From astrophysicist Brian Koberlein at Nautilus:
The idea, from Caltech physicist Kimberly Boddy, and colleagues, is somewhat speculative, and it has an interesting catch. The argument that the true vacuum of the universe is stationary relies on a version of quantum theory known as the many-worlds formulation. In this view, the wave function of a quantum system doesn’t “collapse” when observed. Rather, different outcomes of the quantum system “decohere” and simply evolve along different paths. Where once the universe was a superposition of different possible outcomes, quantum decoherence creates two definite outcomes. Of course, if our minds are simply physical states within the cosmos, our minds are also split into two outcomes, each observing a particular result.
In solving the paradox of Boltzmann brains, we might have to face the reality that each of us are not as unique as we appear. The many-worlds model could also be called the many-minds model. Throughout a many-worlds universe there would be minds very like ours, each with slightly different experiences, and each having as much right to be called “us” as we do. More.
This essay seems to follow up on the 2017 one below. It’s a polite way of saying the multiverse is science’s assisted suicide. But that may not be a problem for the Cool buzz that sells cosmology today.
See also: Why we need Many Worlds: A Boltzmann brain existing is more probable than a universe existing. Also by Brian Koberlein at Nautilus, (April 10, 2017).