A Mathematical Answer To the Parallel Universe Question

diewlasing writes to mention that Oxford scientists have proffered a mathematical answer to the parallel universe question that is gaining some support in the scientific community. "According to quantum mechanics, unobserved particles are described by 'wave functions' representing a set of multiple 'probable' states. When an observer makes a measurement, the particle then settles down into one of these multiple options. The Oxford team, led by Dr. David Deutsch, showed mathematically that the bush-like branching structure created by the universe splitting into parallel versions of itself can explain the probabilistic nature of quantum outcomes."

Yes...

[fyngyrz]

...but this is only a valid answer in some parallel universe.

Yeah, yeah, I know it only affects physical outcomes. Laugh anyway. It's Monday.

Obligatory ...

[JeepFanatic]

But can this explain why all the men have goatees?

the answer?

[CaptainPatent]

It happens to be that the answer to life, the universe and everything in that universe is 43

Re:Why is this news?

[ShatteredArm]

Yeah, the article seemed to be a little lacking in the "mathematical proof" area.

Re:Well if you can't believe in God....

[CaseCrash]

Sure you can. You can believe anything you want to. Making logical sense has nothing to do with it. (reference: see all religions)

Re:Parallel Universes conflict with Mind-Body Prob

[trolltalk.com]

Think about the "mind-body problem" Okay ...

I did ... and here's my solution. Basically, there are other branches where life sucks less, and others where life suck more, etc. I'm going to find the one where life sucks less and kill my alter ego so I can take their place!!!!!!!! (Of course, that means that there's ANOTHER me in an even suckier universe gunning for me, so better be quick!)

You'd better watch out - there may be a doppelganger of you looking to do the same thing...

Re:Yes...

[Hoi Polloi]

In some parallel universe you simply posted a link to goatse.

Re:Why is this news?

[UbuntuDupe]

The moon landing was "one of the most important developments in human history", but that doesn't mean you should report it as news on slashdot forty years later!

Re:Obligatory ...

[Hoi Polloi]

Better they have goatees than goatse.

Re:Yes...

[Selfbain]

And got a +5 insightful.

Re:Yes...

[fyngyrz]

...but in that universe, goatse is a picture of a cat going "LOL I'm all up in Schrodinger's box. I can have tuna?"

Occam's razor

[Biff Stu]

So they say they have a mathematical description of the parallel universe theory. One can construct a mathematical model that describes the geocentric solar system perfectly well, but the the heliocentric version is much simpler.

So, which is simpler?

(1) Shit happens.

(2) Shit happens. Parallel universes are created.

Re:Yes...

[MyLongNickName]

And yet, no matter how many parallel universes there are, he still never gets laid. Where's the justice?

an old chestnut...

[Speare]

• An engineer says that the equation approximates reality;
• A physicist says that reality approximates the equation;
• A mathematician simply doesn't care.

Re:One question...

[nine-times]

I don't understand how you're using the word "ontology". Can you explain that some other way?

Re:Yes...

[pegr]

...but this is only a valid answer in some parallel universe.
 
I have no idea. I didn't want to change the outcome of the article by reading it...

Re:Well if you can't believe in God....

[meringuoid]

And the whole dark matter/dark energy thing strikes me as a load of humbug... saying there must be some undetectable, magical force acting on all the matter in the universe because the calculations we've come up with so far are inaccurate strikes me as lazy and uncreative.

It worked once before. Calculations of the orbit of the planet Uranus were noticeably inaccurate; the planet wasn't quite where it ought to have been. One explanation was that this was the result of the gravitational effect of a large amount of dark matter. This dark matter was later found and named Neptune.

This is old news

[Anonymous Coward]

It's 2007, they are USB universes nowadays.

Re:Yes...

[Poltras]

I'm gonna start my OWN universe. With hookers and blackjack!

Re:Yes...

[madsenj37]

On second thought, forget the blackjack. /I love Bender.

Re:Yes...

[Dachannien]

Or maybe this. [thecheezbu...actory.com] (Assuming the deep link works.)

Re:How does quantum states end up in car accidents

[brunascle]

well, here's one way. use this site [random.irb.hr]. if you get a 1, go drive head-on into someone.

Re:Yes...

[ObsessiveMathsFreak]

Right here in this universe of course.