Re: Time without end: Physics and Biology in an Open Universe

From: Maurice Barnhill (mvb_at_udel.edu)
Date: 10/26/04 

Date: Tue, 26 Oct 2004 15:36:32 +0000 (UTC)

Michael Ragland wrote:

> Michael Ragland wrote:
> P.S. I thought I was alone in my belief intelligent life could modify
> the physical laws of the universe for its own purposes. Many may
> strongly disagree with Freeman Dyson but I don't think anybody would
> justifiably consider him a crackpot.
>
>
> I don't understand this comment. Maybe I missed something skimming
> through Dyson's article, but at the beginning he says "Two assumptions
> underlie the discussion. (1) The laws of physics do not change with
> time. (2) The relevant laws of physics are already known to us." To me,
> that seems inconsistent with life modifying the laws.

Michael Ragland:
Yeah, you have to basically read the whole thing through in
context. I
didn't understand the equations so I skipped those but I already knew
from a comment by Hawking (which he appeared to agree with
theoretically) regarding Dyson's theory that life in infinite in the
universe.

One part of the article by Dyson states, "Weinberg has here, perhaps
unintentionally, identified a real problem. It is impossible to
calculate in detail the long-range future of the universe without
including the effects of life and intelligence. It is impossible to
calculate the capabilities of life and intelligence without
touching, at
least peripherally, philosophical questions. If we are to examine how
intelligent life may be able to guide the physical development of the
universe for its own purposes, we cannot altogether avoid considering
what the values and purposes of intelligent life may be.
[snip]

Maurice Barnhill again:
    Dyson states that he will discuss what life could do to use
or ameliorate the effects of the expansion of the universe within
the known laws of nature. As far as I can see he does just that.
  He never uses an equation that is changed from those we derive
from observation. 

-- 
Maurice Barnhill
mvb@udel.edu  [Use ReplyTo, not From]
[bellatlantic.net is reserved for spam only]
Department of Physics and Astronomy
University of Delaware
Newark, DE 19716

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