Evidence from cosmological observations, coupled with Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity and research into the physics of the singularity out of which the universe began most strongly argues that matter and energy, space and time all came into existence from a true nothingness.
Tag: Big Think
At Big Think: Max Planck and how the dramatic birth of quantum physics changed the world
The revelation of the quantum nature of physical reality is consistent with the understanding that information may be more fundamental than matter and energy.
At Big Think: Brain experiment suggests that consciousness relies on quantum entanglement
As a physicist whose research involved computational nano-electronics, for which the entire physical schema relied upon quantum mechanical transport of electrons through molecular structures, it would seem to be a “no-brainer” that quantum processes (including entanglement) are prevalent in brain activity.
At Big Think: How reality is shaped by the speed of light
Adam Frank writes: KEY TAKEAWAYS When you look at a picture of a galaxy that is 75 million light-years away, you are seeing that galaxy at a time when dinosaurs ruled the Earth. Distance translates into time because the speed of light is finite. What you perceive as “now” is really layer after layer of light Read More…
At Big Think: How Earth’s magnetic field bounced back just as complex life was emerging
“The insights gathered by [this research] offer a clearer picture of the dramatic events that once unfolded deep within our planet’s interior. They also provide new hints as to how Earth narrowly avoided a Mars-like fate, just as complex, multicellular life was beginning to emerge.”
At Big Think: Can we predict evolution?
If the future forms of living organisms are predictable, it will be due to the ensemble of their systems of particles obeying fundamental laws of physics. “Evolution” is not a “law of physics” that is independent of or supersedes other known laws of physics.
At Big Think: Without Einstein, we might have missed General Relativity
In considering “the only important question we can ask”, namely, “What is true?”, can we think of any commonly held theory that matches some of the data, but has had to be propped up by various “epicycles,” and may “lead us even farther astray” by missing a profound understanding of reality?
At Big Think: Why the Multiverse is a “God-of-the-gaps” theory
Marcelo Gleiser writes: “The Multiverse has been proposed as an answer to the question, “Why does our Universe exist?”
Its proponents believe the Multiverse can explain our origins without having to reference God. But the Multiverse is in no way falsifiable, and the arguments in its support are nearly identical to the arguments for God.”
At Big Think: The simulation hypothesis is a dangerous illusion
“The simulation argument messes with our self-esteem. It concludes that we have no free will, that we are just puppets fooled into thinking we are free to make choices.”
From Big Think: Chinese rover makes surprise discovery about liquid water on Mars
A Chinese rover has found evidence that there was liquid water on Mars far more recently than we thought — a discovery that could affect plans to one day colonize the Red Planet.
At Big Think: “Spooky” quantum biology might cause your DNA to mutate
Jenny Morber: Theoretical research suggests that quantum effects could drive mutations in human DNA. This is the latest development in an emerging field called quantum biology.
At Big Think: 5 ways the James Webb Space Telescope could change science forever
Ethan Siegel: Thanks to its unique, unprecedented capabilities, JWST might answer five currently open questions about the Universe in very surprising ways.
At Big Think: How the Multiverse could break the scientific method
Theoretical physicist Marcelo Gleiser raises the issue that the multiverse hypothesis suffers from the unscientific property of non-falsifiability. Embedded in his article is a solid acknowledgement of the fine-tuning of physical parameters for life to exist in our universe.