Demystifying the Multiverse
In this section we discuss some misconceptions about the multiverse, often existing even in the scientific community.
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Demystifying the Multiverse In this section we discuss some misconceptions about the multiverse, often existing even in the scientific community.
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Scientific and Conservative
People sometimes say that the multiverse theory sounds “mystical.” This is probably because it talks about a very big picture such as outside of our own universe. Misconception !! The multiverse picture, talking about things like outside of our universe, is mystical.
The true situation, however, is the opposite. Suppose there was only one universe. Then it would be very difficult to explain miraculous features of our universe, such as the structure of elementary particles and the value of the vacuum energy, without resorting to some sort of creator. In the multiverse picture, however, there are an enormous number (10500 or more) of different universes, so some of them possess these miraculous features that lead to intelligent life, without a help of any creator. This, of course, does not prove that there is no such creator, but © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2018 Y. Nomura et al., Quantum Physics, Mini Black Holes, and the Multiverse, Multiversal Journeys, DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-41709-7 14
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CHAPTER 14. DEMYSTIFYING THE MULTIVERSE given that a goal of science is to try to understand our physical nature as much as possible without relying on such an almighty person, the approach of the multiverse is exactly that of science. More Accurate !! The approach of the multiverse theory is exactly that of science.
In fact, the logic that has led to the multiverse picture is a very traditional one in science. A progress in science, especially in physics, often occurs in the following steps. First, to explain known facts, a new equation—or theory— is written down. Then, by studying that equation, we find new phenomena that were not known before. Finally, by accumulating evidence for these new phenomena, we build up our confidence about the equation, and through this process the new theory is becoming a part of our established scientific knowledge. Two well-known historical examples are the following (see Fig. 14.1). The first is a story about relativity and gravity. When Einstein presented special relativity in 1905, this theory was not compatible with the known theory of gravity. (In relativity no signal can propagate faster than the speed of light, but gravity in Newton’s theory propagates instantaneously.) This problem was solved when Einstein replaced Newton’s theory with his theory of general relativity in 1916. This new theory—mathematically represented by the so-called Einstein equation—predicted new
Special relativity + Gravity
Einstein equation
Expanding universe Black hole
Special relativity + Spin
Dirac equation
Antiparticle
Quantum mechanics + General relativity
String theory
The multiverse
Fig. 14.1 The development of the multiverse theory in analogy with other scientific theories.
14.1. SCIENTIFIC AND CONSERVATIVE
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phenomena such as the expanding universe and black holes, which were not know
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