Interlude 15: Infinite Universes

How many universes are there?  The short answer is – who knows, it’s unknown.  Unknown because the term – “universe” is, shall we say, indefinite.  Related is the query; what is the meaning of indefinite?  Is it something that never ends, or maybe something that never began?  But if an entity never began, how can it never end?  Thoughtful people have struggled with this quandary for 2 to 3 millennia. 

Naturally, the ancient Greeks were the first to do so, most notably Zeno of Elea, a contemporary of Plato.  Using the tools of language, he revealed many paradoxes, but one dealt with infinity or the “many,” as he called it.  He reasoned that if there is an unending quantity of things, then there must be things both like and unlike.  But it is impossible for things unlike to be like, and conversely, for like things to be unlike, as he phrased it.  He concluded, therefore, that the “many” is impossible, i.e., that the concept of infinity is irrational, a nonentity . . . and rather mind-boggling as well.

The ancient Buddhists had a different take.  In their venerable texts, they broach the concept of “asanikhyeya,” which technically means “incalculable” and refers to the time the Shakyamuni Buddha (a kind of pre-Buddha) is said to have lived in the heavens before actually descending to Earth to become the earth-bound avatar of Buddha.  But then, they give it a value of 10¹⁴⁰.  And values by definition are limits.  To the Buddhist, the unlimited is limited.  And thus, we have another irrationality.

Since we are having a hard time with the notion of infinity, along with everyone else since the beginning of time, let’s try to define the word – “universe.”  What is a universe?  Mankind has reached out with his senses, his instruments, his vehicles and so forth, and measured our native Cosmos in many ways: size – it’s big, 91 billion light-years across, and its shape – it’s always pictured as egg-shaped, though in reality, the shape is amorphous.  The average density is 4.5x10^-31 grams/cubic centimeter, and oddly, from a distance, it looks like foam, what with the admixture of galactic clusters and voids.  The average temperature is – 454^o F, six degrees above absolute zero.  It’s a cold place out there.  And last, let's measure its contents; ordinary matter such as stars, planets, and dust comprise 5%, dark matter 27%, and dark energy 68%, I round off for simplicity’s sake.  And, let’s not forget its age; 13.78 billion years, give or take a little.  Somehow, that doesn’t seem all that old.  Question: how are universes created?  The Big Bang Theory is generally accepted by Earth scientists and most others as well.  The Continuum, at one time, had a place of residence, an enclave, in a genesis zone, whereby the members could occasionally witness the birth of universes.  They were very interesting events to behold.

But the original point at issue is; how many universes are there?  The “parallel universes” school of thought claims the answer to be – what else, infinite.  At every turn, they just pop into existence out of nothing.  Something from nothing?  The free lunch hypothesis.  Try testing that at your local bistro.  But to get around this violation of universal law, the new universes are said to jump into different dimensions or different types of space.  Finally, a glimmer of truth enlightens.  But what is space?  Of course, we all know the answer since we live in it, just as a fish knows water – because he swims in it.  But water is a compound made of molecules, and molecules are comprised of elements.  Is space comprised of discrete components also, like the elements in Matter?  And what about Time?  Does it have discrete components too?  Suppose you propose that the answer is yes.  The hard part is finding ways to test your thesis.  But you don’t have to.  It’s all been done by Those Who Came Before.  We don’t have to reinvent the wheel.  And the answer to the above question is – yes, many.  And how all these components interact has been figured out.  It’s called 6^th and 7^th level technology, and it’s all available to Continuum members when they are ready.

As we all know, the First-Born lived in bliss for a time, safely ensconced in their enclave in the Aether.  It was a better place for the aforementioned reasons, mainly – apotheosis – godhood.  But that all ended with the arrival of the “Others.”  An entity that deliberately sought their destruction and even the annihilation of their home cosmos.  A greater act of extreme malevolence cannot be envisioned.  But the Continuum members knew of many other universes.  And they knew where they were located too.  Oases in the almost unknowable vastness of the Aether.  Some went there, exploring and examining them for safeness, in their search for new homes.

Were they different?  Yes, because the fundamental physical constants differed.  Constants such as the speed of light, the force of gravity, the charge on an electron, and even the time constant – the rate at which time elapses.  There are 26 of these universal constants, and the right combination can induce phylogenesis, i.e., life – self-replicating, self-repairing, and self-aware sentient beings.  But some things remain the same in all places, like mathematics; 2+2 = 4.  This is an absolute fact, no matter where.  Why?  Because objects exist everywhere, no matter how bizarre.  And they can be counted.  But usually, in these other places, everything else was extremely different.

Back when the exploration of the Aether first began, traversing the Great Barrier was a major challenge.  More accurately, it was a monumental undertaking involving the entire might and intellect of the Continuum itself.  But it was accomplished.  Why?  Simply because they were curious.  Perhaps they were the first to do so.  Or perhaps it was forbidden by “the Others.”  No trespassing allowed.  The penalty for doing so is extermination, and not only of the transgressors but also, of all life in their home universe as well – an added kicker to drive home the point.  Unfortunately, the First-Born learned this the hard way, though most escaped.  Plus, they managed to save their home Cosmos in the process.  Big doings, but unknown to the younger civilizations, like us Earthers.

Many species sought out these different Universes, though their journeys were difficult.  Barriers had to be traversed, and native physical constants had to be dealt with.  Some found the task less difficult in the incorporeal state.  New beings were sought out and discovered.  And new enclaves were established.  But peace and security were not to be found.  Not until the big question was answered: Who are the Others?