"Nova Explains"
“Nova Explains”
According to “Nova,” the longtime science program on PBS, the “Multiverse,” (endless universes) must exist, otherwise, how-the-heck do you explain the universe based on a theory of randomness?
“Just because the Multiverse can’t be detected, doesn't mean it’s not there." Nova offers.ot there.” Nova offers.
Here’s a simple question: “If I found some writing on a sheet of paper that explained quantum theory, would I automatically assume that it was the product of random, unintelligent forces?”
Of course not. That would be the absolute last explanation. Not the first. And, even then, I would probably never rationally conclude that a tree transformed into a sliver of paper on its own. Forget the ink and written language, the complex mathematics, regardless of whether a million or billion years was involved.
Even if you could demonstrate that the paper was a billion years old, it would tell me nothing about the power of randomness to generate that kind of complexity. All of these things require intelligence and intent. Never, but never, would we conclude that random forces are the cause, with one exception, when it comes to the most complex things in the universe; the mind, matter, energy, time, space, gravity, plus literally dozens of other naturally occurring, inexplicably complex forces. So complex, in fact, that humans haven’t begun to understand them, except in the most rudimentary way.
The real problem begins the minute you acknowledge that some form of “Intelligence” is the only rational cause, then, you end up with God. Not necessarily a Catholic, Muslim or deist God, just some kind of enormously powerful, willful, intellect. That last word being the most important.
The fact that there appear to be random processes at work; meteors crashing into the earth, floods, hurricanes—all, apparently, random acts of nature—is an assumption, based on a Sunday school version of “God and Nature.” More than likely, a Sunday school version of science, as well.
Nova’s explanation for a why the Multiverse must exist, then, is simply saying that without it, our existing theory of reality falls apart like the thinnest cardboard left in the rain. Therefore, invoking an unseen reality—undetectable and inexplicable—is the only way to go.
This, however, tells me nothing about the existence of endless universes. Only that if one universe is inexplicable, how is it that a billion universes don’t imply infinite complexity.
“Time + Chance = Shit Happens,” isn’t much of a theory.
In other words, it doesn’t solve the problem of existence, it complicates the hell out of it.
Nothing more. Nothing less.
Mark Magula
According to “Nova,” the longtime science program on PBS, the “Multiverse,” (endless universes) must exist, otherwise, how-the-heck do you explain the universe based on a theory of randomness?
“Just because the Multiverse can’t be detected, doesn't mean it’s not there." Nova offers.ot there.” Nova offers.
Here’s a simple question: “If I found some writing on a sheet of paper that explained quantum theory, would I automatically assume that it was the product of random, unintelligent forces?”
Of course not. That would be the absolute last explanation. Not the first. And, even then, I would probably never rationally conclude that a tree transformed into a sliver of paper on its own. Forget the ink and written language, the complex mathematics, regardless of whether a million or billion years was involved.
Even if you could demonstrate that the paper was a billion years old, it would tell me nothing about the power of randomness to generate that kind of complexity. All of these things require intelligence and intent. Never, but never, would we conclude that random forces are the cause, with one exception, when it comes to the most complex things in the universe; the mind, matter, energy, time, space, gravity, plus literally dozens of other naturally occurring, inexplicably complex forces. So complex, in fact, that humans haven’t begun to understand them, except in the most rudimentary way.
The real problem begins the minute you acknowledge that some form of “Intelligence” is the only rational cause, then, you end up with God. Not necessarily a Catholic, Muslim or deist God, just some kind of enormously powerful, willful, intellect. That last word being the most important.
The fact that there appear to be random processes at work; meteors crashing into the earth, floods, hurricanes—all, apparently, random acts of nature—is an assumption, based on a Sunday school version of “God and Nature.” More than likely, a Sunday school version of science, as well.
Nova’s explanation for a why the Multiverse must exist, then, is simply saying that without it, our existing theory of reality falls apart like the thinnest cardboard left in the rain. Therefore, invoking an unseen reality—undetectable and inexplicable—is the only way to go.
This, however, tells me nothing about the existence of endless universes. Only that if one universe is inexplicable, how is it that a billion universes don’t imply infinite complexity.
“Time + Chance = Shit Happens,” isn’t much of a theory.
In other words, it doesn’t solve the problem of existence, it complicates the hell out of it.
Nothing more. Nothing less.
Mark Magula