Parallel universes really do exist, according to a mathematical discovery

Nonphixion · 09-28-2007, 10:07 AM

Parallel universes exist - study

Parallel universes exist - study

Parallel universes really do exist, according to a mathematical discovery by Oxford scientists described by one expert as "one of the most important developments in the history of science".

The parallel universe theory, first proposed in 1950 by the US physicist Hugh Everett, helps explain mysteries of quantum mechanics that have baffled scientists for decades, it is claimed.

In Everett's "many worlds" universe, every time a new physical possibility is explored, the universe splits. Given a number of possible alternative outcomes, each one is played out - in its own universe.

A motorist who has a near miss, for instance, might feel relieved at his lucky escape. But in a parallel universe, another version of the same driver will have been killed. Yet another universe will see the motorist recover after treatment in hospital. The number of alternative scenarios is endless.

It is a bizarre idea which has been dismissed as fanciful by many experts. But the new research from Oxford shows that it offers a mathematical answer to quantum conundrums that cannot be dismissed lightly - and suggests that Dr Everett, who was a Phd student at Princeton University when he came up with the theory, was on the right track.

Commenting in New Scientist magazine, Dr Andy Albrecht, a physicist at the University of California at Davis, said: "This work will go down as one of the most important developments in the history of science."

According to quantum mechanics, nothing at the subatomic scale can really be said to exist until it is observed. Until then, particles occupy nebulous "superposition" states, in which they can have simultaneous "up" and "down" spins, or appear to be in different places at the same time.

Observation appears to "nail down" a particular state of reality, in the same way as a spinning coin can only be said to be in a "heads" or "tails" state once it is caught.

According to quantum mechanics, unobserved particles are described by "wave functions" representing a set of multiple "probable" states. When an observer makes a measurement, the particle then settles down into one of these multiple options.

The Oxford team, led by Dr David Deutsch, showed mathematically that the bush-like branching structure created by the universe splitting into parallel versions of itself can explain the probabilistic nature of quantum outcomes.
© Copyright Press Association Ltd 2007, All Rights Reserved.

Publius · 09-28-2007, 10:23 AM

my mind, it is blown

WickedLou9 · 09-28-2007, 11:08 AM

I think it's one of those theoretical explanations that isn't "real" but works well as a model to explain things we observe. If I have a near accident, I don't really think there are other dimensions where every possible outcome is played out. That would mean there would have to be an infinte number of dimensions and infinity is also a theoretical concept. The map of probabilities would not be a bush but it would look like a fractal or something.

jimeigh · 09-29-2007, 10:55 PM

if you think you understand quantum physics, you dont understand quantum physics lolz

nbiggershaft · 09-30-2007, 04:07 AM

I was expecting some revalation or some data.

motivez · 10-01-2007, 12:14 AM

I wish I could switch universes sometimes.

avsp · 10-01-2007, 08:03 AM

we must get involved in an impossible possibility situation, ..., are there are paralell universes where its possible to move to another one & back again?

WickedLou9 · 10-01-2007, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by avsp

we must get involved in an impossible possibility situation, ..., are there are paralell universes where its possible to move to another one & back again?

It doesn't seem so. By thier own definition, the dimension that we are in exists with a set of possible outcomes and observed outcomes. The only thing that defines the existance of another dimension is that it's outcomes differ from the ones we observe in our dimension. So our dimension is defined by the simple fact that we can observe it. To travel to one dimension or another would mean changing observed outcomes ( after the fact?), that means going back in time to change what has already occured. However. in doing so, you have also created another dimension in which had the other outcome which you have changed. So did you really move dimensions or did you just move an outcome from another dimension to our own.
The entire concept is sort is sort of foolish. Are there other dimensions where every possible outcome is played out? I dunno, maybe. If there are, it doesn't effect us in any way and we can't interact with the other dimensions or travel between them, so it's sort of moot.

mididoctors · 10-04-2007, 03:09 PM

there are different interpretations of this "result"

Boris
London

azadeya347 · 05-25-2011, 09:38 PM

Hi my nane is Azadeya
This is my first visit,I was curious to know what was being discussed about parallel universes.I am a student of Keylontic Science,we have much to say on the topic.Of cours context and perspective is key when discusing this topic.

David · 06-03-2011, 05:34 PM

Originally Posted by WickedLou9

I think it's one of those theoretical explanations that isn't "real" but works well as a model to explain things we observe. If I have a near accident, I don't really think there are other dimensions where every possible outcome is played out. That would mean there would have to be an infinte number of dimensions and infinity is also a theoretical concept. The map of probabilities would not be a bush but it would look like a fractal or something.

You're confusing the multiverse with dimensions which are simply the different layers of reality. In our case length, hight, depth and, for lack of a better word, time . That said, 'time' is just our mind's feeble attempts at compensation as it's it's really just another layer and a 5D person could move thru time as easily as you can thru a room as they would be able to properly perceive and thus interact with it.

The multiverse is simply a collection of universes with each point in 'time' diverging in every direction (like spilled water spreading across a floor) with each direction being it's own universe. And so on and so forth.

It's a bit hard to wrap your mind around it but it's pretty simple if you stop to think about it.

CharlieK · 06-07-2011, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by azadeya347

Hi my nane is Azadeya
This is my first visit,I was curious to know what was being discussed about parallel universes.I am a student of Keylontic Science,we have much to say on the topic.Of cours context and perspective is key when discusing this topic.

Well, go for it. I'm definitely interested, as a SiFi fan.