We scientists believe that the universe started in a cataclysmic event we call the “Big Bang” and has been expanding ever since. This is evidenced by the red-shift of far away galaxies and, the farther away the galaxy, the larger the red-shift. Red-shift is a phenomenon where light is shifted to longer wavelengths due to the velocity that a galaxy is traveling away from our frame of reference. [1] So will the expansion eventually stop or keep on going infinitely? The prevailing belief, and there is evidence to support this, is that the universe is going to keep on expanding. However there are two big unknowns: the existence and amount of “dark matter,” or matter that we can’t perceive, and “dark energy,” which is akin to negative gravity. [2] Dark matter would pull everything back together; dark energy would rip it apart.
If the universe recontracts, the universe dies by way of the “the Big Crunch.” Perhaps the Big Bang reoccurs and we have a cyclical universe, perhaps it doesn’t. If the universe stabilizes, it survives until all the stars burn out due to lack of hydrogen. If the universe expands infinitely, the universe dies by way of the “Big Freeze.” In the Big Freeze, matter is infinitely scattered, the temperature drops to absolute zero, and the universe is lifeless. [3] As it turns out, it will be billions of years before the universe’s fate is realized.
So what does that mean to humanity? The universe is estimated to be nearly 14 billion years old. The earliest bones found from the species Homo Sapiens are 195,000 years old. The genus Homo emerged about 2 million years ago. No matter how it is measured, the time of our existence so far is infinitesimal by cosmic standards. [4] Will our existence be fated to be a tiny blip in the cosmic scheme of things? Or, will we evolve into a race that has staying power in the universe and potentially has the ability to help mold the universe?
Dyson’s Eternal Intelligence hypothesis proposes that it is possible for a life form, suitably advanced and adapted, to persist indefinitely in a universe fated to the Big Freeze. They would survive by alternating between active and dormant phases. John Barrow and Frank J. Tipler (1986) “propose a Final anthropic principle: the emergence of intelligent life is inevitable, and once such life comes into being somewhere in the universe, it will never die out.” [5] Both of these hypotheses argue that intelligent life, suitably advanced, can survive the “Big Freeze” as well as themselves and random fate and therefore conquer entropy. Nicolae Kardashev invented a scale to rate intelligent life based on their capacity to harness the energy of their planet, their solar system, or their galaxy. [6] And James N Gardner in his book Biocosm, speculates that highly advanced beings may create universes as part of a multiverse, even having the capacity to design fundamental constants. [7]
So taking this all into consideration, the first thing that comes to mind is “are we the product of intelligent design?” Did ancient superbeings from our universe actually establish conditions that allowed life to be spawned on our planet as well as others? Or an even wilder idea: did superbeings from another reality create our universe and light the spark that led to the genesis of life? Granted, we have no evidence that there are such beings and if they did exist, they would be indistinguishable from gods according to our perception.
When conversing with a friend about these concepts, she reminded me that we are an egotistical species and overexaggerate our importance in the cosmic scheme of things. We dream of mastering our galaxy and even the entire universe when we have yet to demonstrate that we can successfully use the resources of our one planet without irreparable damage. We have not proven that we can coexist with others of our same species, especially if they have different beliefs, have different upbringings, have different appearances, or live in different neighborhoods. Finally, we have not proven that we will not annihilate our kind or even our very planet in our neverending quest to have more things, more power, more money…
Is there a way we can unite together as a species, act as a common organism, master our planet without ruining it, and eventually colonize the universe? Or will we become an insignificant event, an accident snuffed out by a cruel universe or worse, ourselves? We can choose how we treat each other and our fragile planet. It requires a decision to revere our fellow man and make personal sacrifices to do the right thing for mankind and the Earth, allowing our future generations to flourish.
We humans are wired to do the right thing. We have a disposition for empathy, love, kindness, interdependency, and respect for each other. Unfortunately, they are often overcome by anger, hatred, jealousy, and greed. Learning to control these emotions allow the positive ones to flourish. We have a disposition to take care of our surroundings and to revere nature. This is currently challenged by modern technology, the financial pressures to make ends meet, and the desire to have more and more things. Immersing ourselves in the latter prevents us from seeing the amazing things our natural surroundings have to offer. And in enjoying the amazing and each other’s company, happiness can be found, even if we forego luxuries. In the process, we have less of a negative effect on our ecosystem. “Think globally, act locally.” The little things matter: use a high efficiency fluorescent light bulb in place of an incandescent bulb. Buy an energy efficient vehicle and forego the SUV. Plant a tree – or two. Recycle, repair, and reuse rather than throw out and replace. Forego the most advanced gadgets and go back to enjoying the simple pleasures in life.
Finally, we need to live by the Golden and Platinum rules: treat others as we want to be treated and treat others as they want to be treated. Treat each other with empathy. Value, affirm, respect, and support each other. Love each other. Appreciate our differences. Get it together. If we unite as a race and take care of our fragile Earth, our world becomes a better place and we just may have a chance to further our evolution and our eventual impact on our universe.
[3] Ibid.
[4] http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/02/050223122209.htm
[5] See [2].
[7] See [2].
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