Refresher Course On Existence &The Universe

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We simultaneously harbor what seems to be contradictory notions of existence -- namely, the continuity of of things vs particulates composing matter (fragments and fragmentation). I don't know what I'm talking about but this is a cool lecture.
Fay Dowker - Spacetime Atoms and the Unity of Physics (Perimeter Public Lecture) - YouTube
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  • THAT was interesting.

    So, if the Universe is expanding at a growing rate, something out there is countering the force of gravity. Without such a counter-force, it would tend to slow growth and eventually cause the Universe to fall back in on itself into a single massive black hole. This would then explode, starting the whole process again. (Sometimes called the Long Wave Theory.)

    I'm fascinated by the thought of what that driving force of acceleration might be.
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    • I can't listen to the lecture, no audio here in this lab.

      I'll admit, I'm outta my element in this discussion, although I used to read a lot about things like this years ago.

      I thought the Hubble Constant, figured out years ago, proved the universe is expanding. If I remember correctly, the rate of expansion is slowing at some very small rate which implies or begs the question of what happens when the rate equals zero. I think some have suggested a contraction, or an effect similar to what happens when a stretched rubber band is allowed to contract.

      https://www.cfa.harvard.edu/~dfabricant/huchra/hubble/

      It seems the countering force may be a natural loss of momentum. Sort of a natural drag.

      If the Long Wave Theory, which I know 0 about, is close to accurate, then it seems there would be another type of big bang which starts it all over again. Imagine a front row seat to that one.

      So, well, what started it all? And one thing I've tried to ponder, and of course I'm not the first, is what's on the "other side" of the expanding universe? Or, what is the universe expanding into? Unused space? Encroaching on some other expanding universe? lol

      But then it can't be another universe because that would imply collision, or something.

      Ever read anything about the universality of certain geometries such as the circle? Fascinating stuff.

      Ken
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  • I need some of that force to expand the space inside my my tiny house.
  • Personally I know very little about the theories, but I do personally know a few of the most reputable scientists that have published works on matters of the universe. One day we were talking and I made a comment that made them stop talking and return to their lab "Who's to say that our universe is our first and only occurrence of the universe."

    A little background, prior to our discussion we all agreed that there would be no questions, so my comment was not a question posed to our little group. Albeit, there were past and future discussions wherein we all agreed to pose only questions. It is a process.

    That same month I was asked to elaborate to a larger group of scientists. Initially, I declined simply because I am not educated in science of any nature unless you consider computer sciences to be a.. science. However, I accepted based on a promise that anything and everything I said would not be considered a statement of fact and only as food for thought and never be part of any official record and more importantly never considered as a question.

    We all sat down in a secured area and my statements were kept short and taken in a very profession way with open minds.

    The gist of it is the simple the that no one can say with certainty if we are living in the first universe or the millionth universe that exists today. When one considers that the universe is expanding and there may be a limit to the expansion that results in an extraction that also results in a new expansion then it is possible that our universe is not first or the last.

    Food for thought.

    Jeffery 100% :-)
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    • That is amazing. I've had great conversations with scientists doing advanced research in various branches of science, myself. There're generations of scientists in my family, but I didn't go that way (wish I had). I hope my son becomes a scientist (but I'm not pushing any life itinerary on him LOL). Anyway, I can't honestly make any claims to inspiring any compelling scientific investigations, but it sounds like you really sparked something with them.
  • Ken,According to that video, and unless I misheard/misinterpreted something, the rate of expansion is increasing. That was the big surprise, at least for me.

    FTR, the "Long Wave" isn't a formal theory (outside of economics), as far as I know. I've never heard that name used by a physicist, at any rate. It's a rather simplistic model, but without some force overriding the pull of gravity it seems obvious. But then, a lot of things that seem obvious end up being wrong, so...That drag would be gravity.


    Paul
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    • I don't know if anyone knows that or how it can be proven. It seems anything in motion will naturally slow down unless there's some energy preventing it from happening. Friction can do it.

      If the universe is expanding, and apparently it is according to smart folks with degrees in these matters, then whatever it's expanding into "seems" like it may exert friction on the expanding universe. Unless it's frictionless, and I have no idea but I'd venture a guess no one knows.

      But, in the end, what the hell do I know about all this..;


      Ken
  • The universe is much easier to explain than good ole existence.
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    • Explaining the universe, me? I have a hard time coming up with a coherent answer to my son's question, "Why do things get wet?" Because water makes them wet didn't work -- it just gets followed up with, "Why does water make things wet?"
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    • Ain't that the troof.


      Ken
  • T-Bird's son, 4, becomes the next Bill Nye or Neil deGrasse Tyson or Michio Kaku or.
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  • I'm glad "We know." is still around.
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    • We know....



      But I do miss WalkingCarpet. "We know" fit most of his posts perfectly. And I suspect he was in on the joke. I hope he comes back.
      • [ 1 ] Thanks
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    Refresher Course On Existence &The Universe

    We simultaneously harbor what seems to be contradictory notions of existence -- namely, the continuity of of things vs particulates composing matter (fragments and fragmentation). I don't know what I'm talking about but this is a cool lecture. Fay Dowker - Spacetime Atoms and the Unity of...