Feb. 5th: The universe is fine-tuned, new passion project, and more
This intel about the universe will blow your mind
Hello everyone!
The universe is fine-tuned!
This Saturday let's kick things right off with a fact that, even though it is obvious when you consider it, blew my mind away.
In the equations of the laws of physics that scientists have figured out so far, there are over twenty arbitrary constants. For instance, the universal gravitational constant, used notably to calculate forces that two objects exert on one another through their gravitational field, is equal to 6.674 × 10^−11 m^3⋅kg^−1⋅s^−2.
These numbers could have been anything, but every single one of them is within a bracket that garanties the sustainability of the universe. Take the inflation speed right after the Big Bang notably. If its value were slightly higher, the universe would have dispersed into clouds so thin it would have been impossible for any star to aggregate. If its value were slightly lower, the universe would have collapsed on itself again before life could ever appear. And it goes the same way for all of these constants.
So we can notice that the laws of physics are exactly right for stars, galaxies, and eventually human-like life to form. Coincidence? That's extremely unlikely. The most likely explanations are actually the following:
Our universe is part of a multiverse. This multiverse should contain a number of universes large enough that the probability for a fine-tuned universe to exist becomes significant.
Something or someone engineered our universe! That's right, it is a serious possibility. It is hypothesized that type IV alien civilizations on the Kardashev scale would easily accomplish such a prowess.
This second hypothesis corresponds exactly to what I got the idea of doing for project Their Silence, which is part of the reasons why I'm so ecstatic about all this. My story idea isn't so far-fetched afterall...
Why is it obvious when you consider it? Well because being within a universe that enables human life to exist, the laws of physics must necessarily reflect this reality, which can give the idea that nothing is a coincidence and support creationist theories.
This is another good point in favor of the idea that life is precious and special. Our universe could have been anything, but all its parameters are precisely what they need to be in order for life as we know it to exist. Life is not a random thing, it did require a proper universe among perhaps a multitude of them in order to come around. And if our universe is actually engineered, well, those who created it certainly valued notions such as life, creation, dynamism...
Everything is connected
Another quick note on some other striking fact I came across this week: did you know that space, time, matter, energy are inseparable from one another?
Empty space-time does not exist. According to the theory of General Relativity, space is just another feature of the gravitational field of the universe. Which means that space doesn't exist on its own, it cannot exist apart from the matter and energy that creates the gravitational field. Taking it the other way around, matter can be considered to be part of the fabric of the universe just as well.
I don't know about you, but I thought that the universe, the space-time continuum, was but a container for all matter and energy. It is an amazing thing to discover that both parts are actually a single whole. I mean, damn, we're not just inside the universe, we're literally part of it!
Back to the basics
I was hesitant to come out to you about a new pet project I have... I know I was working on a very serious debut novel project when I started this newsletter, and this would be the second new project I come up with in the space of a month. But. I can explain.
First off a few words about this new project. It is a non-fiction about a science topic I've been getting more and more into recently: cosmology.
To tell you the story of how I got the idea for it, I wandered to the bookshop a few days ago, as is not unusual of me, and I checked out the space sciences row, to see if I could pick a book that would help me figure out the cosmology of project Their Silence. I wasn't looking for anything in particular, but I could have used an easy to read, informative piece covering a range of topics related to the diverse cosmology theories out there. Of course, I did not find that book. On my way home, I realized that if I had such a clear idea of what I wished for, I could just as well gift the book to myself, by writing the specific thing on my own.
Ridiculous idea? Maybe. But by then I was enthusiastic enough about this to make it into a real project. Because I would never find such reference book designed for sci-fi writers, except if I wrote it myself; go through the right information, only what I need, and get the hang of it as I'm writing it down for a sci-fi writer, myself. Does that make sense?
If it doesn't, well, I actually have another good (in my opinion) reason for engaging into this project. It’s that, as I've come to realize, extraterrestrial civilization and cosmology lie at the basis of my conception of science-fiction. I can't seem to write anything really serious without having duly researched these topics. This is why I started project Their Silence, because I wanted to know possible intelligent alien life better, and it is why I feel compelled to research and write about cosmology now, in order to get a better hang of our universe's mechanics so that I can confidently write about it.
I would like to encourage anyone reading this to also listen to your inspiration, wherever it may drive you. Because it is a most great feeling when it's all coming together, when your work makes sense as a whole, as it all feels right, pertinent, and driven by the muse.
Thank you for reading!
I'm very thankful for your time and attention, it means so much to me... Special thanks as well to James L., who oriented me about the idea that space-time and matter/energy are connected, a fundamental fact about the universe indeed.
Stay tuned next week for more cosmology revelations, sci-fi writing tips, and things of the sort ;)