An infinite universe presents us with a number of perplexing problems – a recent Scientific American discussion covered many of them – effectively an infinite universe is equivalent to having many parallel universes, and having infinetely many copies of yourself out there doing slightly different things. But, on the other hand, a finite universe seems rather confining. Which makes the most sense? At least 60 billion light years is rather generous!
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2 Responses to The Universe: Smaller Than We Thought?
Sentinel
October 11th, 2003 at 4:27 pm
I think what DOESN’T make sense is when scientists place limits on The Universe.
Yes, we now know the Earth is in fact not flat. Amazing, isn’t it?
If there is one thing scientists should stop doing, it is placing limits of any kind on The Universe. Never mind the “Multiverse”.
We are looking at the universe with limited technological capacities, limited conceptions and a seemingly generally accepted idea that the “theory of everything” is just around the corner.
Hardly…
I end with this quote which I absolutely agree with:
The universe is not only stranger than we imagine, it is stranger than we can imagine. -J. B. S. Haldane
Sweetwind
October 15th, 2003 at 8:28 am
May I ask, did you read Godel, Escher, Bach recently? ;-)