# Pondering the universe **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 11, 2025, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pondering-the-universe/1018251 "2025-05-11T15:46:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2025, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pondering-the-universe/1018251/21 "2025-05-12T02:07:31Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > It is the “yet” in my previous statement that gives life meaning, that gives us the reason to continue…that gives us the journey that is much more important than the destination. In that case, it’s a good thing that there are things we’ll never know, isn’t it? Otherwise, we’d at some point be all done journeying, with nothing left to find out. > [@FlikTheBlue](#): > > if one of the other two hypothesis mentioned above (that the universe created itself or that something else created the universe) is correct, then there is still room for other kinds of deities. It just depends on how you define the word God. However you define the word God, you’ve still got the problem of well, then, how come that god exists? what created God? The question, when you take it back that far, isn’t really “did God create the universe?” It’s “Why is there anything at all?” Given an answer to that one, no matter what the answer is, some sort of universe can be built on it. But “Why is there anything at all?” isn’t answerable with “God” unless there’s an answer to “Why is there God?” Which would still basically be an answer to the same question. (And which answer, of course, we haven’t got.) ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2025, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pondering-the-universe/1018251/22 "2025-05-12T02:31:04Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > The question, when you take it back that far, isn’t really “did God create the universe?” It’s “Why is there anything at all?” Given an answer to that one, no matter what the answer is, some sort of universe can be built on it. But “Why is there anything at all?” isn’t answerable with “God” unless there’s an answer to “Why is there God?” Which would still basically be an answer to the same question. (And which answer, of course, we haven’t got.) That’s a tough one. I have no idea how to answer that. The best I can do is to point to an episode of the podcast _Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe_. Daniel, a particle physicist, recently interviewed someone (I forget their name, but it was another prominent physicist), about this topic, and the conclusion that they came to is that the question “why is there anything at all” is a non-sensical question. I don’t agree with that, but I don’t have a good answer, or even any answer at all, as an alternative response. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2025, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pondering-the-universe/1018251/23 "2025-05-12T02:34:49Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > Without any apparent impetus, how does all of ‘this’ just spring into existence? One hypothesis I’ve seen is that “nothingness is unstable”. That is, if there’s _literally_ nothing - including no physical laws - then there’s also nothing to _keep_ something from “just springing into existence”. ---
**Author:** ![Xocomil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xocomil/32/14927_2.png) [@Xocomil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xocomil)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2025, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pondering-the-universe/1018251/24 "2025-05-12T03:26:04Z")
We might say that there’s exactly one way for nothing to exist but infinite ways for something exist. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2025, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pondering-the-universe/1018251/25 "2025-05-12T03:32:09Z")
A universe can’t exist without time not without gravity. It sprung into existence when time met gravity. That’s my theory and I’m sticking to it. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2025, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pondering-the-universe/1018251/26 "2025-05-12T04:02:53Z")
The universe exists, _in toto_, within each entity that it contains and is in a constant state of recursively creating and destroying itself. How this process got started is not a valid question because, as previously noted, “before” cannot relate to a period in which time does not exist. And the universe is not “infinite” in a way that we can comprehend because it is folded around itself.        In this context, I assert that space exists in order to contain stuff, therefore, stuff itself creates the space that contains it.        If you find these notions too outlandish to entertain, apply the J.B.S. Haldane aphorism, _The universe is not only stranger than you imagine, it is stranger than you_ **can** _imagine_, in consideration of the fact that I was able imagine that weirdness (I think acid may have been involved). ---
**Author:** ![Precambrianmollusc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/precambrianmollusc/32/63_2.png) [@Precambrianmollusc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Precambrianmollusc)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2025, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pondering-the-universe/1018251/27 "2025-05-12T04:29:18Z")
This is always a good one to watch if you ever need reminding of how small and insignificant we are , it’s a you tube that maps out the age of the universe. “ “[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uD4izuDMUQA”](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uD4izuDMUQA%E2%80%9D) Now doubt it gets pretty speculative towards the end, and no doubt the wiser physics crowd here can point out some errors , but as someone one said , space (and time) is big , like really really big. ( added quotes to the link as it wouldn’t let me post other wise ) ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2025, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pondering-the-universe/1018251/28 "2025-05-12T11:36:57Z")
Here you go … [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/uD4izuDMUQA/maxresdefault.jpg "TIMELAPSE OF THE FUTURE: A Journey to the End of Time (4K)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uD4izuDMUQA) ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2025, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pondering-the-universe/1018251/29 "2025-05-12T11:38:26Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > One hypothesis I’ve seen is that “nothingness is unstable”. That is, if there’s _literally_ nothing - including no physical laws - then there’s also nothing to _keep_ something from “just springing into existence” I rather like that one. It seems to amount to, the answer to “why is there anything?” is “why not?” My liking it, of course, has nothing to do with whether it’s true or not. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2025, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pondering-the-universe/1018251/30 "2025-05-12T11:41:42Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > Without any apparent impetus, how does all of ‘this’ just spring into existence? Where was all of this potential matter before it existed? I felt that way in the past but, with the advent of the multi-verse theory which has gained a lot of credence, it’s a far less incredulous thing. Also, Hollywood loves it because it can bring dead characters back with impunity without the fear of seeming ridiculous. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2025, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pondering-the-universe/1018251/31 "2025-05-12T11:47:59Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > I felt that way in the past but, with the advent of the multi-verse theory which has gained a lot of credence, it’s a far less incredulous thing. Why? Don’t you just wind up asking whether the multiverse created itself, or was created by something else, or has always existed? ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2025, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pondering-the-universe/1018251/32 "2025-05-12T11:50:09Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > I felt that way in the past but, with the advent of the multi-verse theory which has gained a lot of credence, it’s a far less incredulous thing. That’s one theory I really can’t wrap my head around. When I first heard about it (the many worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics), my initial thoughts were that surely the person / people who came up with it were just trolling the scientific community with a Hollywood trope. But no, apparently it’s something that is taken seriously. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2025, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pondering-the-universe/1018251/33 "2025-05-12T11:52:16Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > Why? Don’t you just wind up asking whether the multiverse created itself, or was created by something else, or has always existed? Of course, but your OP asked about OUR universe, so my answer was directed at that. The fact is, though, that it is immensely unlikely that we’ll ever have a final answer. Even if you take the ultimate shortcut and say “God”, the question still remains, “Where did HE come from?” ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2025, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pondering-the-universe/1018251/34 "2025-05-12T11:57:56Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > A universe can’t exist without time not without gravity. It sprung into existence when time met gravity. > > That’s my theory and I’m sticking to it. What kept time and gravity apart before that event? ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2025, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pondering-the-universe/1018251/35 "2025-05-12T13:47:37Z")
Rephrasing from what has been said about the possibility of intelligent life: Either it has always existed in some form, or it came into creation out of nothing. Either way is mind-boggling. Then try to understand the concept of “nothing,” whatever it is. It’s definitely not empty space, because that’s still “something” (courtesy of N.D. Tyson). ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2025, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pondering-the-universe/1018251/36 "2025-05-12T14:26:42Z")
> [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](#): > > or it came into creation out of nothing But isn’t that a logical fallacy? If X came from Y, then Y can’t be “nothing.” ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2025, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pondering-the-universe/1018251/37 "2025-05-12T15:58:43Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > I felt that way in the past but, with the advent of the multi-verse theory which has gained a lot of credence, it’s a far less incredulous thing. This, to me, seems akin to the panspermia argument for life on earth. If our universe was spawned by one of the other multi-verses, where did _that_ universe come from? That is assuming I understand the rudimentary concepts of “multi-verse”, which I’m sure I don’t. > [@](#): > > The multiverse theory proposes that our universe is not unique, but rather one of many within a vast collection of parallel universes. These universes could have different physical laws, constants, and even versions of reality, creating a vast and diverse “multiverse”. The theory is supported by various scientific ideas, including quantum mechanics, cosmology, and string theory, but it’s not yet proven and remains a subject of ongoing research and debate. > [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > I keep wanting to respond as if this were Great Debates. Maybe it should have been there, I wasn’t sure if it was lofty enough. If needs to be relocated, that wouldn’t bother me a bit. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2025, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pondering-the-universe/1018251/38 "2025-05-12T16:15:08Z")
> [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](#): > > Rephrasing from what has been said about the possibility of intelligent life: > > Either it has always existed in some form, or it came into creation out of nothing. Either way is mind-boggling. Intelligent life seems to me easy enough, once you’ve got matter, the particular laws that seem to govern the interactions of that matter, and enough time. You just need a shitload of time, and there seems to be plenty of evidence of that. It’s the “once you’ve got matter” part that’s the problem. Quite possibly also the “once you’ve got time and laws of interaction”. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2025, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pondering-the-universe/1018251/39 "2025-05-12T16:33:29Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > But isn’t that a logical fallacy? If X came from Y, then Y can’t be “nothing.” What is “nothing”, though (besides an Elizabethan vulgarity)? How do you define it (bearing in mind that “nothing” is not the same thing as “nothingness”)? What are its properties – does it even have properties? Do the rules of math even apply here? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2025, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pondering-the-universe/1018251/40 "2025-05-12T16:41:29Z")
What does “came from” mean when the notion of time itself does not exist outside the X we live in? All of these topics have been studied a LOT by real scientists and real philosophers. There’s plenty of reading available on what’s known, suspected, and conjectured. And also on what’s been ruled out. The “It stands to reason” arguments based on common colloquial uses of terms like “something” and “nothing” and “before” and “after” that folks are trotting out are the stuff disposed of in the first hour’s lecture. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pondering-the-universe/1018251.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pondering-the-universe/1018251.md?page=3)