An infinite universe

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Alright, if we all agree that the universe is infinite, that means that it goes on forever and never ends. Does this also mean that somewhere, there is copy of me typing this on a computer in the universe as well? If the universe is infinite, doesn't that mean that this has to be happening somewhere else? Then doesn't that mean that anything I imagine is happening somewhere in the universe right now since the universe contains everything? It is a very small probability, but doesn't everything have to happen?

Who said the universe is infinite? It isn’t, it is still expanding and is therefore finite. Make no mistake, the universe is extremely vast, so vast that we as people have a hard time even imaging it, but it isn’t infinite.

The real question is: is space infinite?

Yes I agree, that would be a better question.

There could be a limited amount of matter in infinite space right? Wouldn't that nullify drakes law/OP?

*Having images of the universe hitting the wall and crashing back in on itself.*

Everything is blue and green in this thread.

If the universe is infinite in size, and the matter in the universe is infinite, and the distribution of the universe is random, then yes, what you say is correct.

If the universe is finite in size, but infinite in matter then the universe cannot exist.
If the matter in the universe is finite, then we have an unbounded but mostly empty universe.
If the distribution of the universe is non-random, then the pattern found here has no necessary reason to repeat, as we could just be considered a fluke. (non-randomness does follow from finite matter but not vice-versa)

I would think that the universe is not likely to be infinite in matter though.

I noticed that too! OMG I just contributed to it! o_o

I think the definition of 'infinite' is not so much "neverending" but closer to "indescribable"

And by that eternity is unendurable.

As, I remember, the physics depended on how much matter is in the universe. If there is enough then it is finite but unbounded. To put that in common language picture the universe as the surface of a beach ball. The ball is gradually getting bigger. If you draw a straight line on the ball you eventually get back to the starting point. Similarly with travel in a finite but unbounded universe, it has no edge. If you could keep travelling you would eventually get back to where you started.

The picture may be more complex than that now though with dark matter, dark energy and membrane theory all being thrown into the scientific theorem melting pot.

probably. i just want the aliens to show themselves already, i think we are ready for it

Yes! Hurry up aliens!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GzQd2mMxeA[/youtube]

I believe the universe is infinite in the sense of:

1. It is non-linear. We have a linear-biased language and we tend to think in ways that support linear assumptions. We think in linear terms.
If the universe in non-linear, we need to change our approach to a more non-linear one.....that is, if we want to more accurately comprehend the nature of the universe.

2. The universe has no beginning and no end. It is cyclical and repetitive. It is more like a circle and less like a line. Space/time doesn't exist except in local terms and as mental constructs by which we organize life into supposedly manageable compartments. What we think of as cause-effect is probably nonsense in non-local terms. It is nearly impossible for most of us to conceive that something could have no beginning and no end. We are used to things, events, experiences, thoughts, feelings and actions having a beginning and an end to them. We assume there is a Creator God because we can't grasp the idea that what is here has always been here in one form or another.
A line has a beginning and an end. Go from point A to point B. We are used to thinking in either/or terms.....not both/and terms.
For every decision there are at least 4 possibilities.....A, B, neither A nor B, both A and B.
Paradoxes abound. Just because it appears to be contradictory doesn't mean it can't be true!!

Last edited by alba on 11 Apr 2009, 8:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Astrophysicists believe otherwise.