Happy Atheist Forum

General => Philosophy => Topic started by: karadan on June 25, 2008, 12:12:26 PM

Title: The multiple consecutive concentric universe theory...
Post by: karadan on June 25, 2008, 12:12:26 PM
I support the multiple consecutive concentric universe theory...

In nine dimensions our universe can be seen as a circle traveling the surface of a torus (hyper-doughnut) from the centre, traveling upwards and outwards til it reaches the outermost edge - or largest circumference possible - before contracting back towards the centre on the underside of the hyper-doughnut to the cosmic fireball at the centre.
Each Torus may have smaller tori nested within it and other, larger ones which it is set within. The fireball at the centre could be seen as an everlasting big bang constantly churning out new universes. At least the motion our universe takes up the inward slope of the taurus would explain the expansion of our own universe and could also conceivably explain its eventual contraction into the big crunch.

Anyway. That is a theory i am quite partial to. Certainly not mine. It was thought up by Iain M Banks (my favourite author) which he was vastly more eloquent than i in trying to explain such a bizarre concept. It was also longer than one paragraph :)
Title: Re: The multiple consecutive concentric universe theory...
Post by: LARA on June 25, 2008, 12:48:30 PM
Interesting.  I'll have to read about this one more.  But shouldn't it be 'torus'?
Title: Re: The multiple consecutive concentric universe theory...
Post by: karadan on June 25, 2008, 03:35:53 PM
Quote from: "LARA"Interesting.  I'll have to read about this one more.  But shouldn't it be 'torus'?

Indeed it should. Thanks for that. *amended*
Title: Re: The multiple consecutive concentric universe theory...
Post by: pjkeeley on June 25, 2008, 04:10:43 PM
- Dude, what if, like, there's this giant cosmic fireball right, and the whole universe is like moving around it, inside, like, a giant donut?
- Whoah. Whoah. Dude. Giant donut...? Oh man I've got the munchies...

 :P
Title: Re: The multiple consecutive concentric universe theory...
Post by: crocofish on June 25, 2008, 09:14:44 PM
Mmmmm, cosmic doughnuts.

Haven't read the details of the torus theory, but is there a way to test that the assumptions of the theory might be true, or is it based on faith?  It sounds similar to string theory, lots of theorizing but no known way to prove it right or wrong.

The WIlkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) (http://map.gsfc.nasa.gov/universe/uni_shape.html) took some measurements that support the "flat universe" theory.
Title: Re: The multiple consecutive concentric universe theory...
Post by: Asmodean on June 25, 2008, 10:34:03 PM
I kind of like the one about big bang - expansion - contraction -implosion - big bang

Still, that MCCU theory is worth researching.  :)
Title: Re: The multiple consecutive concentric universe theory...
Post by: crocofish on June 26, 2008, 04:21:24 AM
Quote from: "Asmodean"I kind of like the one about big bang - expansion - contraction -implosion - big bang
I liked that one too, but the question is, "How can entropy be reversed?"  Will the implosion reverse entropy?

Isaac Asimov tackled that question in his 1956 short story called The Last Question (http://www.multivax.com/last_question.html).  It's a good story if you have the time to read through it.
Title: Re: The multiple consecutive concentric universe theory...
Post by: Asmodean on June 26, 2008, 06:00:29 AM
Quote from: "crocofish"
Quote from: "Asmodean"I kind of like the one about big bang - expansion - contraction -implosion - big bang
I liked that one too, but the question is, "How can entropy be reversed?"  Will the implosion reverse entropy?

Isaac Asimov tackled that question in his 1956 short story called The Last Question (http://www.multivax.com/last_question.html).  It's a good story if you have the time to read through it.
I do will read it. Thank you  :hail:
Title: Re: The multiple consecutive concentric universe theory...
Post by: Loffler on June 28, 2008, 11:28:26 PM
Quote from: "karadan"I support the multiple consecutive concentric universe theory...

In nine dimensions our universe can be seen as a circle traveling the surface of a torus (hyper-doughnut) from the centre, traveling upwards and outwards til it reaches the outermost edge - or largest circumference possible - before contracting back towards the centre on the underside of the hyper-doughnut to the cosmic fireball at the centre.
Each Torus may have smaller tori nested within it and other, larger ones which it is set within. The fireball at the centre could be seen as an everlasting big bang constantly churning out new universes. At least the motion our universe takes up the inward slope of the taurus would explain the expansion of our own universe and could also conceivably explain its eventual contraction into the big crunch.

Anyway. That is a theory i am quite partial to.

Why?
Title: Re: The multiple consecutive concentric universe theory...
Post by: karadan on June 30, 2008, 10:11:39 AM
Quote from: "Loffler"
Quote from: "karadan"I support the multiple consecutive concentric universe theory...

In nine dimensions our universe can be seen as a circle traveling the surface of a torus (hyper-doughnut) from the centre, traveling upwards and outwards til it reaches the outermost edge - or largest circumference possible - before contracting back towards the centre on the underside of the hyper-doughnut to the cosmic fireball at the centre.
Each Torus may have smaller tori nested within it and other, larger ones which it is set within. The fireball at the centre could be seen as an everlasting big bang constantly churning out new universes. At least the motion our universe takes up the inward slope of the taurus would explain the expansion of our own universe and could also conceivably explain its eventual contraction into the big crunch.

Anyway. That is a theory i am quite partial to.

Why?

Why what? Why am i partial to that theory? Because it is a brilliant piece of inventive thinking. That's why.
Title: Re: The multiple consecutive concentric universe theory...
Post by: Loffler on June 30, 2008, 06:05:35 PM
Quote from: "karadan"
Quote from: "Loffler"
Quote from: "karadan"I support the multiple consecutive concentric universe theory...

In nine dimensions our universe can be seen as a circle traveling the surface of a torus (hyper-doughnut) from the centre, traveling upwards and outwards til it reaches the outermost edge - or largest circumference possible - before contracting back towards the centre on the underside of the hyper-doughnut to the cosmic fireball at the centre.
Each Torus may have smaller tori nested within it and other, larger ones which it is set within. The fireball at the centre could be seen as an everlasting big bang constantly churning out new universes. At least the motion our universe takes up the inward slope of the taurus would explain the expansion of our own universe and could also conceivably explain its eventual contraction into the big crunch.

Anyway. That is a theory i am quite partial to.

Why?

Why what? Why am i partial to that theory? Because it is a brilliant piece of inventive thinking. That's why.

Ok, so you don't actually believe it, you just think it's fun.
Title: Re: The multiple consecutive concentric universe theory...
Post by: karadan on July 02, 2008, 11:17:26 AM
I don't think belief has anything to do with it really. It was a concept dreamed up by Iain M Banks in order to explain certain theories within his hardcore sci-fi stories. It is something he and his friends have brainstormed over and they have admittedly used real physics in order to come up with such ideas. It doesn't mean that they do not treat any of it with an enormous tongue-in-cheek, though.

It is a wildly presumptuous theory that i think if anyone were to take with absolute seriousness should be considered slightly delusional.. Mainly for the purposes that the human brain cannot fully comprehend the 'ninth dimension'. Therefore, it is just a complicated stab in the dark.