What Happens After the Big Crunch?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the theoretical implications and possibilities of a Big Crunch scenario following the current understanding of the universe's expansion and quantum mechanics. Participants explore whether the universe could experience a Big Crunch again and the nature of outcomes based on initial conditions.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that if a Big Crunch were to occur, the universe might return to a similar state, while others argue that outcomes could differ even with identical initial conditions.
  • One participant asserts that current data indicates a Big Crunch is not likely, citing the universe's accelerating expansion.
  • Another viewpoint emphasizes that while a Big Crunch seems unlikely, it is not impossible, highlighting the limitations of predicting outcomes based solely on initial conditions.
  • A participant proposes the idea of the universe being symmetric, suggesting that the universe's wavefunction could imply a cyclical nature of "bang" and "crunch."
  • There is a discussion about the implications of the cosmological constant and dark energy on the likelihood of a Big Crunch occurring.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the likelihood of a Big Crunch occurring, with some asserting it is impossible based on current understanding, while others maintain it is merely unlikely. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of initial conditions and the nature of the universe's evolution.

Contextual Notes

Participants note limitations in current understanding, particularly regarding the cosmological constant and dark energy, which affect the predictions about the universe's fate.

john88888
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after the big crunch occurs would everything be the exact same until another big crunch
 
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Academic is completely correct, even if the initial conditions were identical there is no reason the outcome should be.

But it's a moot point, since current data quite definitively shows that there will be no big crunch for our universe.
 


the possibilities of big crunch is impossible to current under standing. b/c the universe it accelerating
 


That doesn't mean its impossible, just very unlikely. Again, you cannot predict what will happen from initial (or current) conditions alone. :) It goes both ways.
 


We could have big crunch in the past.
I like the idea that universe is symmetric, Universe wavefunction W is even: W(-t) = W(t)
 


Unless the universe exists as a single structure with only one "bang" and "crunch", see the points about initial conditions.

Nabeshin: Unlikely, but not impossible, and until there is a satisfactory explanation for the cosmological constant or dark energy, it is merely unlikely, not definitive.
 

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