What is space in contrast to void?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concepts of space and void, particularly in the context of the universe's expansion. Participants explore theoretical implications of what void might be, how it contrasts with space, and the nature of existence before the universe as we understand it.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that if space is expanding, there must be a void outside the universe, questioning the nature of this void.
  • Others argue that void may imply the absence of anything, including cosmic background radiation and dark matter, and inquire about its origin prior to space.
  • A participant challenges the notion of a void, stating there is no evidence or theory supporting its existence and that no one knows what existed before the Big Bang.
  • Another viewpoint suggests that the terminology surrounding the expansion of the universe is misleading, advocating for a conceptualization of the universe as infinite and uniformly expanding rather than involving a 'bang.'
  • One participant discusses the idea of an infinite consciousness observing a finite space-time, presenting a philosophical paradox without a clear resolution.
  • A later reply emphasizes that the concept of void is imaginary and critiques the lack of scientific grounding in such discussions, calling for theoretical detail and experimental verification.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express multiple competing views regarding the existence and nature of void, the implications of space expansion, and the philosophical considerations of observation and consciousness. The discussion remains unresolved with no consensus reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in understanding the nature of void and space, including the dependence on definitions and the unresolved questions about existence prior to the Big Bang.

goldust
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Suppose space is expanding in the universe, then there must be void outside the universe. If this theory is true, what would be void? And how would void differ from space?
 
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I'm aware that space contains cosmic background radiation, dark matter, dark energy and so forth. Would this imply void contains nothing at all? Also, where would void have come from before there was space? Many thanks!
 
Suppose space is expanding in the universe,

It isn't in the sense you mean, but distances are increasing.

then there must be void outside the universe.

why do you think so? anyway, there is no known 'void'...no such theory nor evidence.

No one knows what 'existed' before the big bang nor any other kind of bang.
 
The nomenclature used to describe the expansion of the universe is very misleading. You get all those bangs, expanding balloons, explosions etc.
A better way of thinking about it, imo, is to imagine the whole universe, maybe even infinite in extent, filling every possible "space" there ever was. Usually people have no problem with doing that. Now imagine that any distance measured in this universe increases by the same percentage every few years.
That's all there happens. That's the Big Bang. Only without much of a bang.
 
The universe is effectively infinite. You could travel forever in one direction and never be in the same place twice. Of course, in a universe such as ours there would be no way of knowing if it 'wrapped around' on itself [like an asteroids game] and you had returned to where you 'started'. It would take many, many billions of years, even at light speed, to complete a 'lap' and nothing would be recognizable. And yes, the big bang may have been very big, but, was a lousy excuse for a 'bang'.
 
goldust...Since such a 'void' is imaginary, you can endow it with all the 'nothingness' you choose.

But that is not science, just imagination...

"suppose" IS not a bad way to start new science, but after a new idea, a new supposition, one has to get down to the business of theory detail and experimental verification. Why is it better than current science? What are new predictions? and so forth...
 
What if space-time is finite, but nothing exists without being observed. I think consciousness which does the observing is infinite therefore you have a paradox of the infinite observing the finite which defies logic...or something!
 
Thread closed pending moderation.
 

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