigantic enough and long-lasting enough that my consciousness will come back in some form after I die?
- hota_mazi 4y ago
  There is no evidence to believe that's true, so you shouldn't believe it and assume that your current life is all you have. Enjoy it to the fullest while it lasts.
- ncmncm 4y ago
  Uncountably many will that differ from you by random degree on uncountably many dimensions. How much like you do they have to be, to actually be you? Everybody reading this differs from you by only small degree. You differ from yourself-of-yesterday by a typically smaller amount, and -of-last-year by a less-small amount.
- saulpw 4y ago
  "Your" consciousness, no. But consciousness in general may be eternal. Death of your self is like a drop of water returning to the ocean.

the_third_wave 4y ago

The universe is as big as it is because of the word size used by the machine which runs the simulation. Most of it seems to be 'wasted space' but that is just a consequence of the large word size needed to have an accurate enough simulation.

TrispusAttucks 4y ago

I used to ponder this too much as a child. Why is there something instead of nothing. The most satisfying answer for me was that you must first define nothingness. But the moment it's been defined nothingness ceases to be. It seems to me at least that somethingness (suchness) [1] and nothingness are cross-reference negation of the other. So it can't be one or the other but must be both. This probably is not making an sense. Later I stumbled into Buddhism [2] which seems to have this undefinableness as a core of experienced reality. [1] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suchness https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suchness [2] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tath%C4%81t%C4%81 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tath%C4%81t%C4%81

sparkie 4y ago

> Why was there a Big Bang? Big assumption to make there. The big bang is a theory and it is not at all proven to have happened.

hota_mazi 4y ago

Why do you need a reason? Maybe there is no purpose. The universe just is, period. If you look at an ant, do you ask yourself "Why is this ant here?".

nelblu 4y ago

I read this somewhere else so it would be nice someone can quote the origin, but think of it this way - you were dead for billions of years before you were born, you weren't anxious then. once you are dead you won't feel the anxiety again, so why bother worrying about it now when there are a whole lot of other things you can do.