Technological development and expansion of scientific data allowed to learn much more about the Universe. But what if we still see only part of the picture? For example, one hypothesis states that our Universe is just one of many. But is it possible and what is in other universes?
Theoretical physicist Brian Green from Columbia University is confident that we live in the multiverse, where in addition to our Universe you can find many more. He especially likes to study this theory from the standpoint of the existence of free will.
Green says:
“There are certain versions of the multiverse that, if any, may be most susceptible to detection”.
It is important to understand which multiverse we live in. The two main sentences come from quantum mechanics and string theory. However, the multiverse in the first version exists only in mathematics, so we will focus on string theory.
String theory attempts to create a “theory of everything” based on the assumption that all matter in outer space is represented by tiny vibrating “strings” hidden in quarks.
String theory is considered beautiful because it can combine quantum mechanics and gravity, but when you go to mathematical formulas, 10 physical dimensions arise, not the usual 4. And this also hints that there may be many different universes, each able to differ in physical laws.
How, then, to know that we really live in one of the universes? Green believes that they are in contact, and then tiny particles can migrate to these connection points. In this case, particle accelerators, such as the Large Hadron Collider, will help to find these signatures.
If we talk about alternatives, then we can remember inflation. It assumes that our Universe is expanding rapidly in the form of a bubble, which means that other universes are doing the same. Then our bubble floats with others in the giant cosmic “ocean” where the universes interact. Researchers are trying to find these hypothetical signatures that can be voids or hot / cold spots that stand out from the background radiation.
What can be seen in other universes? This is a very big issue, so researchers offer many options. Perhaps these universes will be completely different laws of physics. There may be living beings or they are deprived of life.
We have already written that Green studies this theory from the standpoint of the existence of free will. That is, one of the ideas suggests that there is a universe that is a copy of ours, but everything in it happens with the opposite scenario. For example, there may be your double, which chooses the opposite action. That is, if you decide to read this article, then it is not, if you decide not to go on a date, then he went, etc. Green is trying to understand whether there is free will on the physical level or is it just a projection of the laws of the universe, which dwell.
Now researchers are looking for signatures that hint at the contact of two universes. It is difficult to imagine how we will proceed if we really understand that there are others besides our Universe. But it will definitely change our perception of the world, as well as the idea that somewhere there is our exact copy, but with the “opposite” life.
