Feasibility of multiple "big bangs"

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the plausibility of the concept of multiple "big bangs" as presented in a pop-sci video. Participants explore the implications of large numbers and the potential for localized big bang events within an infinite universe, while also addressing the reliability of the video's content.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant summarizes the video, suggesting that given enough time, particles in the universe could momentarily converge, potentially recreating conditions similar to the big bang.
  • Another participant questions the meaningfulness of such possibilities, implying that while they are theoretically possible, they lack practical significance.
  • Concerns are raised about the reliability of the video as a source of scientific information, with a suggestion that peer-reviewed literature would be more appropriate for serious discussion.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the video's claims, indicating that the concept of multiple big bangs may not be reasonable due to cosmic expansion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the plausibility of the video's claims. There are differing opinions on the significance of the concepts presented and the reliability of the source material.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the limitations of relying on pop-sci videos for complex scientific discussions, emphasizing the need for more rigorous sources. The discussion also reflects uncertainty regarding the implications of large numbers and infinite scenarios in cosmology.

MikeeMiracle
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TL;DR
Is this pop-sci video plausible?
I found this pop-sci video which sounds plausible to myself but naturally I am not schooled in cosmology so wanted others opinion on the plausibility of it.



Thoughts?
 
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MikeeMiracle said:
Thoughts?

1. Do you want to summarize the video? I mean, if it's not worth your time to summarize it, why is it worth our time to watch it?

2. It is possible that a random Youtube video is an excellent presentation of science to non-experts. It is also possible one will find a nugget of gold in a sewage treatment facility.
 
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It summarizes from 9.42 on wards for a minute and a half. It talks about truly large numbers and possibilities. For example given enough time it's possible that all air molecules in a room will find them themselves at the same place in the room momentarily. By extension it also states that all the particles in an observable universe could find themselves at the same spot recreating the conditions of the big bang given enough time.

He talks of the potential for this to be a relatively "localized" event in an infinite space so overall not much changes in the "greater" universe. For example if our observable universe started collapsing and recreated the conditions of "our" big bang and recreated "our" big bang, an observer 300 billion lights years away would be unaware of this ever occurring.

If this process repeats itself at random places in the universe, it could mean that "big bangs" happen relatively frequently given infinite time, it's just we would never be aware of them. It would also point to in infinite past as well as the infinite future.

I have tried to summarize but it's best to spend that minute and a half watching the summary to get a better idea.

I am familiar of the dangers of "pop-sci" video's trying to teach science and the dangers and gross misrepresentations this can present. Personally I do not find the findings of the video reasonable as the matter would be so spread out so much due to cosmic expansion but his use of "Laws of truly large numbers" and "infinity" with which I am not overly familiar with prompted me to create this post asking for feedback from those more versed in these topics. i.e the members of this forum.

Thank you in advance for your comments.
 
From your description he describes possibilities. For example, all air in a room being at one point is possible, but meaningless. Off hand his presentation sounds like much of the same.
 
MikeeMiracle said:
but it's best to spend that minute and a half watching the summary to get a better idea.

There's a minute and a half of my life I am never getting back.

Vanadium 50 said:
. It is also possible one will find a nugget of gold in a sewage treatment facility.
Oh, it's a nugget all right.
 
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MikeeMiracle said:
I found this pop-sci video
This is not a valid reference. You need to find a textbook or peer-reviewed paper that discusses the topic you are interested in. (Hint: if the video doesn't reference any such source, how reliable do you think it is?)

Thread closed.
 

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