Does Memorizing 70,000 Digits Increase the Chance of Being a Bolzmann Brain?

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Bolzmann_brain
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Brain Paradox
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the hypothesis that memorizing 70,000 digits could significantly increase the likelihood of being a Boltzmann Brain (BB) by a factor of 10^70000. Participants debate the validity of this claim, questioning the assumption that all brain states are equally likely to be BBs. Riley acknowledges the improbability of creating a BB and reflects on the implications of memory on brain states, while also noting the challenges of representing large numbers in writing. The conversation highlights the speculative nature of the relationship between memory and quantum experiences.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Boltzmann Brain theory
  • Familiarity with quantum mechanics concepts
  • Knowledge of probability and statistical mechanics
  • Ability to interpret large numbers and exponential notation
NEXT STEPS
  • Research Boltzmann Brain theory and its implications in cosmology
  • Study quantum mechanics and its relation to consciousness
  • Explore the mathematics of probability, particularly in relation to brain states
  • Investigate the concept of quantum number generators and their applications
USEFUL FOR

Philosophers, physicists, cognitive scientists, and anyone interested in the intersection of memory, consciousness, and theoretical physics.

Bolzmann_brain
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
TL;DR
In his article https://arxiv.org/abs/1702.00850 Sean Carroll says that we should abandon any theory that leads us to the BB problem. Why can't I, by generating quantum random numbers and memorizing them (the record for memorizing pi is 70,000 characters), make my experience as a normal observer so rare that one can say almost without a doubt that I am a Boltzmann brain and reject indeterministic quantum mechanics?
Assuming that all of my brain states are equally likely to be BBs, and that BBs may exist somewhere outside the event horizon and I won't know about this аnd also the fact that I am either BB or OO, by memorizing 70,000 digits in this way, it is expected that I have increased my chance that I am а BB іn 10^70000 times. Where is the error?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
If I am understanding you correctly, you assume that all brain states are equally likely to be a BB.

Therefore, after having memorized the digits, your brain state would have to be equally likely to be a BB as before you did or while you did, no?

-Riley
 
OK. As it stands, I didn't realize how small the chance of creating a Bolzmann brain was. Apparently, this small change to the experience can greatly increase its spawn time. The problem is writing a number with powers in the book. The numbers are all written in one row. I thought it must be even smaller than 10^70000 without even paying attention. If you think that is silly... Yes, it is. I thought... Okay, if the whole brain comes up so often, one little memory won't change much. Meybe the need for quantum experience was also quite unreasonable. But the question was more about BBs, not about QM. And what about quantum number generators, well, I found them less speculative and that's all.
 
Bolzmann_brain said:
by memorizing 70,000 digits in this way, it is expected that I have increased my chance that I am а BB іn 10^70000 times.
This seems like a strange claim. Do you have a professional scientific reference that supports this specific claim? Please PM me with the reference and I will reopen the thread