Distribution of mass - from decoupling to present

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the distribution of mass and the homogeneity of subatomic particles since a cosmological redshift of Z=1000. Participants explore concepts related to the movement and recycling of particles in the human body, the implications of cosmic redshift, and the nature of memory in relation to physical matter.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how subatomic particle homogeneity has changed since Z=1000 and what sectors of the universe our atoms originate from.
  • Another participant raises the question of how many molecules in the brain are original to a person since birth.
  • Several participants discuss the idea that the human body recycles every ~7 years, pondering the implications for memory and identity.
  • A participant speculates that memories might be stored in teeth, linking this to the concept of physical matter versus patterns of memory.
  • One participant inquires about the maximum distance two hydrogen atoms could be apart now if they were contiguous at Z=1000.
  • There are questions about the exact meaning of Z=1000, with some participants suggesting it relates to the expansion of the observable universe since the emission of the cosmic microwave background (CMB).
  • A participant assumes that while particles may not have moved, the distances between them have increased homogeneously, acknowledging the complexity of higher-order effects.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion contains multiple competing views and remains unresolved on several points, particularly regarding the implications of Z=1000 and the nature of particle movement and recycling in the human body.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the exact definitions and implications of cosmological redshift and the recycling of matter in the human body, indicating a need for further clarification on these topics.

Loren Booda
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Distribution of mass -- from decoupling to present

How has subatomic particle homogeneity changed since cosmological redshift Z=1000? How much have particles maintained their relative positions to present?

I am reminded of the calculation that concludes we have molecules of air in our lungs shared by notorious persons throughout human history. If we are stardust, from what sectors of the universe do our atoms come from?
 
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A more interesting question is how many of the molecules of our brain are the original molecules we were born with?
 


Don't our bodies (besides teeth) recycle every ~7 years?
 


Loren Booda said:
Don't our bodies (besides teeth) recycle every ~7 years?

It's still something strange to ponder. Our memories are older than our bodies - yet we grow old.

Everything important lies in the patterns; not the matter itself.
 


Loren Booda said:
Don't our bodies (besides teeth) recycle every ~7 years?

BobG said:
It's still something strange to ponder. Our memories are older than our bodies - yet we grow old.

Everything important lies in the patterns; not the matter itself.

I think the obvious conclusion is that memories are stored in our teeth.
 


denjay said:
I think the obvious conclusion is that memories are stored in our teeth.

No wonder I forgot my password after getting my wisdom teeth removed...
 


If two hydrogen atoms are contiguous at Z=1000, what is the farthest apart they could be now?
 
What does Z=1000 exactly mean?
 
Mk said:
What does Z=1000 exactly mean?

I thought it was how many times the observable universe had doubled in size since the emission of the CMB, but I'm not sure.
 
  • #10
Drakkith said:
No wonder I forgot my password after getting my wisdom teeth removed...

Why do you think they're called wisdom teeth?
 
  • #11
Z is a dimensionless quantity describing red-shift given by Z=(femit - fobs)/fobs
Z=1089 corresponds to the red-shift of cosmic micro-wave background - greatest distance and furthest back in time
Z=0 refers to the present time.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redshift
 
  • #12
Ah. Ok. I've seen that before.

How much have particles maintained their relative positions to present?
I would assume that the particles haven't moved, but that the distance in between them has homogeneously increased.

Obviously there are many levels of position-changing higher order effects.
 

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