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Oxford Physicists Mathematically Prove Parallel Universe Theory

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout' started by weslinder, Sep 25, 2007.

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  1. weslinder

    weslinder Contributing Member

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    http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=paUniverse_sun14_parallel_universes&show_article=1&cat=0

    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.
     
    #1 weslinder, Sep 25, 2007
  2. A-Train

    A-Train Contributing Member

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    I want to live in the parallel universe where Stockton misses that shot in game 6 of the '97 Western Conference Finals, we beat the Jazz, then beat the Bulls in the NBA Finals...
     
    #2 A-Train, Sep 25, 2007
  3. Oski2005

    Oski2005 Contributing Member

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    I'm originally from that universe, it's glooorrrrioussss.
     
    #3 Oski2005, Sep 25, 2007
  4. DonkeyMagic

    DonkeyMagic Contributing Member
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    they stole my idea!
     
    #4 DonkeyMagic, Sep 25, 2007
  5. Ziggy

    Ziggy QUEEN ANON

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    My aunt used to talk about this ALL the time. She was (or still is?) a prof for the quantum physics PHD program at Northwestern. Rather than waste her time on that subject though she concentrated on creating new lasers, and now focuses on nanotechnolgy and "quantum devices". Basically she ditched the sexy theory mumbo jumbo for something that makes the big bucks.

    I remember her trying to explain that she was working on some kind of laser that would measure a parallel universe. I was maybe 12yrs old at the time. Didn't understand it then. Wouldn't understand it now.

    Cool stuff though.
     
    #5 Ziggy, Sep 25, 2007
  6. moestavern19

    moestavern19 Member

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    Hey aren't you MuleSorcery on the Parallel Universe BBS?
     
    #6 moestavern19, Sep 25, 2007
  7. Mr. Clutch

    Mr. Clutch Contributing Member

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    So there is a universe where I get up and punch my boss in the face after making this post?
     
    #7 Mr. Clutch, Sep 25, 2007
  8. heypartner

    heypartner Contributing Member

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    So, when a girl says "No!" to me, in a parallel universe does she say "Yes", or does she just not say "No" as emphatically.
     
    #8 heypartner, Sep 25, 2007
  9. Zboy

    Zboy Contributing Member

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    It's a guy in the parallel universe.

    The answer is still "No", I believe.
     
    #9 Zboy, Sep 25, 2007
    Last edited: Sep 25, 2007
  10. OrangeCountyCA

    OrangeCountyCA Member

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    ^^^ hehehe ! :D

    But seriously, I just can't get me head around this entire concept, even though I have studied it alot. If it is true then that would mean that millions of Universes, just like ours, were just "popping up" all the time. So there would be a Big Bang every instance in the 11th dimention (whatever that is).
     
    #10 OrangeCountyCA, Sep 25, 2007
  11. Air Langhi

    Air Langhi Contributing Member

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    So how does this make my life better?
     
    #11 Air Langhi, Sep 25, 2007
  12. AkeemTheDreem86

    AkeemTheDreem86 Member

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    fixed.
     
    #12 AkeemTheDreem86, Sep 25, 2007
  13. Invisible Fan

    Invisible Fan Contributing Member

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    There is a universe where the Rockets have won 50 straight championships with Tiger Woods as the last MVP.
     
    #13 Invisible Fan, Sep 25, 2007
  14. kokopuffs

    kokopuffs Member

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    This begs the question:

    Somewhere, in some universe, there is a ClutchBBS with no one to read it. Does it still kick as much ass?

    Even more horrifying, in some universe there is no ClutchBBS. THE HORROR!!! :eek: :eek:
     
    #14 kokopuffs, Sep 25, 2007
  15. OrangeRowdy95

    OrangeRowdy95 Contributing Member

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    Wait so does that mean we exist in many different universes? So there are many different OrangeRowdies out there?
     
    #15 OrangeRowdy95, Sep 25, 2007
  16. DonkeyMagic

    DonkeyMagic Contributing Member
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    :D

    you know whats really scary? that given this theory...we are mavs fans in some universe :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :mad:
     
    #16 DonkeyMagic, Sep 25, 2007
  17. weslinder

    weslinder Contributing Member

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    Not anymore. In that universe, we sucked so bad that we collapsed in on ourselves.
     
    #17 weslinder, Sep 25, 2007
  18. DonkeyMagic

    DonkeyMagic Contributing Member
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    you are right. i stand corrected
     
    #18 DonkeyMagic, Sep 25, 2007
  19. Jeff

    Jeff Clutch Crew

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    This was a Star Trek TNG episode. They're stealing from Star Trek.

    KAHN!!!!!!!!!!!
     
    #19 Jeff, Sep 25, 2007
  20. Cannonball

    Cannonball Contributing Member

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    If parallel universes do exist in the way the original theory states, there would be an unfathomable number of them. Not only would a parallel universe be created for every possible outcome of every event for universe prime, but once a parallel universe was created, it would start doing the same thing. And the number of universes would just multiply and multiply.
     
    #20 Cannonball, Sep 25, 2007
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