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Well, do you think there is a truth, understandable by humans, about the nature of the universe? If you think there is, what better guide than our best theorie
by dilap 4y ago
Well, do you think there is a truth, understandable by humans, about the nature of the universe?
If you think there is, what better guide than our best theories of physics so far?
So of course what the nature of the universe is doesn't really affect anything, on a physical level, but our sense of what happens after we're gone does in fact change our behaviors. E.g. Most people contemplate with more horror the possibility of all humanity being wiped out than their own isolated death, even though from the individual perspective it is the same.
Somehow things that cannot possibly matter to us physically still matter to us intellectually.
> It is no mercy to know there are kinder universes out there, for with them come those more cruel.
Well, that's debatable. For example, if you're finding this universe to be particularly cruel, perhaps it is a solace to think it's just one of the universes you must endure, and in some other universe you're having a much easier time.
- blamestross 4y agoBut it's not you. And the idea of every possiblity playing out is a lot less exciting than idealized. The Alter where you both exist and is better is not actually guaranteed to exist. In fact basically all them are guaranteed to essentially identical. Quantum splits at a macro level would basically only happen now that we have quantum random number generators to make decisions based on and I doubt that will add up to alters where things are much better.
- blamestross 4y agoYou are welcome to whatever religion you need to settle your existential emotional needs, but don't expect the science to play out in a direction that matches your fantasy.
- dilap 4y agoWell, sure, you could equally find it to be anti-comforting. I just think (1) there is a truth to reality, beyond even what we might be able to physically access and (2) it's interesting to ponder what that might be. Maybe even comforting, depending on your mindset.