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[Mindmaker]

That's a pretty reasonable one:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

[TD1]

Though, an other option that's reasonable (Other than Mindmaker's one, which made me laugh out loud,) is that the universe is in a constant state of expansion and contraction. An infinite number of Big Bangs, in which time one was likely to have conditions for life.

[Graknorke]

Though, an other option that's reasonable (Other than Mindmaker's one, which made me laugh out loud,) is that the universe is in a constant state of expansion and contraction. An infinite number of Big Bangs, in which time one was likely to have conditions for life.

The only problem with that is that the universe's expansion is accelerating.

[TD1]

Though, an other option that's reasonable (Other than Mindmaker's one, which made me laugh out loud,) is that the universe is in a constant state of expansion and contraction. An infinite number of Big Bangs, in which time one was likely to have conditions for life.

The only problem with that is that the universe's expansion is accelerating.

I don't see the problem??

[Knit tie]

That's a pretty reasonable one:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Ah yes, the Flying Spaghetti Monster. For all we know, it can be tha creator of our universe too.

[Descan]

If it continues accelerating then it won't collapse back in on itself.  Just keep spreading forever.

[TD1]

Yes, but if it speeds up, it can also slow down. That it's faster at the moment doesn't really prove or disprove anything.

[Darvi]

I have no idea what the shit you people are going on about when it's obvious that blind god Azathoth created the entirety of existence by sheer accident.

Yes, but if it speeds up, it can also slow down. That it's faster at the moment doesn't really prove or disprove anything.

There is no reason that the universe would arbitrarily slow down. None.

[Knit tie]

Yes, but if it speeds up, it can also slow down. That it's faster at the moment doesn't really prove or disprove anything.

Indeed.

This discussion is inherently pointless as none of us can provide any supporting evidence for any of our theories.

We might as well just say that this universe was built by dwarves operating under Toady's orders.

[Descan]

That it might slow down would be speculative until we have a possible mechanism for it.

Given we barely understand why it's accelerating in the first place, it's a bit tough to say why that would stop.

[WealthyRadish]

Just to pop in with the evolution topic, there isn't any possibility of an alternative theory or belief that could displace evolution at this point. Which is a weird thing to say from a scientific perspective, but part of it is due to how broad the term is... I wouldn't make that definite of a statement otherwise, even with the entire science of biology serving as the body of evidence. All evolution really means is that populations of organisms change and diverge over time, and that's something that can't be denied by any stretch of logic. Even before Darwin and his colleagues published their works, it was pretty clear that populations and species change, but now, especially with our discovery of DNA, it's basically impossible for it to ever be refuted. The mechanisms of evolution will certainly continue to see extensive changes and refinements, but people too often conflate that with evolution itself. That's what makes me concerned about creationism or any other denial of its existence, is just how ridiculous a claim it is. I don't care if people have to say that God dictates all changes in gene frequency to justify their beliefs, but they have to accept that it changes.

[TD1]

Just to pop in with the evolution topic, there isn't any possibility of an alternative theory or belief that could displace evolution at this point. Which is a weird thing to say from a scientific perspective, but part of it is due to how broad the term is... I wouldn't make that definite of a statement otherwise, even with the entire science of biology serving as the body of evidence. All evolution really means is that populations of organisms change and diverge over time, and that's something that can't be denied by any stretch of logic. Even before Darwin and his colleagues published their works, it was pretty clear that populations and species change, but now, especially with our discovery of DNA, it's basically impossible for it to ever be refuted. The mechanisms of evolution will certainly continue to see extensive changes and refinements, but people too often conflate that with evolution itself. That's what makes me concerned about creationism or any other denial of its existence, is just how ridiculous a claim it is. I don't care if people have to say that God dictates all changes in gene frequency to justify their beliefs, but they have to accept that it changes.

What he said.


And no one can pretend to know what the universe will do. The universe may reach its outer limit, and implode. It may run out of cosmic juice. We simply don't know.

[Knit tie]

Just to pop in with the evolution topic, there isn't any possibility of an alternative theory or belief that could displace evolution at this point. Which is a weird thing to say from a scientific perspective, but part of it is due to how broad the term is... I wouldn't make that definite of a statement otherwise, even with the entire science of biology serving as the body of evidence. All evolution really means is that populations of organisms change and diverge over time, and that's something that can't be denied by any stretch of logic. Even before Darwin and his colleagues published their works, it was pretty clear that populations and species change, but now, especially with our discovery of DNA, it's basically impossible for it to ever be refuted. The mechanisms of evolution will certainly continue to see extensive changes and refinements, but people too often conflate that with evolution itself. That's what makes me concerned about creationism or any other denial of its existence, is just how ridiculous a claim it is. I don't care if people have to say that God dictates all changes in gene frequency to justify their beliefs, but they have to accept that it changes.

Well, none of us so far said that evolution isn't a well supported, perfectly rational scientific theory.

[Descan]

We may not know for sure but we can make educated guesses. Until we uncover a reason something might harken, we can't say it will or is possible.

[TD1]

Where did energy come from to move a universe? Presumably the big bang. And what happens when that energy runs out?