Cox described the nova and supernova process, recalling Poul Anderson's "Lodestar" and Mirkheim. He also said that, after all the stars are extinguished, the dark, dead universe will continue to expand forever. Nothing was said of any grandiose schemes for consciousness to survive within slow energy processes in that epoch. But I think that Anderson's Danellians might import energy and set up bases or habitats in an expanding quiescent universe.
12 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
I'm inclined to be skeptical of the POV of people like Brian Cox because he doesn't seem to offer any suggestions on how we DID, after all, come to have a LIVING universe.
Ad astra! Sean
Sean,
You mean he doesn't say that God created it?
Paul.
These guys are trying. A quantum fluctuation in a vacuum sounds very like something emerging from nothing. Remember quantum events are uncaused.
Kaor, Paul!
No, I did not have the idea of Cox saying God created the universe in mind.
It's all very well for some scientists to say a quantum fluctuation caused the universe to exist. But what caused that quantum fluctuation? That kind of thinking leaves open the idea of an endless regression of "causes." Compared to that, the notion of the universe being created by a First Cause called God seems simpler.
Ad astra! Sean
Sean,
Quantum events are uncaused.
Paul.
A first cause would be a past event, not an eternal person. Why should a chain of causation not be beginningless?
Kaor, Paul!
Because I simply don't buy, in effect, eternal, un-created matter or energy.
Ad astra! Sean
Sean,
Why not?
(Also remember a quantum event is uncaused.)
Paul.
To assume that mass-energy must have been "created" is simply to assume the truth of the very proposition that is up for discussion.
Kaor, Paul!
And I am still not convinced of the opposite view being true.
Ad astra! Sean
Sean,
But that is not enough. If asked why you believe what you believe, your only reply is that you believe it.
Paul.
It is not enough to keep asking, "But what caused x, y or z?" especially when the x, y or z is a quantum fluctuation which by definition is uncaused! It is far from obvious that the answer to "But what caused...?" should be "God." You have been brought up to believe this so it seems obvious to you.
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