Parallel Universes: How to Embrace the Concept of a Multiverse?
Human thinking is vast and diverse, allowing us to explore numerous perspectives. But does this ability to think in different ways distract us from understanding the bigger picture? When the concept of parallel universes or the “many-worlds” hypothesis comes to mind, I find myself pondering this question. The idea of multiple universes existing simultaneously seems perplexing to many. But what exactly do we mean by “parallel universes”?
According to quantum physics, there are countless possibilities for any given situation until one of them becomes reality. Once this happens, the other possibilities disappear, making way for a single outcome. So, does this mean there’s no room for alternate universes, where the outcomes we didn’t experience still unfold?
There’s an analogy often shared: if someone points a gun at another person, a parallel universe could be created where multiple outcomes occur—one where the person is shot and dies, one where they miraculously survive, and another where they are injured but make it to the hospital. While the person dies in our reality, they might still be alive in an alternate universe.
When I think about this, my thoughts go back and forth. If quantum physics holds that the probability of an event continues until it happens, and once it happens, the other possibilities cease to exist, then how do parallel worlds persist? The idea of a parallel universe might only make sense if energy or particle-wave duality (which I believe is the foundation of energy) could somehow duplicate itself into different dimensions. However, this brings up numerous complications.
I’m not much into watching movies, but recently I caught a glimpse of Marvel’s Spider-Man on TV, which dealt with a multiverse concept. While it’s entertaining, it’s also purely fictional. The idea of Spider-Man existing in multiple realities is fun, but what about his enemies? Shouldn’t they also exist in those other realms, constantly opposing him? Though it’s just a movie, it raises interesting questions about how such universes might interact.
That said, I find myself often skeptical about the idea of many-worlds or parallel universes. If I exist in this reality and in parallel universes as well, shouldn’t the events in one universe affect the others? For instance, if I die in this reality without ever getting married, and my life ceases here, how does the version of me in a parallel universe continue to live, marry, and have children? This raises a complex question: what is “real” for those living in the parallel universe, and how does it intersect with my reality?
Even though I question the concept, I cannot entirely dismiss it. I do believe that multiple universes exist, not just as hypothetical possibilities, but as a reality we may one day better understand.
When we consider the Big Bang, which is said to have created our universe, it’s not hard to imagine that before this monumental event, a single particle could have split its energy, causing several simultaneous “big bangs” in different realms. This would result in multiple universes evolving similarly to ours, with versions of ourselves existing in each of them.
In conclusion, I think we need to rethink our approach to the idea of parallel universes. While I have yet to resolve these thoughts fully, I’ll explore this concept more deeply in future discussions.
Read More: Quantum Patterns: Can We Predict Events in Quantum Physics?
