Work

Transient observers and variable constants or repelling the invasion of the Boltzmann’s brains

Year: 2007

Type: article

Abstract: If the universe expands exponentially without end, ‘ordinary observers’ like ourselves may be vastly outnumbered by ‘Boltzmann’s brains,’ transient observers who briefly flicker into existence as a result of quantum or thermal fluctuations. One might then wonder why we are so atypical. I show that tiny changes in physics—for instance, extremely slow variations of fundamental constants—can drastically change this result, and argue that one should be wary of conclusions that rely on exact knowledge of the laws of physics in the very distant future.

Source: Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics

DOI: 10.1088/1475-7516/2007/06/001

Author: S Carlip

Institution: University of California, Davis

Language: English

Topic: Cosmology and Gravitation Theories

Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: U.S. Department of Energy

Award: RESEARCH ON QUANTUM GRAVITY