Skip to content
  • Categories
  • Recent
  • Tags
  • Popular
  • World
  • Users
  • Groups
Skins
  • Light
  • Cerulean
  • Cosmo
  • Flatly
  • Journal
  • Litera
  • Lumen
  • Lux
  • Materia
  • Minty
  • Morph
  • Pulse
  • Sandstone
  • Simplex
  • Sketchy
  • Spacelab
  • United
  • Yeti
  • Zephyr
  • Dark
  • Cyborg
  • Darkly
  • Quartz
  • Slate
  • Solar
  • Superhero
  • Vapor

  • Default (No Skin)
  • No Skin
Collapse
Code Project
  1. Home
  2. The Lounge
  3. Self Winding Universe?

Self Winding Universe?

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved The Lounge
csscomalgorithmsquestionlounge
57 Posts 27 Posters 0 Views 1 Watching
  • Oldest to Newest
  • Newest to Oldest
  • Most Votes
Reply
  • Reply as topic
Log in to reply
This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
  • W W Balboos GHB

    Just a thought, still in process of being processed, but I was considering the possibility that the universe cannot "run down" - i.e., be completely consumed by entropy. Here's the basic thought:   one could divide the universe into two types of regions: the 'void' and regions of content randomly dispersed throughout the void.   Now, let's consider all of the regions of content. If all of them (i.e., all of existence) reached a final state of chaos then the whole of it would no longer have random content between the void - and thus their very existence in a state of total chaos is a contradiction.   It would be incumbent upon existence to essentially become less chaotic in arbitrary local regions in order for the whole of existence to remain truly chaotic:   it must not have the content of all places 'with stuff' be the same and thus, in a form of homogeneity. Now I'm not set on fully believing in this, yet, but it would essentially require that the universe's tendency towards chaos requires it to create local order (rewind) in order to become chaotic (contradiction, again?).   A possible mechanism to undo chaos may be a reversal of local time, but that's somewhat shooting form the hip based on a conjecture and hand waving.

    Ravings en masse^

    "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

    "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

    V Offline
    V Offline
    VE2
    wrote on last edited by
    #27

    I believe I read somewhere that the void is not really empty but full of virtual particles that continually bubble up then disappear. Would that alter your views on entropy?

    73

    W 1 Reply Last reply
    0
    • V VE2

      I believe I read somewhere that the void is not really empty but full of virtual particles that continually bubble up then disappear. Would that alter your views on entropy?

      73

      W Offline
      W Offline
      W Balboos GHB
      wrote on last edited by
      #28

      Let's suppose what you read is true. In one respect, it would give me an entire additional line of thought to apply to the musing. In another respect, it answers the question:   if spontaneous events can occur in the void between things, creating existence where there was none - then the universe would seem to be, indeed, self winding as new existences come and go. Did your reading also consider that if something could appear in the middle of nothing, and then disappear, then why not similar disappearance of somethings in the non-void (is there anyplace that is not just a spec in its own local void?).

      Ravings en masse^

      "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

      "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

      V 1 Reply Last reply
      0
      • W W Balboos GHB

        Let's suppose what you read is true. In one respect, it would give me an entire additional line of thought to apply to the musing. In another respect, it answers the question:   if spontaneous events can occur in the void between things, creating existence where there was none - then the universe would seem to be, indeed, self winding as new existences come and go. Did your reading also consider that if something could appear in the middle of nothing, and then disappear, then why not similar disappearance of somethings in the non-void (is there anyplace that is not just a spec in its own local void?).

        Ravings en masse^

        "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

        "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

        V Offline
        V Offline
        VE2
        wrote on last edited by
        #29

        Virtual particles etc are in the realm of quantum physics, which no one as yet seems to fully understand! I recommend the book "What is real" by Adam Becker as some sort of a guide to that world. I do not pretend to understand such things but I think someday, just as relativity altered our view of Newtonian physics, our view of what the universe is all about will change as well.

        73

        W 1 Reply Last reply
        0
        • W W Balboos GHB

          Just a thought, still in process of being processed, but I was considering the possibility that the universe cannot "run down" - i.e., be completely consumed by entropy. Here's the basic thought:   one could divide the universe into two types of regions: the 'void' and regions of content randomly dispersed throughout the void.   Now, let's consider all of the regions of content. If all of them (i.e., all of existence) reached a final state of chaos then the whole of it would no longer have random content between the void - and thus their very existence in a state of total chaos is a contradiction.   It would be incumbent upon existence to essentially become less chaotic in arbitrary local regions in order for the whole of existence to remain truly chaotic:   it must not have the content of all places 'with stuff' be the same and thus, in a form of homogeneity. Now I'm not set on fully believing in this, yet, but it would essentially require that the universe's tendency towards chaos requires it to create local order (rewind) in order to become chaotic (contradiction, again?).   A possible mechanism to undo chaos may be a reversal of local time, but that's somewhat shooting form the hip based on a conjecture and hand waving.

          Ravings en masse^

          "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

          "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

          S Offline
          S Offline
          Slow Eddie
          wrote on last edited by
          #30

          Who cares? :zzz: Your atoms and my atoms will all have been recycled too may times to count.

          Fight entropy with enthalpy.

          V 1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • V VE2

            Virtual particles etc are in the realm of quantum physics, which no one as yet seems to fully understand! I recommend the book "What is real" by Adam Becker as some sort of a guide to that world. I do not pretend to understand such things but I think someday, just as relativity altered our view of Newtonian physics, our view of what the universe is all about will change as well.

            73

            W Offline
            W Offline
            W Balboos GHB
            wrote on last edited by
            #31

            So I looked up the guy and his book (in the Google universe). What is Real? | Not Even Wrong[^] - This popped up near the top of the list. It seems to me that it is, in rather simple terms, a disagreement as to the basis set to be correctly used to describe the universe. (there is an author's reply down the page). What is real - not obviously a part of what I used when starting this. Whatever is real, it does tend towards disorder as the result of any action that can be considered spontaneous. Spontaneous meaning, in this context, what will happen to something's state if it were to change to a "more relaxed and natural state" - for example - you'd be more stable if you fell down flat than if you were to remain standing. I'm thus considering what happens when everything everywhere has fallen. Is that state, itself, a contradiction? Be a bit more a philosopher.

            Ravings en masse^

            "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

            "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

            V 1 Reply Last reply
            0
            • M MKJCP

              A good read. Your page worked as intended. Nice planning.

              M Offline
              M Offline
              Mark_Wallace
              wrote on last edited by
              #32

              I always wanted to go on Mastermind and do the Monty Python thing: Magnus: Your specialist subject? Me: The Bleeding Obvious. It's easy to give credence what people say in magazines and blogs, but it's usually better to spend a few moments working it out for yourself.

              M 1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • S Slow Eddie

                Who cares? :zzz: Your atoms and my atoms will all have been recycled too may times to count.

                Fight entropy with enthalpy.

                V Offline
                V Offline
                VE2
                wrote on last edited by
                #33

                Nah, I intend to live forever. So far so good.

                73

                1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • W W Balboos GHB

                  I always wondered what those guys wearing robes and carrying signs did when they went home at night. At least one of them posts his theories online. "The End is (Not?) Near!"

                  Ravings en masse^

                  "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

                  "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

                  M Offline
                  M Offline
                  Mark_Wallace
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #34

                  Well, the end of the world is one thing; but the universe ends at Milton Keynes.

                  I wanna be a eunuchs developer! Pass me a bread knife!

                  1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • M Mark_Wallace

                    I always wanted to go on Mastermind and do the Monty Python thing: Magnus: Your specialist subject? Me: The Bleeding Obvious. It's easy to give credence what people say in magazines and blogs, but it's usually better to spend a few moments working it out for yourself.

                    M Offline
                    M Offline
                    MKJCP
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #35

                    True. But do not assume all have the same capability to work it out for themselves. In leiu of that and with a desire to play the intellectual game, the path of least resistance is to accept what seems right, or worse, what appeals emotionally. Many minds of mush out there.

                    1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • W W Balboos GHB

                      So I looked up the guy and his book (in the Google universe). What is Real? | Not Even Wrong[^] - This popped up near the top of the list. It seems to me that it is, in rather simple terms, a disagreement as to the basis set to be correctly used to describe the universe. (there is an author's reply down the page). What is real - not obviously a part of what I used when starting this. Whatever is real, it does tend towards disorder as the result of any action that can be considered spontaneous. Spontaneous meaning, in this context, what will happen to something's state if it were to change to a "more relaxed and natural state" - for example - you'd be more stable if you fell down flat than if you were to remain standing. I'm thus considering what happens when everything everywhere has fallen. Is that state, itself, a contradiction? Be a bit more a philosopher.

                      Ravings en masse^

                      "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

                      "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

                      V Offline
                      V Offline
                      VE2
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #36

                      "When everything everywhere has fallen" may be a contradiction. Fallen implies it fell somewhere, to some gravitational attractor, like a star. When a star loses energy, gravity may completely take over, resulting in a massive explosion, which may eject matter and start anew, or a black hole. I guess what I'm trying to say is that, speculate as we may about the true nature of this universe (or multiverses or whatever) we do not (and may never) know what is real.

                      73

                      1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • W W Balboos GHB

                        Just a thought, still in process of being processed, but I was considering the possibility that the universe cannot "run down" - i.e., be completely consumed by entropy. Here's the basic thought:   one could divide the universe into two types of regions: the 'void' and regions of content randomly dispersed throughout the void.   Now, let's consider all of the regions of content. If all of them (i.e., all of existence) reached a final state of chaos then the whole of it would no longer have random content between the void - and thus their very existence in a state of total chaos is a contradiction.   It would be incumbent upon existence to essentially become less chaotic in arbitrary local regions in order for the whole of existence to remain truly chaotic:   it must not have the content of all places 'with stuff' be the same and thus, in a form of homogeneity. Now I'm not set on fully believing in this, yet, but it would essentially require that the universe's tendency towards chaos requires it to create local order (rewind) in order to become chaotic (contradiction, again?).   A possible mechanism to undo chaos may be a reversal of local time, but that's somewhat shooting form the hip based on a conjecture and hand waving.

                        Ravings en masse^

                        "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

                        "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

                        O Offline
                        O Offline
                        obermd
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #37

                        The problem with your argument is that on a large scale thermodynamics moves energy from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration. Voids are low concentrations of energy whereas stars have high concentrations of energy around them. This means that the energy produced by stars, and thus galaxies and galaxy clusters will eventually move into the Voids. The gravitational energy will of course continue to pull stars into an ever tighter matter as the weak and strong nuclear forces decay, so the probability of the universe ever being completely homogenous at the quantum level is zero.

                        W 1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • W W Balboos GHB

                          Just a thought, still in process of being processed, but I was considering the possibility that the universe cannot "run down" - i.e., be completely consumed by entropy. Here's the basic thought:   one could divide the universe into two types of regions: the 'void' and regions of content randomly dispersed throughout the void.   Now, let's consider all of the regions of content. If all of them (i.e., all of existence) reached a final state of chaos then the whole of it would no longer have random content between the void - and thus their very existence in a state of total chaos is a contradiction.   It would be incumbent upon existence to essentially become less chaotic in arbitrary local regions in order for the whole of existence to remain truly chaotic:   it must not have the content of all places 'with stuff' be the same and thus, in a form of homogeneity. Now I'm not set on fully believing in this, yet, but it would essentially require that the universe's tendency towards chaos requires it to create local order (rewind) in order to become chaotic (contradiction, again?).   A possible mechanism to undo chaos may be a reversal of local time, but that's somewhat shooting form the hip based on a conjecture and hand waving.

                          Ravings en masse^

                          "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

                          "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

                          B Offline
                          B Offline
                          Bruce Patin
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #38

                          The formation of planets and rise of intelligent life seems to me to be a violation of entropy.

                          W 1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • B Bruce Patin

                            The formation of planets and rise of intelligent life seems to me to be a violation of entropy.

                            W Offline
                            W Offline
                            W Balboos GHB
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #39

                            Any thing can happen in a truly chaotic path - local order is, in fact, required for a truly chaotic system.* Hence - planets, life, &etc. * at least along the way to wherever it's headed.

                            Ravings en masse^

                            "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

                            "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • O obermd

                              The problem with your argument is that on a large scale thermodynamics moves energy from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration. Voids are low concentrations of energy whereas stars have high concentrations of energy around them. This means that the energy produced by stars, and thus galaxies and galaxy clusters will eventually move into the Voids. The gravitational energy will of course continue to pull stars into an ever tighter matter as the weak and strong nuclear forces decay, so the probability of the universe ever being completely homogenous at the quantum level is zero.

                              W Offline
                              W Offline
                              W Balboos GHB
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #40

                              obermd wrote:

                              The problem with your argument is that on a large scale thermodynamics moves energy from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration.

                              Thermodynamics tends to move things from higher energy states to lower energy states. Concentration (of stuff), although a factor, is not the only consideration - and may not even be one. The Gibbs Free Energy, which is basically the traffic controller for thermodynamic (which way does something go) includes both thermal and entropy components. They can pull together or in opposing directions for a given event. Expand your view to the surroundings and the entropy has increased and that is a dispersive phenomenon. Gravity is magic!   but, I'd conjecture that energy is emitted when two object coalesce do to gravitational forces.   Isn't there something to that effect when an object crosses the event horizon of a black hole? Also, don't black holes emit Hawkings radiation (per an earlier post) and they eventually wither away into total dispersion as energy?

                              Ravings en masse^

                              "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

                              "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • W W Balboos GHB

                                Just a thought, still in process of being processed, but I was considering the possibility that the universe cannot "run down" - i.e., be completely consumed by entropy. Here's the basic thought:   one could divide the universe into two types of regions: the 'void' and regions of content randomly dispersed throughout the void.   Now, let's consider all of the regions of content. If all of them (i.e., all of existence) reached a final state of chaos then the whole of it would no longer have random content between the void - and thus their very existence in a state of total chaos is a contradiction.   It would be incumbent upon existence to essentially become less chaotic in arbitrary local regions in order for the whole of existence to remain truly chaotic:   it must not have the content of all places 'with stuff' be the same and thus, in a form of homogeneity. Now I'm not set on fully believing in this, yet, but it would essentially require that the universe's tendency towards chaos requires it to create local order (rewind) in order to become chaotic (contradiction, again?).   A possible mechanism to undo chaos may be a reversal of local time, but that's somewhat shooting form the hip based on a conjecture and hand waving.

                                Ravings en masse^

                                "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

                                "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

                                S Offline
                                S Offline
                                SeattleC
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #41

                                Sorry, the universe could approach total chaos as a limit. Areas of orgnization could evaporate. Or the expansion of space-time could grow exponentially, causing the universe to pop like a soap bubble, also causing the universe to approach chaos as a limit.

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • OriginalGriffO OriginalGriff

                                  That works surprisingly well: you can't tell if the milk is OK or off until you pour it into the tea or coffee...

                                  Sent from my Amstrad PC 1640 Never throw anything away, Griff Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay... AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!

                                  O Offline
                                  O Offline
                                  Overtkill
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #42

                                  I use the classic sniff test. :)

                                  OriginalGriffO 1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • F Forogar

                                    If you believe that energy and matter cannot be destroyed (or created), only changed in form then what does entropy do with it all? Does it have a big attic somewhere to put all this stuff? If so, does it get the stuff out again once it is full and that's where the cyclical universe theory comes from? ;P

                                    - I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.

                                    O Offline
                                    O Offline
                                    Overtkill
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #43

                                    Well, like a good author who once wrote: “Space is big. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big it is. I mean, you may think it's a long way down the road to the chemist's, but that's just peanuts to space.” My guess is that somewhere between that, and being put away by "top men.(tm)" :)

                                    1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • O Overtkill

                                      I use the classic sniff test. :)

                                      OriginalGriffO Offline
                                      OriginalGriffO Offline
                                      OriginalGriff
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #44

                                      Doesn't always work. There is a point at which it's almost off but doesn't smell - putting it in tea or coffee will instantly "curdle" it and form "needles" which means the cup has to be poured down the sink and restarted. Schrodinger's Milk!

                                      Sent from my Amstrad PC 1640 Never throw anything away, Griff Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay... AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!

                                      "I have no idea what I did, but I'm taking full credit for it." - ThisOldTony
                                      "Common sense is so rare these days, it should be classified as a super power" - Random T-shirt

                                      1 Reply Last reply
                                      0
                                      • OriginalGriffO OriginalGriff

                                        That works surprisingly well: you can't tell if the milk is OK or off until you pour it into the tea or coffee...

                                        Sent from my Amstrad PC 1640 Never throw anything away, Griff Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay... AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!

                                        G Offline
                                        G Offline
                                        Gary Wheeler
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #45

                                        A better test would be to pour some of it into the cat, since they'll turn their nose up at it if it's the tiniest bit off.

                                        Software Zen: delete this;

                                        OriginalGriffO 1 Reply Last reply
                                        0
                                        • G Gary Wheeler

                                          A better test would be to pour some of it into the cat, since they'll turn their nose up at it if it's the tiniest bit off.

                                          Software Zen: delete this;

                                          OriginalGriffO Offline
                                          OriginalGriffO Offline
                                          OriginalGriff
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #46

                                          That's not a good test: like most adults cats he's a bit lactose intolerant (they lose the ability to absorb it when their digestive system changes while weaning). And guess who gets to clean up cat puke?

                                          Sent from my Amstrad PC 1640 Never throw anything away, Griff Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay... AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!

                                          "I have no idea what I did, but I'm taking full credit for it." - ThisOldTony
                                          "Common sense is so rare these days, it should be classified as a super power" - Random T-shirt

                                          G 1 Reply Last reply
                                          0
                                          Reply
                                          • Reply as topic
                                          Log in to reply
                                          • Oldest to Newest
                                          • Newest to Oldest
                                          • Most Votes


                                          • Login

                                          • Don't have an account? Register

                                          • Login or register to search.
                                          • First post
                                            Last post
                                          0
                                          • Categories
                                          • Recent
                                          • Tags
                                          • Popular
                                          • World
                                          • Users
                                          • Groups