The Origin, Evolution, and Future End of Our Universe
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The most surprising phenomena of evolution –
material, natural, and mental
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The beginning of our universe, as so well described in the scientific literature, occurred in an instant of a transcendental release of energy some 13.4 billion years ago and can be called the fundamental or first surprise of existence. That original energy was a complex “field phenomenon” – the beginning of electric, magnetic, gravitational, or “Higgs” fields. What are “fields” in the nothingness of only thereby originating space? By being a “field” phenomenon, the origin of existence presents itself as a totally “abstract” phenomenon – beyond explanation of being what, why then, and why there.
We learned that, within a short time (a mysterious inflation included), a large variety of subatomic particles originated (“bosons” and “fermions”), and, out of those, the world we now observe. This granulation of the original existence is the second fundamental surprise of the origin of existence. This granulation is consistent with the “quantum” structure of energy – and of all of physical existence, also of time – meaning that those parameters cannot vary smoothly (in an analog way), but only a step at a time – including some uncertainties in observation.
When one throws a pebble into a quiet pond, this impact of energy causes one coherent and continuous wave to expand in all directions at uniform speed. When a grenade explodes, a wave of particles flies off. The origin of our universe, however, did not result in an expanding globelike wave of particles in all directions, but in an expanding cloud of dust. That cloud was not evenly filled with dust, but rather like a sponge in density distribution. This can be seen as the third surprise of originating existence.
What are subatomic particles originating from the original energy field? The modern “string theory” sees these particles as spinning pieces of waves – of pieces of that original field, each oscillating at distinctive frequencies in a number of dimensions. In other words, what we later considered as “material” existence is actually nothing but a phenomenon of field segments in space – whatever field segments in empty space are. Their appearance as “material” to us merely results from the various forces related to them – mutual attraction, mainly also repulsion at short distance, and reflection of light waves.
Several of the first subatomic particles where associated with forces – as if they were the essence of those forces – molecular attraction or repulsion, electro-magnetic fields, the inertia of mass, and gravity forces. The appearance of the forces acting within or between those original subatomic particles and the natural laws regulating those forces – including the so-called constants of nature, as the speed of light – are the fourth (and almost spiritual) miracle of the structure provided by the origin of our existence which occurred some 13.4 billion years ago.
These original “strings” or subatomic particles combined in various ways to form the variety of larger subatomic particles, such as electrons, protons, neutrons, and others. Those combined once more to form a variety of actual atoms, then molecules – and on, and on. In other words, the fifth surprise of our universe is the capability of those first and all later energy particles to combine, to “combinatorially” form a new variety of composed particle with new, “emerging properties”.
That next combinatorial step of evolution brought the formation of complete atoms, thereby generating the more than 100 “elements” discovered by now – with the many emerging properties of being gases, liquids, crystals, or more.
These were able to combine once more, into many large “molecules”, thereby forming substances – with such large differences as between water, various rocks, and gases.
The following very large and complex proto-biological molecules became the beginning formations of biological cells, then living organisms, finally the human mind.
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The original subatomic particles were directed or controlled by the forces which appeared with them – and by “principles” (as the conservation of energy and others) – and constants (as the speed of light and others). The appearance of the structure of these phenomena of original formation can be seen as the expression of the intellectual or spiritual essence of the universe.
The later found probabilistic effects of quantum mechanics on the subatomic level provide a window to some openness of evolution.
The fact that we can see and feel material objects results merely from the phenomenon that traveling light photons are absorbed, deflected or reflected by atomic particles (the optical differences resulting in our “seeing” something) and that such atomic particles show repulsive forces keeping other particles at a distance (resulting in our “feeling” something) – all merely aspects of those abstract “field” effects in space.
In other words, we human beings can be understood as ultimately being nothing but unique accumulations of structured field effects – originating from ever more complex combinatorially occurring field complexes in space and time.
From a certain level of combinatorial composition on, these complexes of, at first subatomic particles, later naturally evolving organisms, began to acquire the capability for “consciousness” – provided by memory and intelligence combined with value-assessing “emotions” – for being aware of themselves and of the surrounding world – and feeling joy, love, fear, loneliness, or enjoying beauty!
An insect cleaning its wings or flying away when a shadow approaches – or a dog scratching where it itches – are showing some consciousness of themselves and of the surrounding world. But humans can observe the universe through telescopes and material or natural existence through microscopes – then using the variety of sciences to gain ever more understanding – and the variety of technologies for accomplishing change. Thus, humans became expressions of the origin where the existence (or the universe) observes itself – and acts upon itself – in whatever limited form. Thus, the appearance of consciousness with the new dimension of value assessing emotions constitutes the sixth, possibly the greatest fundamental surprise of the origin of existence!
Upon our death, this composition forming our personal “existence” simply falls apart again – our mind with all its acquired capabilities and our consciousness disappear – the large organic molecules fall apart – but the smaller molecules (mainly water), the atoms and subatomic particles merely disperse and continue to exist – to possibly join other organisms later-on – as they may have been part of others before.
Is the appearance of newly seeded plants, of new animals or humans after parental combination, in ever fresh youthfulness after birth, another, the seventh miracle of existence?
On the other hand, the observation lets death, the ultimate destruction of everything, in an astronomic, geological, or natural sense, appear as the final, the eighths mystery of our existence.
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Pre-biotic molecules most likely formed on dust layers of icy comets in outer space over long periods of time, prior to the appearance of Earth. Once Earth had formed, such molecules riding on comets could reach the oceans on Earth (or other planets). Especially in shallow waters or in the hot-spots deep under the surface of the oceans they found ideal conditions for further astounding steps of evolution, leading to the beginning of self-replication – what became life – and the formation of cells.
A cell can replicate by splitting. A long stem of 1-dimensional algae ca n replicate by parallel copying. The copying of 2-dimensional surfaces was discovered only by humans with printing and embossing (or by growing organisms periodically molting, skinning or changing their crust, as crabs and lobsters). 3-dimensional organisms cannot simply duplicate in space. It was the arrival of replicating strings of RNA and DNA in the living cells on Earth, giving subsequent expression to cells dependent upon their location in the organism, which allowed reproduction of organisms. How was or will this replication problem be solved on other celestial bodies in the universe?
The living phase of our existence, “nature”, brought the various new principles of natural evolution, as discovered by Wallace and Darwin. They mainly include over-multiplication, statistical variations of characteristics, and selection of the fittest – in the pervasive struggle against starvation, mating competitors, diseases, predators, or environmental variations.
The struggle of life against life may have started already on the molecular level (as in the formation of only one type of genetic material, the RNA or DNA), resulting from competition for obtaining scarce materials. This struggle continued during the cellular and multi-cellular phases of existence in the oceans – and later on, as the struggle of trees against each other to obtain light in the upper canopy of the forests. The fittest prevailed – even if they were merely vines.
A new dimension of life opened when, some 500 million years ago, the increased oxygen content of our atmosphere led to a new energy cycle (beyond conversion of solar energy as by chlorophyll) in advanced organisms, based on energy derived from the oxidation (burning) of organic material. This required that those organisms had to search for organic material to digest, leading to mobility and sensors for guidance, and signal processing to connect the two. It also led to conflict with competitors – in search for food and for mating partners – and to defense against other predators. Much fighting began – and all of what we perceive as the great and pervasive cruelty on Earth.
The nerve cells were a critical “invention” of nature -- being especially long cells that formed along folds (as on a fetus) or on the surface of tissues and were then able to communicate over some distance from one end to the other. Interconnections of nerve cells gave rise to memory. Accumulations of nerves, mainly around sensors, led to brain formation. This gave rise to a totally new dimension of life in awareness, thought, memory, consciousness, and strategy formulation – mostly guided or rewarded by the summary “sensation” of “emotions”.
The evolution of higher organisms repeatedly led to the dominance of a specific category of those over all others – first the trilobites, then the dinosaurs – indicating a certain interesting instability in natural evolution. Such dominance was stopped repeatedly by immense catastrophes leading to mass extinctions, followed by a new dominating evolution of an even higher category of organisms – from algae to trilobites, to dinosaurs, to mammals. Where would evolution now be without those catastrophes? What will the future hold?
The next level of combinatorial evolution led to the formation of societies – starting from families to clans, tribes, and nations – now hesitatingly to the “United Nations” – all based on the fragile group of emotions of “ethics . The great leaders or role models of mankind were not the supreme intellectuals – whether as guiding empires or on Napoleonic battle fields, or in advancing the sciences. The great role models and leaders were able to combine ethical value judgments with their intellectuality.
Consequently, of special importance among the “emerging” mental phenomena of mankind facilitated by human society are creativity (permitting the “invention” of new concepts of thought or useful equipment – also weaponry), ethics (permitting the efficient functioning of life in groups – with anti-ethics leading to revenge), social hierarchies (providing structure to societies for coordinated action – or suppression), governance (providing guidance of societies – for better or worse), ideologies and religions (providing assumed principles of order and behavior – and mental constraints). The origin and functioning of some of these are not fully understood. The origin and the not always positive role of religions or ideologies need special attention. Their remaining value, justification, correction, or possible replacement is an important theme of our time. In sum, human mental evolution led to the often cruel but, in sum, upward evolution of our societies.
A unique “emerging” mental phenomenon is the emotional perception of beauty (or elegance) by us humans in nature, objects, music, or movement (also tastes and fragrances) – leading to the appearance of “art” – and joy about its perception. And how about “humor”?
In sum, the nature demanded need for personal development (mental and personality “growth”, rewarded by satisfaction), for ethical behavior (“service” to others and the society, rewarded by the warmth of human love), and the enjoyment of beauty (perceived in nature and art) became the guiding factors for finding fulfillment in human existence.
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In our lifetime, we notice a receding expectation and reliance on favorable natural evolution of mankind (if not one day by genetic engineering as in DNA-manipulation). More importantly, we notice a receding reliance on divine interference to direct events or human minds on Earth to our benefit or to prevent catastrophes. Thus, we find ourselves lost and left with our own thought and, mainly, with our own responsibility for the conditions here on Earth!
We face problems of goal-definition, action coordination and implementation. We would like to reduce the large amount of suffering to be found everywhere on Earth. We would like to offer better freedom or opportunities for personal development fairly for all – with the problems of goal-definition.
We realize that many problems of poverty and suffering are based not only on lacking opportunity, but also on inadequate education and lacking personality strength. We realize that many problems in the world are based on overpopulation, where traditional religions prevent practical control, and by inadequate governance – often being intellectually inadequate or corrupt – misled by dictators, selfish elites, or misdirected religious leaders – as in modern Muslim “jihads” – with drug consumption and trade being a special problem of our time.
Who will judge and how can the human community interfere to free us of such dangers of misguided guidance and “evil” power? How will “good” guidance and power be defined, found, established, and maintained? How will priorities for the application of limited resources on Earth be established? How will resources be protected and shared internationally?
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Existence on Earth is periodically threatened by immense natural catastrophes – meteors, igneous volcanic up-wellings, volcanic collapses, or plagues – each threatening much of life and possibly all of mankind with extinction. Some catastrophes will more likely occur sooner through human misguided action – whether through global warming or weapons of mass extinction (including biological weapons) in the hands of irresponsible groups or individuals.
In the end, in the distant future, we know that our universe will ultimately run out of energy and will lose its formation – ultimately collapsing into one or many black holes – which will dissolve over very long time periods into ever dissipating and cooling radiation in ever more distant space.
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Where are we now? A biologist may find an understanding of existence at a microscopic scale. An astronomer sees our universe in the multitude of galaxies in the depth of outer space. Let us assume that the universe expands at about the speed of light (which is questioned by various theories). With this assumption and by visualizing the size of our own galaxy, the Milky Way, as being merely the size of a pinhead, the whole universe would have reached by now a radius of only 135 meters (less than 500 feet). If 1,000 years in this image of the universe would be only 1 second of our human time, our universe had reached an age by now of only 4.5 months. Should one not expect that there is more to existence than that – alternative universes – before, besides, and after ours (if time and space is not restricted to and specific for every one of the universes)?
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The universe we live in for only the short span of our lives is grandiose, cruel, beautiful, final, and futile – which we sense as both, darkness and light – on the human level with hostility or warmth.
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What shall or must we do here and now?
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