How Does Finite Matter from the Big Bang Relate to the Quilted Multiverse?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between finite matter produced by the Big Bang and the concept of the Quilted Multiverse, as described in Brian Greene's book. Participants explore the implications of finite matter in the context of an infinite universe and the potential for repeating patterns and copies of matter across cosmic horizons.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how matter can exist in other cosmic horizons if the Big Bang produced a finite amount of matter and energy.
  • Another participant states that it is currently impossible to determine if the universe was finite or infinite at the time of the Big Bang, noting that the observable universe is finite.
  • A different participant suggests that if the universe is infinite and homogeneous, it could contain an infinite amount of matter, although verifying homogeneity over infinite distances is not feasible.
  • One participant agrees with the idea of repeating patterns in an infinite universe, linking it to the concept of near identical copies as described in the Many-Worlds Interpretation (MWI) and references recent work by Bousso & Susskind.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the finiteness or infiniteness of the universe at the time of the Big Bang, and the implications of these views on the existence of matter in a Quilted Multiverse. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the nature of the universe and the relationship between finite matter and infinite patterns.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the assumptions about the universe's structure, the definitions of finite and infinite, and the unresolved nature of the mathematical implications of these concepts.

daviec
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I have a question regarding the Quilted Multiverse which I am reading about in Brian Greene's latest book The Hidden Reality. As I have no formal education I hope does not make me appear stupid as I am sure there is a logical answer, its just I don't know what it is.


When talking about patterns repeating in an infinite universe then logic would dictate that eventually the patterns will repeat ie. we will eventually come across copies of ourselves and so on...


When the Big Bang happened, was this not done with a finite amount of matter - anti matter and if so then if the universe started with a finite amount of matter then how can matter exist in other cosmic horizons that are infinitely or very far away from our cosmic horizon?


Is a finite amount of matter and energy expanding from the big bang into an infinite/finite universe?

I get the bit about paterns repeating as there is only a certain number of ways we can arrange them. I just don't understand how theny can repeat if the big bang only made a finite a mount of matter/energy.


I hope this question is valid and not to have wasted anyones time.

Thanks

Davie
 
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It is not possible [at present] to tell if the universe was finite or infinite when the big bang happened. All we know is the patch we call the observable universe is finite, hence can only include a finite amount of matter, energy and spacetime.
 
For more detail on the finite/infinite thing, we have a FAQ: https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=506986

If the universe is infinite and homogeneous, then it has an infinite amount of matter. However, we wouldn't be able to verify that it was homogeneous over infinite distances.
 
daviec said:
When talking about patterns repeating in an infinite universe then logic would dictate that eventually the patterns will repeat ie. we will eventually come across copies of ourselves and so on...

It's a good observation - such ~near identical copies compose the assembly described by
MWI. The latest work from Bousso & Susskind proposes such insight:

http://arxiv.org/PS_cache/arxiv/pdf/1105/1105.3796v1.pdf

Stefan
 

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