You think the Copernican Principle is crazy?

_{Denyse O'Leary

February 18, 2014

Intelligent Design, News}

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Then get a load of the psychiatrists!

The Copernican Principle, the idea that there is nothing special about Earth, has been a guiding principle of the search for extraterrestrial life. It’s a poor principle because there is lots that is special about Earth, and the general absence of space aliens is not likely an accident. Not to say we shouldn’t look, but looking with the wrong assumptions and for the wrong reasons will likely result in much frustration.

That said, some make the case that Earth is the literal centre of the universe, in a detectible sense.

So if there is no longer any place to put the newly fallen snow, we can excuse ourselves from shovelling, put up our feet, and watch this (= Still dunno if “They” are Out There, but this is on YouTube):

See also: The Science Fictions series at your fingertips (cosmology).

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From a scale-of-the-universe perspective (interactively, no less), at approximately 2 meters tall, we humans reside near the middle between a Plank Length at 10^-35 meters and the physical universe's expanse at 10^27 meters. Near enough, that is, to be able to observe both ends of the scale.jstanley01_{February 20, 2014
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Explain or answer this anyone: The universe expansion is often analogously demonstrated using a balloon with dots. Every dot on an inflating expanding balloon are from each of their own perspectives appearing to be the center of expansion based on appearance of stuff (other dots on the balloon) flying away. Given this model of an expanding universe. If the universe is expanding from every point equally the same. Then is it the case that there is more space appearing in the observable universe or is the case that the original space is constant but just stretching? I mainly ask because, if it's space stretching: then the space any particle of matter occupies either becomes (case 1) less dense or (case 2) the matter stretches with the space. In these cases, I suspect you would see changes in either the gravitational constants or the speed of light. But if it's more space is filling in between old space, then it seems to me that things would be getting cold quite fast. Some thoughts on this would be interesting.JGuy_{February 19, 2014
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There's an interesting issue of the era we live/exist in. Physicist Dragan Huterer talks about coincidence problem: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qTJc1Y7duM#t=2290 Basically it's not just that we may be living in a special place, we are also living during the special era in the history of the universe. Major forces of the universe: dark energy and matter are in balance. Also from astronomy we know that all the light from the earliest galaxies recently became visible but its's quickly falling of the horizon. Huterer seems to specialize in the analysis of CMB and he clearly points to anomalies of CMB in his lectures. It is a serious issue in cosmology, certainly seems that "something" is going on. Here are some more lectures by Huterer but they are quite technical. http://pirsa.org/index.php?p=speaker&name=Dragan_HutererEugen_{February 19, 2014
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footnote to Giglio quote: The Biggest Stars in the Universe - video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bcz4vGvoxQAbornagain77_{February 19, 2014
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I find it extremely interesting, and strange, that quantum mechanics tells us that instantaneous quantum wave collapse to its 'uncertain' 3D state is centered on each individual conscious observer in the universe, whereas, 4D space-time cosmology (General Relativity) tells us each 3D point in the universe is central to the expansion of the universe. These findings of modern science are pretty much exactly what we would expect to see if this universe were indeed created, and sustained, from a higher dimension by a omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, eternal Being who knows everything that is happening everywhere in the universe at the same time. These findings certainly seem to go to the very heart of the age old question asked of many parents by their children, “How can God hear everybody’s prayers at the same time?”,,, i.e. Why should the expansion of the universe, or the quantum wave collapse of the entire universe, even care that you or I, or anyone else, should exist? Only Theism, Christian Theism in particular, offers a rational explanation as to why you or I, or anyone else, should have such undeserved significance in such a vast universe.
Psalm 33:13-15 The LORD looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men. From the place of His dwelling He looks on all the inhabitants of the earth; He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works.
Moreover, from a slightly different angle, 'Life' is also found to be central to the universe in that Christ's resurrection from the dead provides a very credible reconciliation to the most profound enigma in modern science. Namely the unification of General Relativity and Quantum Mechanics into a 'Theory of Everything':
Two very different eternities revealed by physics https://uncommondescent.com/intelligent-design/nyt-columnist-asks-is-intelligent-design-theory-a-form-of-parallel-universes-theory/#comment-490689
As to the fact that, as far as the solar system itself is concerned, the earth is not ‘central’, I find the fact that this seemingly insignificant earth is found to revolve around the much more massive sun to be a very fitting ‘poetic reflection’ of our true spiritual condition. Please reflect on this for a moment, in regards to God’s ‘kingdom of light’, are we not to keep in mind that our lives are to be centered on the much higher purpose which is tied to our future in God’s kingdom of light? Are we not to avoid placing too much emphasis on the temporal pleasure this world has to offer, since it is so much more insignificant than the lasting pleasure of what heaven has to offer?
Matthew 16:26 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?
Here is a quote from evangelist Louie Giglio which I think captures this 'poetic reflection' of our true spiritual condition
You could fit 262 trillion earths inside (the star of) Betelgeuse. If the Earth were a golfball that would be enough to fill up the Superdome (football stadium) with golfballs,,, 3000 times!!! When I heard that as a teenager that stumped me right there because most of my praying had been advising God, correcting God, suggesting things to God, drawing diagrams for God, reviewing things with God, counseling God. Louie Giglio - How Great Is Our God - Part 2 - video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfNiZrt5FjU
Thus, as is extremely fitting from the basic Christian view of reality, the centrality of the world in the universe, comparatively speaking, is found to be rather negligible, save for ‘the privileged planet’ principle (and perhaps a few geometric considerations) which reflects God’s craftsmanship, whereas the centrality found for each individual ‘conscious soul/observer’ in the universe is found to be of primary imporatance,,, In other words:
,,,"Is anything worth more than your soul?" Matthew 16:26
footnote:
The Center Of The Universe Is Life – General Relativity, Quantum Mechanics, Entropy and The Shroud Of Turin – video http://vimeo.com/34084462
Verse and Music:
Colossians 1:15-20 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Finally Home - Kerrie Roberts http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukyynPEHmnA
source notes: The Galileo Affair and “Life/Consciousness” as the true "Center of the Universe" https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BHAcvrc913SgnPcDohwkPnN4kMJ9EDX-JJSkjc4AXmA/editbornagain77_{February 19, 2014
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As to the question of 'where is the center of the universe?', exploring this question has revealed some very interesting things. And although I do not know if the can geometrically establish the earth a central to the universe, there is a strong case to be made that consciousness/life is geometrically center of the universe. For instance George Ellis, (who worked with Hawking and Penrose back in the late 60's and early 70's, extending the equations of General Relativity, establishing that space and time, besides energy-matter, also had a definite beginning in the past), stated:
“People need to be aware that there is a range of models that could explain the observations… For instance, I can construct you a spherically symmetrical universe with Earth at its center, and you cannot disprove it based on observations… You can only exclude it on philosophical grounds… What I want to bring into the open is the fact that we are using philosophical criteria in choosing our models. A lot of cosmology tries to hide that.” - George Ellis - W. Wayt Gibbs, “Profile: George F. R. Ellis,” Scientific American, October 1995, Vol. 273, No.4, p. 55
I believe the reason Dr. Ellis stated this is because the higher dimensional 4-D space time of General Relativity exhibits a very peculiar property from our perspective:
There is no centre of the universe! According to the standard theories of cosmology, the universe started with a "Big Bang" about 14 thousand million years ago and has been expanding ever since. Yet there is no centre to the expansion; it is the same everywhere. The Big Bang should not be visualized as an ordinary explosion. The universe is not expanding out from a centre into space; rather, the whole universe is expanding and it is doing so equally at all places, as far as we can tell. - Where is the centre of the universe?: http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/Relativity/GR/centre.html
Thus from a 3-dimensional (3D) perspective, any particular 3D spot in the universe is to be considered just as ‘center of the universe’ as any other particular spot in the universe is to be considered ‘center of the universe’. This centrality found for any 3D place in the universe is because the universe is a 4D expanding hypersphere, analogous in 3D to the surface of an expanding balloon. All points on the surface are moving away from each other, and every point is central, if that’s where you live. And as such, it may now be possible for the Earth to be considered ‘central in the universe’. This intriguing possibility, for the Earth to be considered central, is clearly illustrated by the fact the Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMBR), remaining from the creation of the universe, due to the 4-Dimensional space-time of General Relativity, forms a sphere around the earth. I find the best way to get this ‘centrality of the Earth in the universe” point across is to visualize it first hand. Thus I reference the first few minutes of this following video to clearly get this ‘centrality in the universe’ point across:
Centrality of The Earth Within The 4-Dimensional Space-Time of General Relativity - video http://www.metacafe.com/w/8421879
As well, the ‘Privileged Planet principle’ of Gonzalez overturned the mediocrity (Copernican) principle, and gives strong indication that the Earth is uniquely suited to host complex life in this universe:
The Privileged Planet (refutation of mediocrity principle) - video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnWyPIzTOTw Life as We Know It - 2012 Excerpt: We, however, suggest the surprising conclusion that a number of important scientific results indicate that our great-grandchildren may live in a world where the “Copernican Principle” has been consigned to the dustbin. In their world Earth will be understood to be special indeed, possibly even unique, swimming in a vast alien universe that speaks to them about Earth’s specialness. ,,,the original vision of the Copernicans — with the sun and its planets negligibly small and yet unique in a vast, alien universe — is sure to regain currency. http://magazine.nd.edu/news/33384-life-as-we-know-it/
But as tempting as it is to use the privileged planet principle, in conjunction with the centrality of the Earth in the 4-Dimensional (4D) space-time of General Relativity, to try establish the centrality of the Earth in the universe, this method of establishing centrality for the earth falls short of explaining ‘true centrality’ in the universe and still does not fully explain exactly why the CMBR forms an ‘almost’ perfect sphere around the Earth. The primary reason why the higher dimensional 4D space-time, governing the expansion of this 3-Dimensional universe, is insufficient within itself to maintain 3D symmetry becomes clear if one tries to imagine radically different points of observation in the universe. Since the universe is shown to have only (approximately) 10^79 atoms to work with, once a person tries to imagine keeping perfect 3D symmetry, from radically different points of observation within the CMBR sphere, a person quickly finds that it is geometrically impossible to maintain such 3D symmetry of centrality within the CMBR sphere with finite 3D material particles to work with for radically different 3D points of ‘imagined observation’ in the universe. As well, fairly exhaustive examination of the General Relativity equations themselves, seem to, at least from as far as I can follow the math, mathematically prove the insufficiency of General Relativity to account for the ‘completeness’ of 4D space-time within the sphere of the CMBR from differing points of observation in the universe.
The Cauchy Problem In General Relativity - Igor Rodnianski Excerpt: 2.2 Large Data Problem In General Relativity - While the result of Choquet-Bruhat and its subsequent refinements guarantee the existence and uniqueness of a (maximal) Cauchy development, they provide no information about its geodesic completeness and thus, in the language of partial differential equations, constitutes a local existence. ,,, More generally, there are a number of conditions that will guarantee the space-time will be geodesically incomplete.,,, In the language of partial differential equations this means an impossibility of a large data global existence result for all initial data in General Relativity.,,, http://www.icm2006.org/proceedings/Vol_III/contents/ICM_Vol_3_22.pdf
But if the 4D space-time of General Relativity is insufficient to explain ‘true 3D centrality’ in the universe, what else is since we certainly observe centrality for ourselves within the sphere of the CMBR? Quantum Mechanics gives us the reason why. ‘True centrality’ in the universe is achieved by ‘universal quantum wave collapse of photons’, to each point of ‘conscious observation’ in the universe, and is the only answer that has adequate sufficiency to explain ‘true 3D centrality’ that we witness for ourselves within the CMBR of the universe. As well, whereas higher math refuses to give General Relativity clearance as a complete description of reality, higher math has recently (June 2013) confirmed the confidence we can have in Quantum Mechanics as an accurate description of reality.
Philosophy and Physics in the Kadison-Singer Conjecture - 21 June 2013 Excerpt: Kadison-Singer Conjecture. Let A be a discrete maximal abelian subalgebra of B(H), the algebra of bounded linear operators on a separable Hilbert space. Let p : A -> {C} be a pure state on that subalgebra. Then there exists a pure extension p' : B(H) -> {C} of p to all of B(H), and that extension is unique. Proof of this statement provides a very nice assurance, that our experiments really are enough to describe quantum systems as we understand them. http://www.soulphysics.org/2013/06/philosophy-and-physics-in-the-kadison-singer-conjecture/ Macrorealism Emerging from Quantum Physics - 2007 http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2007APS..MARB33005B
In fact, an experiment has been proposed that would establish Quantum Mechanics primacy over General Relativity in that Gravity would be shown to exist in superposition prior to observation:
Physicists Eye Quantum-Gravity Interface -Oct. 31, 2013 Excerpt: Gravity curves space and time around massive objects. What happens when such objects are put in quantum superpositions, causing space-time to curve in two different ways?,,, Markus Aspelmeyer, a professor of physics at the University of Vienna, is equally optimistic. His group is developing three separate experiments at the quantum-gravity interface — two for the lab and one for an orbiting satellite.,, Many physicists expect quantum theory to prevail. They believe the ball on a spring should, in principle, be able to exist in two places at once, just as a photon can. The ball’s gravitational field should be able to interfere with itself in a quantum superposition, just as the photon’s electromagnetic field does. “I don’t see why these concepts of quantum theory that have proven to be right for the case of light should fail for the case of gravity,” Aspelmeyer said. But the incompatibility of general relativity and quantum mechanics itself suggests that gravity might behave differently. https://www.simonsfoundation.org/quanta/20131031-physicists-eye-quantum-gravity-interface/
As well, because of advances in Quantum Mechanics, the argument for God from consciousness can now be forcefully argued like this:
1. Consciousness either preceded all of material reality or is a 'epi-phenomena' of material reality. 2. If consciousness is a 'epi-phenomena' of material reality then consciousness will be found to have no special position within material reality. Whereas conversely, if consciousness precedes material reality then consciousness will be found to have a special position within material reality. 3. Consciousness is found to have a special, even a central, position within material reality. [14] 4. Therefore, consciousness is found to precede material reality. Four intersecting lines of experimental evidence from quantum mechanics that shows that consciousness precedes material reality (Wigner’s Quantum Symmetries: Wheeler’s Delayed Choice: Leggett’s Inequalities: Quantum Zeno effect) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G_Fi50ljF5w_XyJHfmSIZsOcPFhgoAZ3PRc_ktY8cFo/edit
bornagain77_{February 19, 2014
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Seems the film is promoting geocentrism.JGuy_{February 19, 2014
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They had Lawrence Krauss and John Hartnett (YEC). Dr. Hartnett is get kinda respectable now a days!scordova_{February 19, 2014
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