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Monday, 16 November 2009 08:20 |
- parallel universes provide an avenue for some sort-of time travel, as well as quantum phenomenon
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Quantum mechanics is open to many interpretations. Such experiments as the electron double slit experiment give results, which can be interpreted in many ways. One way is the Multiverse theory. This theory, proposed by David Deutsch, indicates that there exists a universe for every possibility. Every time an event could have more than one outcome there is a universe created for each outcome. In our universe a meteorite caused the extinction of the dinosaurs. A parallel universe exists in which the meteorite missed Earth, and possibly several others in which the meteorite struck another planet or was not formed at all. In a parallel universe Hitler did not invade Russia and consequently won the Second World War. In yet another, Elvis is still alive.
This theory explains the double slit experiment by saying that quantum phenomena are the result of interactions across universes. When a single electron passes through a slit it interacts with the electron from a parallel universe, in which the electron went through the other slit, producing the pattern. This explains the pattern produced by passing one electron through the slit at a time.
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- loops of time-like structure that form temporary universes, also called alternative histories
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This theory applies to time travel in how it allows for reverse time travel to accommodate paradoxes. When one travels back in time, one travels back into a universe created for the possibility of time travel. This universe runs in parallel with the universe from which the traveler came. Everything will be identical to the past in the original universe, and alterations will have the same effect as they would have if they had occurred in the original universe. However, because it is a parallel universe, and not the universe that created the traveler, the traveler will not be affected by any changes he makes. He could kill himself, his father, his grandfather or whoever, and while he is erased from the parallel universe, he continues to exist because he is not from this new universe. Thus no paradox is created, and only the destruction of himself by suicide or personal attack, or his time machine, could see him affected by the outcomes of his actions, and even then no paradox is created. This provides a method by which paradoxes can be avoided and reverse time travel allowed.
This theory has parallels such as the alternative histories approach. This theory allows reverse time travel without consequences by having the time traveler travel back onto a different timeline and thus is insulated from any actions which should in theory affect him or cause a paradox.
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