Predictability of universe

[nightsky656]

Hi there. This morning while in the shower I was having some deep thoughts about the universe/life just like every other person here does from time to time. I don't have the educational background (I am still in high school) to really make an informed guess as to the answer to my question.<br /><br />Suppose that the universe is entirely predictable. Within the first billionth of a second if we had a AMAZINGLY high powered computer with a map of all the atoms in the universe, I believe that with a vast knowledge of physics we would be able to peer into the future because the universe SHOULD be completely predictable. Even the human brain shouldn't be deemed as "special". A lot of the mistakes in physics were supposedly made because we thought we were in some way special. <br /><br />So now suppose that the brain is predictable too, if you were to have a program to predict what was going on in the universe at any given time by applying the laws of physics to the first billionth of a second in the universe. If we were to program the program to show us a picture of our office in 1 minute into the future, we would be able to change it. We would have a choice... at least I would think we would. Does this mean that the human brain defy's physics? <br /><br />Anyone know of any good articles on the subject? Also feel free to input any ideas and sorry if this is put together in a sloppy fashion.

 

[harmonicaman]

Hmmm...<br /><br />Really interesting question!<br /><br />I would argue no, the universe is not predictable. After the universe was 10^-43 seconds old, <i>Chaos</i> prevailed, (within certain laws and parameters which don't allow <i>Chaos</i> to get completely out of hand)...<br /><br />A <b>Chaos Theory</b> article:<br /><br />http://www.imho.com/grae/chaos/

 

[siriusmre]

"I would argue no, the universe is not predictable. After the universe was 10-43 seconds old, Chaos prevailed..."<br /><br />These two statements seem to contradict each other. If the universe is truly unpredictable, then how do we "know" what happened when the universe was that young? Are we to suppose that if we just "run the clock back" on the universe that we see today that we can get any kind of accurate notion of what was happening then? The universe's innate unpredictability would suggest that that would not work. Besides, how do we know how far back to wind the clock? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[eric2006]

How do you know you were not just created 10 seconds ago? Then the creator put all of your memories into your brain the instant you were created. <br /><br />That bike you got for Christmas when you were ten could just be a false memory. <br /><br />How do you really know you typed a question in this forum? <br /><br />God could have planted the question here using your identity and placed the memory of you doing so into your brain the moment you logged in. We all might be figments of your imagination.<br /><br />You would have to develop an algorithm to predict every single possible set of anomalies (my example) and then factor that in as well.

 

[CalliArcale]

Reminds me of a Harlan Ellison story where somebody discovered that the universe really did just exist in very small increments of time. You don't actually go on into the future -- you go into an alternate reality, where you get a new set of memories and are unaware that there was ever a different you. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#666699"><em>"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff."</em>  -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>

 

[eric2006]

Maybe by developing algorithms -- based on sophisticated mathematics, statistical modeling techniques and collective behavior theory it should be possible to predict but very improbable.<br /><br />You would have to develop an algorithm to predict every single possible set of anomalies and factor that in. <br /><br />I watched a movie called "PI" where a guy tried to do the very same thing you suggested to predict the stock market. I think he went insane at the end.

 

[eric2006]

Did you ever see the movie "Dark City". <br /><br />From your description of that story it seems that is where they got their screen play idea. Only it was aliens who rewrote your memories as part of a study of human behavior.

 

[vogon13]

I'm going down to Shell Beach this afternoon.<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#ff0000"><strong>TPTB went to Dallas and all I got was Plucked !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#339966"><strong>So many people, so few recipes !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#0000ff"><strong>Let's clean up this stinkhole !!</strong></font> </p> </div>

 

[eric2006]

send me a postcard <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> (If you find it)

 

[scull]

"We all might be figments of your imagination."<br /><br /><br />Actually I'm the only person here right now. I like to talk to myself.<br /><br />Here are MY handles:<br /><br /><br />scull <br />drwayne <br />CalliArcale <br />flynn <br />swampcat<br />Dobbins <br />harmonicaman<br />Nibb31 <br />nacnud <br />krrr <br />SpaceLifeJunkie <br />Eric2006 <br />ufologist <br />jimglenn <br />Lex_Luthor <br />thenutti <br />vogon13<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />--<br />

 

[eric2006]

I insist it is only I. Everyone here who speaks is only but my own thoughts. Everything I hear is just me speaking to myself. Reality is only what I perceive it to be. Prove me otherwise. <br /><br />If you do I would only be proving myself wrong. If it was only me proving myself wrong then I was really right to begin with.

 

[scull]

LOL <br /><br />say wha?<br /><br />Anyway, of all MY personalities, Eric2006 is the most cantankerous <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br /><br />--<br /><br />

 

[eric2006]

With good counseling and proper medication you can have the said personality, "Eric2006" eliminated.

 

[scull]

"Eric2006" is at it again.... <br /><br />He is obviously using reverse psychology on me. He doesn't really want to be eliminated. Far from it (because Eric2006's ultimate goal is world domination)...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />--

 

[eric2006]

"ultimate goal is world domination" <br /><br />Now WE have said too much. <img src="/images/icons/mad.gif" /> All the other personalities are throwing a party in the cerebellum tonight and you ain't invited.

 

[vogon13]

If you go by post count, vogon13 is rapidly becoming the dominant personality.<br /><br />The other personalities should be frightened.<br /><br />Very frightened, indeed.<br /><br /><br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#ff0000"><strong>TPTB went to Dallas and all I got was Plucked !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#339966"><strong>So many people, so few recipes !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#0000ff"><strong>Let's clean up this stinkhole !!</strong></font> </p> </div>

 

[scull]

Of all MY personalities vogon13 has the most posts because he's a blabbermouth....<br /><br /><br /><br />*sighs*<br />

 

[eric2006]

vogon13,<br /><br />I overheard the others planning a coup against you.

 

[vogon13]

Scull won't be with us any more today, I sent him to his lobe to think about his misbehavior.<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#ff0000"><strong>TPTB went to Dallas and all I got was Plucked !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#339966"><strong>So many people, so few recipes !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#0000ff"><strong>Let's clean up this stinkhole !!</strong></font> </p> </div>

 

[scull]

"Now WE have said too much. All the other personalities are throwing a party in the cerebellum tonight and you ain't invited."<br /><br /><br />"Eric2006" is being a big baby. This is another side to this particular personality.<br /><br /><br />--

 

[scull]

"I sent him to his lobe"<br /><br /><br />"vogon13", if you send me, you send yourself....<br /><br />You and I share ONE body...<br /><br /><br /><br />--

 

[eric2006]

"You and I share ONE body"<br /><br />This is a marriage of madness I tell you.

 

[scull]

"Eric2006",<br /><br />Not a marriage, but a possession....<br /><br />You and the others have possessed my body....<br /><br />I will need an exorcism....<br /><br /><br /><br />s--

 

[vogon13]

PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER ! ! ! !<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#ff0000"><strong>TPTB went to Dallas and all I got was Plucked !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#339966"><strong>So many people, so few recipes !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#0000ff"><strong>Let's clean up this stinkhole !!</strong></font> </p> </div>

 

[eric2006]

Roses are red, violets are blue. I am schizophrenic and so am I....