Multiverse

Saturday, December 9, 2006
Multiverse?
Today I read an article in Times of India, Hyderabad edition, titled "Worlds without end" by a gentleman named Prashant Solomon, wherein he has waxed eloquent about the LARGER SCHEME OF THINGS. To quote him verbatim:
" As mysteries of the Universe unfold, it is important that we realize our place in the larger scheme of things. Just as we talk about being a part of the world, we need to remember that the world is only a part of a much larger galaxy, which in itself is part of a much larger Universe (there are more than 100 billion known galaxies and an estimate made in 2003 by Australian astronomers puts the total number of stars in the known universe at 70 sextillion or 70,000,000,000,000,000,000,000). There are now theories that even the Universe is only one out of many universes that make the multiverse - the supreme collection of universes. These other universes would exist in some other frequency or dimension and inter-dimensional travel could someday take us there....."
When one reads articles like these, especially when they are interspersed with technical jargon and quotes from Scientists or scientific journals, one is simply amazed, nay overawed.
But come to think of coolly, what useful purpose is served by such articles which highlight figments of imagination, wild thinking, fantasy rather than any researched and scientifically proven facts? Isn't it funny and childish that mankind should be encouraged to fantasise inter-dimensional travel (my foot) when we still don't have accident-proof travel in our skies and at next level into the space that we know of?
For the sake of argument if one were to concede that there do exist other universes, what difference will it make to the population of our world, earth? After all the multiverse, if it exists, will be of similar matter and similar space. Even if inhabitants of other planets, galaxies, universes are different from us or more evolved than us, how are we going to communicate with them and understand them?
For over 2000 years we have been digging up earth and fantasising that men and different forms of life evolved over millions of years, without any tangible proof or means of verification.
Isn't it better that scientific research is focussed on what we need in our practical day-to-day lives?
Thiruvalluvar, the well known Tamil sage-poet says, "There is no need tonsure the hair or grow it long, if only we can eschew what the world despises." Apparently this couplet seems to refer to sanyasis (recluses) who grow long hair and beard etc. or devotees who go to temples and tonsure heads in fulfillment of vows.
However, if one introspects at a deeper level, the poet in fact says that there is no need to imagine and exaggerate things or resort to the other extreme of not caring to learn anything at all. What one needs is a balance and avoid behaviour, conduct, pursuits which are not in the interests of humanity, which do not contribute to improving the life of humans.
12:48:59 PM
Posted By Tiara Nova Comments (1) Musings
Comments
K.Venugopal Saturday, December 9, 2006 2:07:14 PM
The article seems to suggest that we put a cap on our curiosity or shackle our imagination all because we seem inadequate in solving matters of immediate concern. Man himself being multidimensional, he will keep seeking to travel in various directions to satisfy his curiosity about what is and what is not. The only thing he must take care is that he is not fragmented by such attempts but becomes more wholesome. I would say, glory to man for his power to unravel truths, slowly but surely.