From: alberti@mudhoney.micro.umn.edu (Albatross)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.science
Subject: Re: Parallel Universes
Date: 15 Apr 92 14:49:33 GMT
Article-I.D.: news2.1992Apr15.144933.617
Organization: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis: CIS

On parallel/alternate universes:

   A couple of points which always come up when discussing alternate universes
are 1) there's no way to scientifically prove any of it, and 2) the chances of
many of them occurring are infinitesmally small.

   On point 1), one has to understand a basic concept:  It's impossible for
anything to "cross universes", BY DEFINITION.  If you can "cross" from one
universe to another, then they are connected/interrelated, and are no longer
"separate" universes.  This can get confusing, but the upshot is that if
you could "cross from a universe where magic doesn't work to a universe where
it does" (to use a cliche), then they are in fact simply one LARGER universe.
What this means to those who demand "proof" that other universes exist is
that either once you get the proof you no longer have the proof, or that the
current lack of proof is a demonstration that other universes do exist, QED.
And if you've ever studied quantum mechanics, this previous definition fits
right in with the style of the science, lending it tremendous credence
especially after heavy drink.
   Note that this does NOT preclude the "merging" of universes -- the idea
that universes might rejoin does not violate the rules because the situation
following the "rejoin" is indistinguishable from the situation without the
rejoin -- nothing concrete has been added.
   For example, a stone falls, or it doesn't, at time A.  Two universes split
off, one with the stone on the ground, the other with the stone still stuck
to the side of a cliff or something.  At time B, only an instant later, the
stone falls, landing in the same position as the stone in time A.  The
universes have merged.  However, to an observer within either universe there
is no need to speculate alternate universes -- in both cases the stone is
precisely where it ought to be.  No information has been delivered.

   On point 2), some of the ideas thrown around seem very unlikely.  For
instance, there is a chance that at any given time all of the atoms of a cat
might spontaneously move apart from each other.  The chance is on the order
of (number of atoms of cat) unlikely, but it's still there.  And since the 
chance exists, it MUST happen in some universe, because (leap of faith) an
INFINITE number of universes split off at every point, and in an infinite
selection, even the most unlikely must exist.  The monkeys MUST type up
the works of Shakespeare.

   Finally, note that I've used the "leap of faith" phrase twice.  That's
because at some point you have to accept these concepts on an intuitive level
and not based on information, because you'll never get the information.
And you can disagree about anything stated following a "leap of faith" label
to your heart's content, but it's not science after that point.
--
Bob Alberti: Computer & Information Services U of MN | aka: Albatross | Unitar-
E-mail     : alberti@boombox.micro.umn.edu           | Metropolis BBS | ian/
Disclaimer : My employer does not mean what I say.   | (612) 721-1870 | Univer-
Minnesota  : Where butter is a spice.                | BBSing as art. | salist!