Freethought & Rationalism Archive

eh · 03-18-2002, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by eowynn:
There is an interesting theory I have run across in relation to the Big Bang, which explains it without the necessity for a god at all-it is essentially a time loop. As we know it now, the universe is expanding and accelerating as it expands. It is theorized that one day the universe will either expend all its energy expanding and freeze or that it will collapse under the force of its own gravity. I favor the latter as it then follows that, after collapsing, the universe will explode again in another Big Bang. The theory I favor says this has been happening forever and is simply a time loop. There is no need for a creator.

That is interesting. Do you have any links on this specific idea? Wouldn't such a universe suffer from the problem of infinite regress?

Tim Thompson · 03-18-2002, 09:55 AM

This was already discussed in a thread that is still at the bottom of the page: "<a href="http://iidb.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=57&t=000120" target="_blank">Fairly Simple Explanation of the Big Bang Needed</a>". My suggested book is Weinberg's <a href="http://www.secweb.org/bookstore/bookdetail.asp?BookID=739" target="_blank">First Three Minutes</a>.

[Edited to add the URL for Weinberg's book.]

[ March 18, 2002: Message edited by: Bill ]

Francois Tremblay · 03-18-2002, 10:48 AM

Someone7, looks like not only does he not understand it, but he can't even refute it, so he has to do a mock-trial. Ask him to refute all the evidence first or formulate a comparable hypothesis, then maybe he would have a point.

Darwin's Finch · 03-18-2002, 10:54 AM

While you're at it, why don't you ask your friend what astrology has to do with any of this. He is very confused.

Godless Dave · 03-18-2002, 10:59 AM

The planets are moving away from each other? Sounds like this guy lacks a basic, I mean basic understanding of astronomy. See if you can buy him the boxed set of Cosmos from PBS Online.

MadMordigan · 03-18-2002, 12:45 PM

But the planets are moving away from each other.

Wait, they're moving towards each other again.

Oh oh, some of them are moving towards each other while others are moving away.

Damn, this orbit stuff sure is confusing.

General Zod · 03-18-2002, 02:14 PM

Thanks for the link, Tim.

eh · 03-18-2002, 03:19 PM

Hell, why not buy him some nice coloring books on astronomy instead? Other childrens books might be a help as well.

[ March 19, 2002: Message edited by: eh ]

Late_Cretaceous · 03-18-2002, 03:31 PM

The term "Big Bang" seems to create as much controversy and confusion as does evolution. Granted, it is not so simple that it can be delivered in a 15 second sound bite. However, the term Big Bang seems to be misleading (not suprising since it was coined derisively by a detractor of the theory - Hoyle in 1950). Ever notice how many people say "well how can an explosion create stuff", or "where did the matter and energy for the explosion come from". I think it should be called Cosmic Genesis, or something more appropriate and inspiring.

Bill · 03-18-2002, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tim Thompson:
This was already discussed in a thread that is still at the bottom of the page: "<a href="http://iidb.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=57&t=000120" target="_blank">Fairly Simple Explanation of the Big Bang Needed</a>". My suggested book is Weinberg's <a href="http://www.secweb.org/bookstore/bookdetail.asp?BookID=739" target="_blank">First Three Minutes</a>.

And my suggested book remains Brian Greene's <a href="http://www.secweb.org/bookstore/bookdetail.asp?BookID=186" target="_blank">The Elegant Universe</a>, which is more about string theory than it is about the Big Bang, but (in my humble opinion) Greene does a damn good job of showing just why string theory is so popular as the best potential "answer" to the question of just how we need to proceed in order to resolve the discontinuities between general relativity and quantum mechanics (among many other things).

== Bill

[ March 18, 2002: Message edited by: Bill ]

03-18-2002, 09:55 AM	#12
Tim Thompson Regular Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Pasadena, CA, USA Posts: 455	This was already discussed in a thread that is still at the bottom of the page: "<a href="http://iidb.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=57&t=000120" target="_blank">Fairly Simple Explanation of the Big Bang Needed</a>". My suggested book is Weinberg's <a href="http://www.secweb.org/bookstore/bookdetail.asp?BookID=739" target="_blank">First Three Minutes</a>. [Edited to add the URL for Weinberg's book.] [ March 18, 2002: Message edited by: Bill ]</p>

03-18-2002, 03:19 PM	#18
eh Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Canada Posts: 624	Hell, why not buy him some nice coloring books on astronomy instead? Other childrens books might be a help as well. [ March 19, 2002: Message edited by: eh ]</p>

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03-18-2002, 10:48 AM	#13
Francois Tremblay Banned Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Montreal, QC Canada Posts: 876	Someone7, looks like not only does he not understand it, but he can't even refute it, so he has to do a mock-trial. Ask him to refute all the evidence first or formulate a comparable hypothesis, then maybe he would have a point.

03-18-2002, 10:54 AM	#14
Darwin's Finch Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Gardnerville, NV Posts: 666	While you're at it, why don't you ask your friend what astrology has to do with any of this. He is very confused.

03-18-2002, 10:59 AM	#15
Godless Dave Contributor Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: With 10,000 lakes who needs a coast? Posts: 10,762	The planets are moving away from each other? Sounds like this guy lacks a basic, I mean basic understanding of astronomy. See if you can buy him the boxed set of Cosmos from PBS Online.

03-18-2002, 12:45 PM	#16
MadMordigan Beloved Deceased Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Vancouver BC Canada Posts: 2,704	But the planets are moving away from each other. Wait, they're moving towards each other again. Oh oh, some of them are moving towards each other while others are moving away. Damn, this orbit stuff sure is confusing.

03-18-2002, 02:14 PM	#17
General Zod Regular Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Mississippi Posts: 127	Thanks for the link, Tim.

03-18-2002, 03:31 PM	#19
Late_Cretaceous Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Alberta Posts: 1,049	The term "Big Bang" seems to create as much controversy and confusion as does evolution. Granted, it is not so simple that it can be delivered in a 15 second sound bite. However, the term Big Bang seems to be misleading (not suprising since it was coined derisively by a detractor of the theory - Hoyle in 1950). Ever notice how many people say "well how can an explosion create stuff", or "where did the matter and energy for the explosion come from". I think it should be called Cosmic Genesis, or something more appropriate and inspiring.

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