Parallel Realities..?

[Yama Tombo]

Do you believe in parallel realities? Because there is some theory with some technological guy believe that parallel realities exist. The theory started from something on lasers, if anyone knows what I'm talking about could you elaborate more?

[Drealoth]

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?articleID=000F1EDD-B48A-1E90-8EA5809EC5880000

[killbill]

quantam physics
one of the possible solutions to the wave function (probabilities of location of particles, actually particals have no definate location but are smeared out over space, anyway, one solution is that each time you observe something it splits with every possible solution happening but in an alternate universe. I would explain more but im lazy and tired, maybe i'll post more later, in the mean time check out the physics section of your local librry(i sound like an afterschool special)

[killbill]

okay i read the article
1 problem, they are using determinism as their underlying principle. It has already been proven that determinism is wrong.
also, assuming that space is infinite has gravitational implications that don't coincide with observations (expansion of universe). Looks like the astronomers need to be in closer contact with the physicists.

[LilBunnyRabbit]

Actually its not one of the possible solutions, its one of about a dozen reputable, and many more disreputable, interpretations of the solution to Shroedinger's wave equation.

Personally I'm not fussed enough about parallel universes to hold an actual opinion on them. They may or may not be, and we'll never be able to interact with or even observe them in my life-time.

[freespirit]

so would you like to meet your ifinite self ?

[clutchdoctor]

Why? I might not like what i see, i'd rathr live in my own little dream world :P

[freespirit]

fair enough :-)

[Grifter]

String Theory (http://superstringtheory.com/basics/index.html)

The String Theory has to do with parallel dimensions. Its a lot of equations and technical mumbo jumbo that doesnt make the slightest bit of sense to me. But what I did figure out of it is something about 'string' in space vibrating back and forth creating seperate dimensions. Or something along those lines. Youll have to read it for yourself.

[nzric]

Doesn't the slit light experiment deal with parallel realities??

I know it's a way to show light is both a wave and a particle, but doesn't it also show light particles interacting with their equivalent partners in other dimensions? I heard that was one theory.

[LilBunnyRabbit]

I know it's a way to show light is both a wave and a particle, but doesn't it also show light particles interacting with their equivalent partners in other dimensions? I heard that was one theory.

Ah yes, that lovely little experiment, here we go.

Cut two slits in a piece of metal, two very thin slits with widths close to the wavelength of light, then shine a light on them. On the other side, projected onto a screen, you'll get an interference pattern. It looks a bit like a barcode. Its caused by the light from each slit interfering with light from the other slit.

Now, for even greater fun and games lets say you can release one photon, a single particle of light. You fire this photon at the slits, and of course, it has to go through one or the other. Lets say you put a pin wherever that photon hits. Then you fire another photon. Once you've fired enough you'll notice something, the pattern of pins is identical to the interference pattern, but there is no light to interfere with the photons. Something must be though, hence the theory that light in other universes is interfering. Another theory, which I personally prefer, is that the light exists as a wave function until it is detected, so there is a probability of it being at any point in the interference pattern.

The only way that you can still get an interference pattern though, is for the light to have gone through both slits. One particle through two parallel slits.

Lets have a little more fun. Now we set up a detector, capable of telling which slit the light went through, and watch the results. The interference pattern vanishes. Light goes through either one slit, or the other, and after placing the pins you just get two bars of light on the projector, in just the place you'd expect for light passing through the slits.

Now you stop reading the results, and delete them as soon as they come in instead. Well, guess what. The interference pattern comes back.

[nzric]

That's unfair - now I'm even more confused!

[Yama Tombo]

A little more elaboration....

[LilBunnyRabbit]

You're confused at that? If you want even more fun, try relativity. :D

[shipto]

lol that was in timeline by micheal crichton confusing as hell.

[Kwajman]

Okay, my head hurts now.....

[ap Oweyn]

Originally posted by freespirit
so would you like to meet your ifinite self ?

Good heavens, no. I can barely tolerate this me.

[Yama Tombo]

Good heavens, no. I can barely tolerate this me.

What if that you was better than you? What if that you was rich? You traveled to that parallel universe, that you died, and you knew about it? ;) just a thought.

[LilBunnyRabbit]

What if that you was better than you? What if that you was rich?

That'd just make it worse. I'm happier not knowing.

[MandrilBorracho]

shoot him and take his place. he's you, after all :D ; so it's not even murder.

[LilBunnyRabbit]

Some places frown on suicide as well. :p