Does anyone NOT believe heat death is the final destination?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the concept of heat death as the ultimate fate of the universe, with participants debating the validity of various cosmological models. While some express skepticism about the certainty of heat death, others emphasize the importance of scientific evidence and the limitations of personal beliefs in this context. The conversation highlights the need for critical thinking and understanding of scientific principles, particularly in evaluating different theories. Freeman Dyson's argument against heat death is mentioned, prompting further inquiry into how one assigns likelihood to various models. Ultimately, the forum underscores the complexity of cosmological predictions and the necessity of grounding discussions in scientific reasoning.
Gaz1982
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And if not, what do you believe?
 
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I don't think "believe" is the operative term here - the word carries some baggage with it in this context - there are a number of models, any of which may turn out to be better than the others.

The way to bet is that they will all turn out to be wrong. We do not know the ultimate fate of the Universe.

However:
To answer the question as written: "does anyone not believe..."etc. please see:
http://map.gsfc.nasa.gov/universe/uni_fate.html
... the answer is "yes" ... and the article deals out the alternatives that are supported by the evidence in big-bang cosmology.

Note: "I don't know" is a valid answer in science.
 
I know you don't know. And I know "believe" is a troublesome word in science.

But I think it's a fair question
 
... and I think it has been fairly answered.
The link I gave you provides the standard response to the question, and the standard response is really all we are allowed to give considering the ban on presenting personal theories. The evidence so far supports models where the Universe is overall very flat ... draw your own conclusions.

Note: Freeman Dyson presented a famous argument against the heat death.

Rhetorical: why would you expect others to venture an opinion when you don't offer one of your own?
 
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I've read the numerous theories numerous times previously.

My own opinion, I venture heat death as overwhelmingly the most likely outcome. Although I'm no physicist to be fair.

That's I was scoping the opinions of others. This being a forum and all
 
My own opinion, I venture heat death as overwhelmingly the most likely outcome. Although I'm no physicist to be fair.
The thing is to support your opinion - give it a go: what is it specifically that leads you to think that heat death is "overwhelmingly the most likely outcome". i.e. how are you assigning likelyhood to the different models? How do you answer Freeman Dyson's famous argument?

As you attempt to answer those questions, you will start to gain a better understanding of how physicists think, and also of the question you have asked and hopefully why you are getting the response I'm giving you.

That's [why] I was scoping the opinions of others. This being a forum and all
...being a moderated forum means that there are rules about what sorts of answers we are allowed to give you.

You have already scoped "the opinions of others" - you've "read the numerous theories numerous times previously".
Opinions are not really very useful in science anyway - so you've done better and looked up the actual physics (I hope).

Mind you ... it may make for a fun poll ;)
 
I believe that falsifiability is the proper demarcation.
 
Simon Bridge said:
The thing is to support your opinion - give it a go: what is it specifically that leads you to think that heat death is "overwhelmingly the most likely outcome". i.e. how are you assigning likelyhood to the different models? How do you answer Freeman Dyson's famous argument?

As you attempt to answer those questions, you will start to gain a better understanding of how physicists think, and also of the question you have asked and hopefully why you are getting the response I'm giving you.

...being a moderated forum means that there are rules about what sorts of answers we are allowed to give you.

You have already scoped "the opinions of others" - you've "read the numerous theories numerous times previously".
Opinions are not really very useful in science anyway - so you've done better and looked up the actual physics (I hope).

Mind you ... it may make for a fun poll ;)

I think you're tapping into something that occurs across forums all over the world (or perhaps the Universe).

The principle of having nothing to say and an overwhelming need to say it.
 
That clicking sound you just heard is the sound of a thread closing.
 
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