70 years ago, a doctoral student from Princeton University, Hugh Everett III, introduced the concept of a parallel universe. He believed there was another universe that was the same as ours and more universes branching off others. The scholar hinted at another world where they may be another you but with different attributes or personalities. Since then, the writers and producers of Sci-fi films have heavily explored this topic through works such as Spiderman, Doctor Who, and The Flash, thus making it even more popular. However, do parallel universes exist, or is it all just fiction?
Why There Might Be a Parallel Universe
Whether or not a parallel universe/s exists isn’t a yes or no answer. As such, this article will focus more on the possibility of the existence of a parallel universe. Everyone knows that the universe is extremely big. Scientists claim that trillions of galaxies may revolve around the universe whose diameter ranges from 93 billion light years to infinity. In such a huge space, it’s difficult to dismiss the possibility of the existence of another universe.
The Big Bang Theory
Scientists attribute the Big Bang to the formation of the universe. According to the theory, the universe was caused by a cosmic inflation where the universe exploded outwards. Only when this inflation slowed down did matter appear in the form of atoms, molecules, stars, and galaxies. If this theory were to be followed, then there may be other universes. Cosmic inflation didn’t stop at the same time in all places.
On the contrary, cosmic inflation is eternal and continues in other places. Therefore, there is a good chance other universes may have been formed the same way ours was. Given that this happens continuously, eternal inflation could be creating other universes as you read this article. The most fascinating part is that we can never reach or communicate with these bubble universes because they are billions of light-years away.
Quantum Mechanics
The other field of science that collaborates with the theory of parallel universes is quantum mechanics. It states that tiny particles can exist in multiple states simultaneously. However, humans can only observe one possibility.
According to this theory, there are parallel universes where a different quantum becomes a reality. However, these universes can’t intersect. Like all theories with strengths and weaknesses, the quantum mechanics theory of many worlds is not falsifiable. It’s impossible to find evidence supporting or disagreeing with it.
The String Theory
The String Theory by Michio Kaku also complements the existence of parallel universes. It breaks down the existence of matter and physical forces to a sub-quantum level that resembles tiny strings. The theory goes on to explain that the composition of these strings takes place in 11 different dimensions. So, parallel universes can exist simultaneously.
Space as we know it is infinite. The funniest thing about matter is that it must repeat a specific arrangement after a while. Hypothetically, matter may repeat arrangements that resemble our galaxy or solar system somewhere along the universe. This repetition is so unique that there could be another version of you in another universe who shares a similar birthdate and even birthmark.
The Complexities of Determining Whether a Parallel Universe Exists or Not
Researchers from the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics have developed another interesting study. They claim a mirror-image universe existed before the Big Bang and went in the opposite direction during cosmic inflation. According to these researchers, everything in the mirror universe is done in reverse. So, adults grow younger instead of older and eventually end up in their mother’s womb.
Whether there is or isn’t a parallel universe has brought on more complications than answers. For instance, if there are indeed many worlds, then concepts such as time could be completely distorted. Take the coronavirus pandemic as an example. In parallel universes, the virus may have been contained from patient zero, leading to infinite outcomes.
The other complications that sci-fi movies have created are the different types of selves in other universes. As a human being, you cannot feel or acknowledge the existence of another being, even if you are made from the same genetic composition.
The Key Takeaway
Everything that points to a parallel universe is hypothetical. Even though scientists have devised machines to detect quantum matter, there is a lot they figure out before making a conclusion. Therefore, the bottom line is that no one knows whether a parallel universe exists. The only thing people can do is speculate. We may have had an answer if Einstein had lived long enough to solve the Theory of Everything.