Is it possible that we are living in multiple universes at the same time? If so, how does that work?

Is it possible that we are living in multiple universes at the same time? If so, how does that work?

14 answers , last was 15 years ago

I am curious about parallel universes and multiple dimensions in space. Is it possible to be living in more than one universe at the same time? If so, how does that work?

Asked by Cher Bear in Physics at 5:04pm on March 22nd, 2009
Michael Cooke 1905
Answered at 9:20am on March 27th, 2009
Well, except that it soundly like a wild science fiction conceit - it's one idea being toyed with by theoretical physics types. the problem is Newton's nice and reasonable physics stop making sense on a sub atomic level - so things get pretty weird.

Every choice every person makes, every chance they take - creates a new universe, every choice and every option is explored in a universe of its own - in a multiverse of infinite realities. That's one theory.
Heidi Vickery New Brain
Answered at 4:01am on March 26th, 2009
I don't know but it is so fascinating....sub atomic, particle physics, quantum foam...too much for us plain brains!!! But I pray its possible..so I can be in Heaven and be hautning folks down here simulatneously...
Stevie Hinton 2322
Answered at 5:33am on March 25th, 2009
Hate to be a skeptic realist, but I seriously doubt it. If there were more than one universe you were living in, wouldn't you be conscious of it? At least in the slightest?

Sure, I understand the imagination thing, but I guess we could have clones/twins living out there somewhere, but there are too many cosmic anomalies in which the infinite number of combination of variables lead to an infinite number of possibilities for life... There's a lot of space out there.

Um, Okay, let me change my answer: Who knows.
I don't and I don't want to. I have enough trouble keeping a firm grip on this reality.
Lif Strand 1327
Answered at 1:49am on March 25th, 2009
Universe, if it is everything that is, must be infinite. An infinite Universe would contain alternate, parallel or multiple dimensions, if such exist.

However, a human incarnate in a body is finite. No matter how many alternates there are, a finite human can only perceive one aspect of Universe at a time - that is all our bodies are capable of. Practically speaking, therefore, there can only be one universe for a human incarnate, that is, the one the human body is in at any given time.

Note, however, that the mind is a different critter altogether. If we, while incarnate, can connect with our higher selves, which may be infinite, then the first two paragraphs above would have to be reconsidered.
Unknown Brain 1830
Answered at 12:16am on March 25th, 2009
The first thing I would say is that the terms 'alternate universe', 'multiverse' and their ilk are misnomers.

The term universe is defined in the American Heritage Dictionary as 'All matter and energy, including the earth, the galaxies, and the contents of intergalactic space, regarded as a whole.'

The term is derived from the latin uni, or one, and versus, or turned. A literal translation is 'All turned to one,' or as stated, a single term that defines everything.

By definition, anything that one would refer to as an 'alternate universe' is already accounted for and contained within the term 'universe.'

That said, my complaint is purely semantic. 'Alternate universe' is a term basically used to give a name to a concept that is difficult to put simply.




As far as living in more than one universe at the same time, if you believe in the 'many worlds' theory, we all already are. The 'many worlds' theory, at its heart, dictates that anything that could possibly happen does happen. To explain more thoroughly- at any point in time where a choice is made, or anything left up to chance happens, the 'worldline' (kind of an amalgamation of timeline and world) splits in as many different directions as there are choices. The implication here is that there are a nearly infinite number of possible universes that exist simultaneously.

This is an absolutely HORRIBLE theory to believe in, not because it is wrong, but because of what it can do to a believer when they come to a serious realization of how huge an effect a seemingly innocuous decision can be. One of the more sinister aspects of the 'many worlds' theory is also known as the butterfly effect. This refers to the fact that our planet is essentially one big continuous system. A butterfly flaps its wings on one side of the planet, which causes a miniscule drop in pressure on one side of the wing and a miniscule increase on the other side. This causes a larger shift as air moves to 'fill the gap' and air expands from the increased pressure point. The changes are always small, but they essentially 'radiate' from there, and ultimately, in one example, cause the path of a major storm to shift less than a single degree. But because of the distance this storm travels, that tiny change in direction causes the storm to make landfall MILES from where it otherwise would.

Does that sound silly? Don't laugh so fast. Watch the weather report sometime. How accurate is it? They can get close sometimes. Other times, storms will form completely unexpectedly or dissipate when disaster is expected. Everything in our world effects everything else in some way. It's physics really- energy and matter are neither created nor destroyed.

This butterfly effect, when viewed in terms of the many worlds theory, has the staggering effect of making simple choices have potentially enormous consequences.

Real life example: You have a choice between a red top or a black top when you go out one day. You choose the red top. That red top stands out a lot more than the black top does, and you catch the eye of a nice guy and hit it off with him. You end up getting married to him, having kids, and all that great stuff. Thats just the result of one simple choice.

In the many worlds theory, however, there is a you who chose the black top instead. You blend with the crowd more without that bright color to distinguish you, and the guy never even notices you. You're out the love of your life.

Easy choice, right? Wrong. In another world, the guy who you would have met chose to stay home and watch tv instead. That red top, instead of attracting the love of your life, got you the attention of a smooth-talking pimp who first gets you drunk, then gets you hooked on heroin, and forces you to work the streets.

What if not attracting attention to yourself means you finish up your degree, or at least finish it quicker, and the work you do, even just as a student in a research lab, leads to a cure for some terrible disease?


You can apply this to any kind of choice, which is why I adamantly refuse to believe in the many worlds theory. Not because I believe it is wrong or right, but because I don't want to live my life in that mindset, second guessing every choice I make, and hoping that the choices others make don't ruin it for me. While the butterfly effect doesn't require the many worlds theory to 'work,' the only thing that would bug me more than obsessing over every little decision would be the thought that, when something goes wrong, theres some smug-ass 'other' me whos coasting through because the decision he made, without even seeing the long term effects, gave him a ride down easy street.
Chris Brogan 1283
Answered at 6:02pm on March 24th, 2009
YES! it is possible! ALL things are possible through the glory of GOD! AMEN!


pssssst -> It's a MIRACLE, just like the mystery of life! :D
Unknown Brain 1236
Answered at 5:17pm on March 24th, 2009
A universe implies that it is a singular entity in an area of space and time (i.e. our "universe" is approximately between 13.5 and 14 billion years old, and has been expanding since the Big Bang). As for Parallel universes or Multiverses, this is what Wikipedia says:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universe#Multiverse

Some speculative theories have proposed that this universe is but one of a set of disconnected universes, collectively denoted as the multiverse, altering the concept that the universe encompasses everything.[12][61] By definition, there is no possible way for anything in one universe to affect another; if two "universes" could affect one another, they would be part of a single universe. Thus, although some fictional characters travel between parallel fictional "universes", this is, strictly speaking, an incorrect usage of the term universe. The disconnected universes are conceived as being physical, in the sense that each should have its own space and time, its own matter and energy, and its own physical laws. Thus such physical disconnected universes should be distinguished from the metaphysical conception of alternate planes of consciousness, which are not thought to be physical places. The concept of a multiverse of disconnected universes is very old; for example, Bishop Étienne Tempier of Paris ruled in 1277 that God could create as many universes as he saw fit, a question that was being hotly debated by the French theologians.[62]

There are two scientific senses in which multiple universes are discussed. First, disconnected spacetime continua may exist; presumably, all forms of matter and energy are confined to one universe and cannot "tunnel" between them. An example of such a theory is the chaotic inflation model of the early universe.[63] Second, according to the many-worlds hypothesis, a parallel universe is born with every quantum measurement; the universe "forks" into parallel copies, each one corresponding to a different outcome of the quantum measurement. However, both senses of the term "multiverse" are speculative and may be considered unscientific; no experimental test in one universe could reveal the existence or properties of another non-interacting universe.
Sharyonda Yarbrough 1416
Answered at 5:14pm on March 24th, 2009
The movie THE ONE with Jet Li explained this perfectly... Take a moment to rent and you will get your answer.
Deepak Kotecha 1806
Answered at 3:33am on March 24th, 2009
A very interesting question. I have a split-personality opinion on this one. 5% of me says its possible to live in a parallel universe but not simultaneously - by day you are in one, and by night during sleep you are in another. That could account for weird things like recurrent dreams or deja-vu. However, 95% of me (based on knowledge of Hinduism) says multiple universes exist simultaneously but we can only exist in one at a time, and reincarnation can occur in the same or different universe. Think I'll go with option 2,
Unknown Brain 2031
Answered at 10:00pm on March 22nd, 2009
George's answer was definately right on target. A few interesting points to cover regarding quantum physics that have not yet been covered. We are currently researching dark matter. This is thought to be connected to the parallel universe theory. Time travel might not be possible without this being true.

The single universe theory is problematic for time travel as it leaves the possibility of disrupting the time line in the past, only to destroy the future.. thereby negating your ability to be there in the first place. Einstein attempted to prove that time travel was mathematically possible. It still leaves the what happens if you kill your grandfather problem.

With multiple universe's we can go right ahead and kill granfather... because now we simply return to our own original time line and universe, altering only the universe we left behind and creating another time line. The fact that we are not over run with proof of time travel itself (ie. your great grandkids coming back to visit you) at least tells me that either... A. We never develope time travel or man does not exist past this technology level.... B. Time travel backward in time is impossible (even a million years in the future for one reason or another... OR C. Time travel is possible but since there are a zillion universes out there... the great great grandchildren are simply visiting another universe and some other you is laughing all the way to the bank (kind of makes you wnat to slap yourself) :-)

Aside from the obvious implications (who would not wish to go back in time... and manipulate the stock market to ensure your family riches for a thousand years)... boy I bet you all wonder what you could have done if you had only known. Why then are we not all rich or runniing nations etc? Mankind has proven over and over again that he is unafraid of developing extremly dangerous technology or of keeping any technology he has developed a secret (see my other post). Therefore I have to defer to the scary fact of; since I, (and I bet all of you as well), have never seen our grandchildren's great grandchildren.. there is a high likelyhood we are not a time traveling society.
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