Spaceship Earth & Other Universes -A Galaxy Insight

“The quantum theory of parallel universes is not the problem, it is the solution. It is not some troublesome, optional interpretation emerging from arcane theoretical considerations. It is the explanation, the only one that is tenable, of a remarkable and counter-intuitive reality.”

"Everything in our universe -- including you and me, every atom and every galaxy -- has counterparts in these other universes."

David Deutsch -Legendary Oxford Physicist

Legendary Oxford physicist David Deutsch is best known for his contributions to quantum physics, quantum computing, and a leading proponent of the multiverse (or "many worlds") interpretation of quantum theory -- the astounding idea that our universe is constantly spawning countless numbers of parallel worlds.

In his book The Fabric of Reality, Deutsch laid the groundwork for an all-encompassing Theory of Everything by tying together four mutually supporting strands of reality: First: Hugh Everett's many-worlds interpretation of quantum physics, "the first and most important of the four strands"; second: Karl Popper's epistemology, especially its requiring a realist interpretation of scientific theories, and its emphasis on being  falsifiable; third: Alan Turing's theory of computation, replaced by Deutsch's universal quantum computer; and fourth: Richard Dawkins' neo-Darwinian evolutionary theory and the modern evolutionary synthesis.

"Our best theories are not only truer than common sense, they make more sense than common sense," Deutsch wrote about the most mind-bending aspects of particle physics, including the tendency of matter to exist in more than one place at a time.

In the TED Conference video below filmed at Oxford University, Deutsch will force you to reconsider your place in the world, and about our species' significance in the universe. Far from being simply "chemical scum," quoting Stephen Hawking, we have the ability to gain knowledge, the importance of which, he says, is that we are always equipped to solve problems (including global warming). The brain contains the tools we need: knowledge, reason and creativity. It's a thrilling, and much needed, profoundly optimistic argument.

Posted by Casey Kazan.

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Comments

[jack butler]

Strictly speaking, the multiverse should not be referred to as "parallel worlds," since according to the theory, the worlds diverge from each quantum event. If they diverge, they cannot be parallel.

Of course, everybody uses the phrase, so this is just terminological nitpicking on my part, I admit it.

[Dave K. Welch]

Thanks Casey. THAT was a treat. It's amazing how obvious something can be after it's pointed out, and in this case it's Davids reference to global warming - in that it was a disaster in the making before we were ever properly aware of it, and the popular temporary fixes like Kyoto are not the solution. We have to adapt and adapt we will as we have throughout history, or we will simply cease to be. There are after all much bigger problems in the future. A few obvious ones are (for the near future) our population growth verses how much room we have on earth and (for a tad later) our sun has an expiry date.

Regards
Dave