What is the Probability of Multiple Universes?

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The discussion centers on the probability of multiple universes, suggesting that there may be infinite or countless universes beyond our own. It highlights that signs of these universes could take trillions of years to reach us and may be too faint to detect. Some participants argue against relying on cultural logic, emphasizing the need for empirical evidence to support claims about the existence of other universes. The conversation also touches on the historical perspective of humanity's understanding of its place in the cosmos, suggesting that assumptions about being the only universe may be flawed. Ultimately, the topic remains speculative, with some humor added regarding the concept of a 'sock abyss.'
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There are likely to be infinite, or at least countless universes out there. We haven't seen them because any signs of their existence, such as wavelengths along the EMS, may very well take trillions of years go get here, and also may very well be too faint to detect from the astronomical (excuse the pun) distances away.

From a historical standpoint, most cultures believed that they were the center of the earth, i.e., the mediterranean was once believed to be all that was. Then it was Earth with the heavens around it, then our solar system, our galaxy, etc. Based on cultural logic, we are, more than likely, incorrect about assuming that ours is the only universe, that aliens don't exist, and that socks disappear into a 'sock abyss'.
 
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applebob said:
There are likely to be infinite, or at least countless universes out there. We haven't seen them because any signs of their existence, such as wavelengths along the EMS, may very well take trillions of years go get here, and also may very well be too faint to detect from the astronomical (excuse the pun) distances away.

I would say that one cannot claim it is likely at all, as we have no knowledge of other universes, or even the possibility of their existence.

From a historical standpoint, most cultures believed that they were the center of the earth, i.e., the mediterranean was once believed to be all that was. Then it was Earth with the heavens around it, then our solar system, our galaxy, etc. Based on cultural logic, we are, more than likely, incorrect about assuming that ours is the only universe, that aliens don't exist, and that socks disappear into a 'sock abyss'.

Irrelevant. We do not do science based on "cultural logic", whatever that is. We base it on empirical evidence, of which there is absolutely none for other universes. Realize that we don't just "assume" that there is only one universe. We simply cannot say that there is anything more than 1 universe due to lack of evidence as, again, science is based on evidence, not what you or I think is logical and probable or not. Even if we find evidence for multiple universes in the future, we are not "wrong" with our current view, as nothing anywhere in science says that there is ONLY one universe. (Although the formal definition is usually taken to be "all that exists", so there cannot be more than one by that meaning)
 
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applebob said:
There are likely to be infinite, or at least countless universes out there. We haven't seen them because any signs of their existence, such as wavelengths along the EMS, may very well take trillions of years go get here, and also may very well be too faint to detect from the astronomical (excuse the pun) distances away.

From a historical standpoint, most cultures believed that they were the center of the earth, i.e., the mediterranean was once believed to be all that was. Then it was Earth with the heavens around it, then our solar system, our galaxy, etc. Based on cultural logic, we are, more than likely, incorrect about assuming that ours is the only universe, that aliens don't exist, and that socks disappear into a 'sock abyss'.

As of today it is pure guesswork, IMO.

I kind of like the sock abyss concept though. It's about time someone put that to a rigorous test.
 
Hi, I saw someone with an avatar on a different forum that turns out to be the sombrero galaxy. AI says, too distant to know much about, aside from billions of starts, potentially tons of planets, and a supermassive black hole in the center. I find that setup fascinating, despite knowing close to nothing about the universe. So I ask: could anyone point me in the direction of, or provide information about this galaxy? I do not trust AI beyond general information, and I like to go pretty...

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