Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site eagle.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!eagle!mjs From: mjs@eagle.UUCP (M.J.Shannon) Newsgroups: net.astro,net.sf-lovers Subject: Re: Quantum Universe Message-ID: <1320@eagle.UUCP> Date: Wed, 21-Aug-85 10:38:23 EDT Article-I.D.: eagle.1320 Posted: Wed Aug 21 10:38:23 1985 Date-Received: Sat, 24-Aug-85 03:26:03 EDT References: <696@inuxe.UUCP> <115@tekchips.UUCP> Distribution: net Organization: AT&T Information Systems, Summit, NJ Lines: 23 Xref: watmath net.astro:935 net.sf-lovers:9673 > > I've just read an interesting article in the August 3, 1985 > > Science News titled "The Quantum Universe : A Zero-Point > > Fluctuation?". In the article a Mr (Dr?) Don N. Page of the > > Institute of Advanced Study in Prinction N.J. is credited with > > the following observation: > > > > "Page estimates that the chances of 'The Creator sticking > > in a pin' and pulling out just this combination of qualities > > that makes such a unique universe are way beyond > > astronomical, 1 in (10,000,000,000)^124." A more interesting set of questions (to my mind, anyway) is, ``How many of those universes are stable enough to continue to exist for more than a nanosecond? A second? A year? As long as this one?'' For that matter, ``Are any of them as stable as this one?'' And, of course, ``What is the meaning of life?'' -- Marty Shannon UUCP: ihnp4!eagle!mjs Phone: +1 201 522 6063 Warped people are throwbacks from the days of the United Federation of Planets.