Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: Chris on 06/02/2011 22:30:03

Title: Could fiction be fact in another universe?
Post by: Chris on 06/02/2011 22:30:03

Chris asked the Naked Scientists:
   
If there infinite number of universes, each with their own infinite number of possible outcomes, does that mean fictional movies like Star Wars, could be real somewhere?

What do you think?

Title: Could fiction be fact in another universe?
Post by: Geezer on 06/02/2011 22:37:25

Only if the script was generated by an infinite number of monkeys typing keys randomly on an infinite number of typewriters for an infinite amount of time.  [;D]

The problem is that as soon as you use "infinite", you can "prove" practically anything.

Title: Could fiction be fact in another universe?
Post by: Bill S on 06/02/2011 23:37:35

Quote from: Gezer

The problem is that as soon as you use "infinite", you can "prove" practically anything.

We are assured that in infinity anything that can happen, will happen, an infinite number of times.  I have problems with this:
"will happen" suggests a passage of time which I believe is incompatible with infinity.  Also, "number of times" involves an infinite series, which is only a mathematical concept.

Title: Could fiction be fact in another universe?
Post by: Bill S on 06/02/2011 23:39:22

Returning to the OP, though, I suppose the answer is "yes". If it is possible, it is happening now.

Title: Could fiction be fact in another universe?
Post by: JP on 07/02/2011 00:48:54

If these other universes have different laws of physics, then sure.  A lot of what goes on in sci-fi movies is physically impossible. 

But this isn't useful at all to science, since inventing new physical laws for other universes tells us absolutely nothing about the universe in which we live.

Title: Could fiction be fact in another universe?
Post by: Soul Surfer on 07/02/2011 08:53:52

!n a mathematically infinite universe not only would everything possible exist it would exist an infinite number of times!!

Title: Could fiction be fact in another universe?
Post by: yor_on on 07/02/2011 20:42:27

Ahh, love that one :) Absolutely, wish I could move between them and see. Doesn't mean 'many worlds' exist though, but imagination definitely does :) And after all, there is where we live, all of us.