Thinking about the uncertainty principle.

[zeromodz]

We all know that our universe is headed towards a heat death with maximum entropy and useless energy. However, we know that a vacuum of space will always have energy greater than its local minimum (potential well) due to the uncertainty principle. There must always be random fluctuations forever. If we have random fluctuations forever, I think the possibilities are unlimited and probability theory is irrelevant since we have an infinite amount of time (Under the premise time is infinite and goes forever). So isn't there a probability of some type of quantum consciousness that could be acquired. I know the odds are infinitesimal, but there's no limit to probability here. Maybe even a new universe could be born due to probabilistic fluctuations. I know this is leaning more towards a philosophical question, but I wanted to post it here for scientific answers to this. Thanks.

 

[Drakkith]

So isn't there a probability of some type of quantum consciousness that could be acquired.

What does this mean?

 

[zeromodz]

What does this mean?

I initially meant it to say what are the odds that fluctuating particles can recreate similar conditions that occur in the human brain?

 

[Drakkith]

I initially meant it to say what are the odds that fluctuating particles can recreate similar conditions that occur in the human brain?

I don't believe that's possible. The brain isn't a simple consequence of chance, but a functioning part of an organism that has taken billions of years to evolve through evolution and natural selection.

Plus fluctuations happen on a microscopic scale. On a scale anywhere close to human scale, those fluctuations have almost no macroscopic effect. Hence you can have an electron tunnel through a small barrier, but you will never see a baseball tunnel through a brick wall.

 

[zeromodz]

I don't believe that's possible. The brain isn't a simple consequence of chance, but a functioning part of an organism that has taken billions of years to evolve through evolution and natural selection.

Plus fluctuations happen on a microscopic scale. On a scale anywhere close to human scale, those fluctuations have almost no macroscopic effect. Hence you can have an electron tunnel through a small barrier, but you will never see a baseball tunnel through a brick wall.

I don't think its impossible. I think its just so improbable that it would never happen in our terms. However, were dealing with infinity here. Of course, we don't get macroscopic effects by our standards because we only live for a few billion years at best. I am talking about a googleplex upon googleplex amount of time in which we may get some effects of macroscopic fluctuations. Time isn't a factor here because the vacuum exists forever.

 

[Drakkith]

I don't think its impossible. I think its just so improbable that it would never happen in our terms. However, were dealing with infinity here. Of course, we don't get macroscopic effects by our standards because we only live for a few billion years at best. I am talking about a googleplex upon googleplex amount of time in which we may get some effects of macroscopic fluctuations. Time isn't a factor here because the vacuum exists forever.

I don't know enough to really get into a discussion on this. But I still don't think it is possible. As you said, this would be after the universe had pretty much died due to lack of energy or whatever. With no source of energy, how would anything these fluctuations create ever be like a brain?