| Schrodinger's Cat, High-Dimensional Mathematics, and the Infinite Universe |
| It becomes easier, over time, to briefly apprehend the existence of higher-dimensional �superspace. Imagine, if you will, that you live in a two-dimensional universe. You have your 2D house, your 2D dog, your 2D car, your 2D bed, your 2D laundry, your 2D muffin tins� and the ability to look left, right, forward, and backward only. Immerse yourself in this world and imagine the concepts of �up� and �down.� Try to understand the presence of a new, theoretical axis that you can�t even represent due to topological limitations.
Now imagine the possible 4th dimension in relation to yourself. First throw out all that crap about time being the 4th dimension- you cannot move through time in both directions, so it is not a full dimension. Try to picture yet another axis in relation to the directions you�ve grown used to. It seemed much simpler when you could just scream �Look up, idiot!� at your hypothetical 2D self, didn�t it? The 4th �and higher�dimensions exist in tangent with our three-dimensional universe. However, only higher mathematics can deal effectively with them. Schr�dinger�s Cat Theorem is a theoretical application of quantum mechanics relevant to higher mathematics. It states that if a cat were in a box with a gun and the gun shot and killed the cat an experiment should be possible under the rules of our current understand of physical science that would determine when the cat died without ever opening the box. We�ll assume it�s a soundproof box, to preclude the solution �Just listen for a gunshot/Horrible Noise Only a Cat is Capable Of.� The experiment would chart the quantum processes and measure the phase change leading to the moment of detonation, thus giving us the exact time the cat is shot and killed. This can be simplified mathematically by constructing a formula that can be used to determine if the cat is alive or dead. However, due to a possible irregularity in quantum mechanics, the formula gives two different results for any point in time- namely that the cat is both dead and alive. Two theories abound regarding the meaning of this phenomenon. The first theory is that this paradox results from an incomplete understanding of quantum mechanics and all the variables involved. Proponents believe that, with time, it will be solved by sufficient advances in science and mathematics, much as Xeno�s paradox was solved by the discovery of limits, thus proving that we can, in fact, cross a room whenever we bloody well please. The second theory holds that this does not create a paradox at all. It states that there are two parallel universes set up by the options- i.e. one in which the cat is alive and one in which the cat is dead. In fact, new universes branch off whenever options are present, creating a near-infinite array of possible universes in which every possible outcome of every possible event is manifest. These universes would exist in the high-dimensional �superspace� tangent to our 3D universe mentioned above. The theoretical applications of this theory have led to the development of both Chaos theory and Superstring theory. While neither of these hold much value in applied physics, they hold great promise in the development of the �Theory of Everything,� a sort of holy grail of modern science that could be applied to any phenomenon to predict the ultimate outcome of an action before it is actually observed. Naturally, this second theory is rendered moot by severe application of the Laws of Causality because every atom and every molecule is under influence from every other atom and molecule, and since a decision to do something is simply a chemical reaction in the brain caused by physical stresses, each decision ever made was predestined since the Big Bang to occur in exactly the fashion that it did/is/will. Thus, multiple universes do not exist because every action happened just the way it had to and all choices are merely illusions designed to make us think we have more power and control over our fate than we actually do. |
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