What Are Parallel Universes?

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Parallel universes, also known as meta-universes or multiverses, are a group of theoretical twin universes that coexist at the same time as our own. Parallel universes are said to be simple variations of our reality, all running at the same time in different realities. Parallel universes are not uniquely confined to the science fiction realm anymore; philosophy, physics, and even theology have theories about why multiverses exist and how they work. Parallel universes have often been used in fiction and TV programs as an explanation for strange phenomena.

Quantum mechanics, the science that looks for explanations to phenomena that cannot be explained by the regular laws of physics and science, has been studying parallel universes since 1956. American physicist Hugh Everett first formulated the idea of parallel universes to explain the theory that every possible outcome of every choice we have actually does happen. While in this universe you may choose path A, an alternate you will choose path B in a parallel universe.

Where and how parallel universes exist is actually the most heated source of debate. Some say meta-universes exist close to us. So close, in fact, that ghosts may be nothing more than people from alternate universes somehow slipping into our reality. Others postulate that parallel universes are infinitely far, way beyond the farthest galaxies. A third theory is that parallel universes exist in different dimensions, either lower or higher than the four-dimension world we live in.

While the idea of parallel universes may seem incredible, more and more scientists are buying into the idea of a multitude of universes coexisting barely millimeters away. A disturbing new theory currently being researched in several high-profile universities holds that the Big Bang may not have been the actual beginning of the universe. In fact, some scientists are now claiming that the big explosion we see as the origin of our life could actually be the result of two universes colliding, thus generating a new one. This revolutionary theory has been taken seriously by quantum mechanic scientists and is now the source of heated debate across the world.

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3
I am a high school senior, and i stumbled upon this article. i am wondering if this can even be possible, i mean multiple universes right next to eachother co-existing at the exact same time? why wouldn't we know by now? how do we not see hear feel or smell them? how can 2 universes colliding produce a new one? i am going to research this a lot more and try to understand what this means for us...
- anon31839
2
This is the first time that I heard of this topic and to be quite honest it seems rather far-fetched. It is however, being discussed in major universities and being taken very seriously by scientist so, who knows. Perhaps the proof of existence of parallel universes could tell us more about our universe or explain some phenomena here on earth. I really hope to find out more about this in the future.
- student246
1
I have been puzzled for sometimes on the limitations of the speed in our known universe and that according to Einstein theory on relativity nothing can travel faster than light. However since starting reading more about parallel universes, our limitation to three dimensional world and way of thinking that has almost been forcing us to limit ourselves in the way we look at the universe and realities. Since there has been more about 11 dimensional universes, well almost anything can happen. I'd love to know more about possible physical laws that actually can contradict each other and break every possible rules.
- darkmatter

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