I have had a funny turn re the start of the universe

[Pruners]

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swaloowed is surely the correct technical term for the earth being sucked into a black hole.

It should probably have an oomlought (sp????) or an accent somewhere as no doubt an Austrian scientist made up a formula for it.

I love that there was a risk assessment on this.

Hazard - pretty severe (end of the world)

Risk - kind of depends on the maths

We're good at maths, therefore risk acceptable.

I just have major problems coming to terms with how many people there are in the world.

Lots and lots and lots of people.

Amazing.

Why is there something... and not nothing? Is the big question that does my head in.

Btw, I think Donnie Darko is a pile of shite...

It's because when I am stressed I have dreams about tidalwaves, hurricanes, etc., which absolutely terrify me.

So, documentaries about such things blow my mind.

This is such a cool thread.

Am sitting here, bf-ing my PFB, high on oxytocin or whatever thar bf hormone is, thinking.... And where do babies come from?

now bear with me, I'm aware of the birds and the bees and I remember very clearly that quart coming out of pintpot experience of giving birth...

.....but....

when that baby opens its eyes and LOOKS at you... a whole new person, a new consciousness - where did that consciousness COME from? did it pop into existence at, say, 8 moths gestation or did light gradually dawn during the first few weeks postnatally?

I know it's off the topic of physics but for me it feels the same - that whole something from nothing thing.

PuppyMonkey, isn't the answer to your question: Because there has to be something (rather than nothing) in order for us to be sitting here thinking about it.

I remember a documentary years ago about memes

That any thoughts or ideas in your head are in fact viruses passed on from other hosts!

Thoughts like this led me to my Philosophy degree! When I was about 4 or 5, I used to put myself in a freaky trance by studying the back of my hand very intently, and thinking about what it was that made me 'me'.

I was a slightly precocious child

Boco - I know that feeling very well.

I have many books about quantum science, new scientific theories etc, and I can feel my brain stretching as it tries to understand. Occasionally I have a "Eureka" moment and think I have grasped a concept, then try and explain it to my (generally encouraging but often bemused) dh. This is my failsafe way of proving to myself I understand something. Unfortunately this is generally where it all falls apart and my complete lack of understanding becomes painfully and frustratingly apparent.

I still enjoy my books though, and I shall try to think about cheese whenever my brain feels about to snap Top tip!

Oooh, and can I add....

I've recently been reading something about the speed of light, and how it may be possible to exceed it due to the fact that both time and space curve, and possibly something about gravity too.

I actually believe I did grasp the concept for a few brief but sweet moments, but thinking about it now makes me need a lie-down.

Timey-wimey stuff seems the perfect explanation!

I rather think "when the origins of the universe are getting you down, fixate on cheese until the feeling of hopelessness goes away" should be tip of the day.

YohoMcCoy - time travel is fascinating. I once had a conversation with a lecturer who said that the universe expands like the skin of a balloon (we are on the skin). No-one knows what is in the middle of it but he reckoned that time travel would occur when we could access that "inner space".

sallyforth - that whole consciousness thing boggles my mind too. I don't believe consciousness/what appears to be the soul of a person is just a by-product of brain activity, but don't ask me what it is!

You see, the other thing is, if infinity means there's no end, then there's also no beginning.

Maybe "think about cheese" is the 21st century equivalent of always make sure you have a towel? I'm sure Douglas Adams would have seen the logic.

I think something like the balloon analogy was in the book I read - all about expanding curves.

DS (8) said yesterday

If infinity has no end and no beginning then you can't multiply it. Or add it. But you must be able to divide it by itself and the answer is 1.

I can't get my head round these infinity and universe questions.

Quattro - that makes my head hurt.

I thought infinity wasn't actually a number, so the divisible by itself thing didn't apply?

Did anyone see an article in the papers about hyperbolic crochet?

www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/jane_shilling/article4123229.ece

Now there's a head-twister!

Sorry, meesed up link...
www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/jane_shilling/article4123229.ece

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Yoho, that crochet made my head hurt.

How can parallel lines do that?

Ka-boom

I usually have these kinds of questions when I am really really tired but can't sleep.

Or if I've been eating cheese.

Hmmm common theme

Boys - you're obviously doing it wrong - EATING cheese will add to your mind-hurtery.

THINKING about cheese makes it all better

I do love the fact that the problem of illustrating an enormously complex scientific theories has been solved by wool

i thin the beginning of the univere is easy. its the bits that come afterwards that are hard
big bang. somethin gfrom nothing. laws of thermodynamics dont apply. whether you call it god, or anything else you choose to do so. remembering that matter and energy can be converted into each other, but can not be created of destroyed. except in that one instance, the big bang. ( there is also the big crunch part to this theory, but lets keep it simple)
current scientific observations, evidence and maths point to the big bang at the start of the universe.also incredibly compatible idea with many religions. so quite simple really.

Aha, was using cheese in the wrong way heh heh

This is all v interesting, touching on philosophy and relgion as well

religion

[lie down needed]

do you think if we could work out what was before everything we'd find all the socks?