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Lord of Angmar · 08-27-2003, 03:26 PM

This is very interesting, Amarie. If I understand right, then our own universe would be the perceived 'nucleus' or interior, although it would certainly not be the centrifocal part since it would be the least complex of the dimensional levels. I own a copy of Universe in a Nutshell but have only looked through it for the briefest of moments. Perhaps another read would be interesting.

The possibilities of our own universe are nearly infinite and certainly mind-boggling. An uncountable number of galaxies, each containing their own millions and billions of stars, each with the possibility of having orbiting planets with the possibility of life sustenance.

Given the inifinity of possible genetic combinations, there seems no limit to what sort of life there is out there; even creatures resembling Elves or hobbits [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]. Just because it now seems an impossibility to search the far corners of the universe, does not mean that it always will be an impossibility.

I keep having to remind myself that this is not a physics forum and that I am often straying from the subject of Tolkien. Within the context of Amarie's (and Stephen Hawking's) proposed 'universe bubble' idea, I cannot conceive of Professor Tolkien's world existing in a real or physical sense, unless the power of the human mind is far greater than we imagine. We may never know if the human mind can have any physical influence on other universes or dimensions.

I agree that the idea of parallel universes is very disconcerting, but my idea of free will is defined as the exertion of power by an entity over another entity. In most cases, it is an exertion of power by a human being or animal over their physical surroundings. To my mind, when a parallel universe 'splits' off from our own, it would create a separate entity acting on its own intuitions, in which case free will would still be a valid idea.

Where am I going with this? I am not sure. Whenever I partake in discussions such as this, I always feel that I am scratching (or maybe attempting to scratch would be a better parallel) at the surface of something far vaster and more complicated than I will ever conceive of in my lifetime (although hopefully someday Mankind will be able to conceive of it). For the moment, our own universe is enough to baffle me, let alone the existence of other 'bubbles' which humans cannot even comprehend. And at the moment Professor Tolkien's works are fascinating and beautiful enough without thinking about an actual physical existence.

I am off to pick up the Two Towers DVD. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

Adieu!
-Angmar

[ August 27, 2003: Message edited by: Lord of Angmar ]

08-27-2003, 03:26 PM	#37
Lord of Angmar Tyrannus Incorporalis Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: the North Posts: 833	This is very interesting, Amarie. If I understand right, then our own universe would be the perceived 'nucleus' or interior, although it would certainly not be the centrifocal part since it would be the least complex of the dimensional levels. I own a copy of Universe in a Nutshell but have only looked through it for the briefest of moments. Perhaps another read would be interesting. The possibilities of our own universe are nearly infinite and certainly mind-boggling. An uncountable number of galaxies, each containing their own millions and billions of stars, each with the possibility of having orbiting planets with the possibility of life sustenance. Given the inifinity of possible genetic combinations, there seems no limit to what sort of life there is out there; even creatures resembling Elves or hobbits [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]. Just because it now seems an impossibility to search the far corners of the universe, does not mean that it always will be an impossibility. I keep having to remind myself that this is not a physics forum and that I am often straying from the subject of Tolkien. Within the context of Amarie's (and Stephen Hawking's) proposed 'universe bubble' idea, I cannot conceive of Professor Tolkien's world existing in a real or physical sense, unless the power of the human mind is far greater than we imagine. We may never know if the human mind can have any physical influence on other universes or dimensions. I agree that the idea of parallel universes is very disconcerting, but my idea of free will is defined as the exertion of power by an entity over another entity. In most cases, it is an exertion of power by a human being or animal over their physical surroundings. To my mind, when a parallel universe 'splits' off from our own, it would create a separate entity acting on its own intuitions, in which case free will would still be a valid idea. Where am I going with this? I am not sure. Whenever I partake in discussions such as this, I always feel that I am scratching (or maybe attempting to scratch would be a better parallel) at the surface of something far vaster and more complicated than I will ever conceive of in my lifetime (although hopefully someday Mankind will be able to conceive of it). For the moment, our own universe is enough to baffle me, let alone the existence of other 'bubbles' which humans cannot even comprehend. And at the moment Professor Tolkien's works are fascinating and beautiful enough without thinking about an actual physical existence. I am off to pick up the Two Towers DVD. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] Adieu! -Angmar [ August 27, 2003: Message edited by: Lord of Angmar ] __________________ ...where the instrument of intelligence is added to brute power and evil will, mankind is powerless in its own defence.