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I rather like to believe that the universe is infinite[1], and that the laws of physics change imperceptibly across long distances, meaning that our observable
by javajosh 3y ago
I rather like to believe that the universe is infinite[1], and that the laws of physics change imperceptibly across long distances, meaning that our observable part has properties that helped life, and intelligent life, evolve[2]. There does seem to be a compelling negentropic "urge" present at almost every level of physical reality, that complexity accretes over time in a manner that almost seems designed[3]. This idea preserves both the notion that the universe is rational in some sense, AND that we occupy no special place in it. Indeed, one could see the biosphere of earth, and humans, as merely data pointing to a particular bundle of physical constants in this local region.
I do not believe there is a heaven unless we build one.
1 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universe https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universe, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmological_principle https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmological_principle
2 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthropic_principle https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthropic_principle
3 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Negentropy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Negentropy
- mensetmanusman 3y agoThe fun thing about infinite is that it means there are an infinite number of planets with you in it typing exactly this post.
- javajosh 3y agoI've heard this before, of course [1]. And it may be. But it doesn't really matter because far-flung parts of the universe cannot interact with each other. Which assumes universality of some physical laws, like relativity. An assumption which cannot really be tested. Even if aliens have FTL, it will, by hypothesis, only function in their part of the universe, and so cease working in ours. In truth, I'm quite happy with the physical laws we have. It means that we are protected by a strong natural barrier. It gives us time to figure out how to become a great civilization without interference of a conqueror. Odds are against us[2], of course, but that need not stop us from giving it the old college try! 1 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Library_of_Babel https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Library_of_Babel 2 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fermi_paradox https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fermi_paradox