Cosmological Confusions

Last night on the radio he asked us a question.

Hard to believe it's all happening behind
these innocent clouds.

Do you believe in parallel universes?

Well, Professor Cox, this is my answer:

My brain is very small.

It can’t conceive of infinity,

Nor black holes that suck and distort matter.

It is so small that some thoughts make it panic.

Like the one about the Big Bang

The way it expanded the edges of the universe.

You see, if there are edges then there must be more beyond

But how can it truly go on forever?

And now you say there are parallel universes.

My brain is becoming clammy.

Does a parallel universe consume more space then infinity?

Steady on, Prof Cox!

You’re asking me to believe what I don’t understand

To accept theories without facts.

You’re asking me to have faith

And everyone knows that’s not science.

[BBC Radio 4, The Infinite Monkey Cage, with Brian Cox and Robin Ince]

I love listening to The Infinite Monkey Cage, even if I don't always understand it, but then Brian Cox could say anything and I'd hang on his every word!

[Writing Den Update: Mr A has finished the structural alterations and decorating that I blogged about here. The walls are a pink/beige liquer colour. We've ordered a beige carpet and curtains with a deep red flower pattern.  I'm searching for rugs and cushions to complete the deep red theme with a splash of added green and I hope to be working up there very soon! And yes, there will be an opening ceremony and photos!]

Turn it off!

They're talking about the beginning of the Universe!

Our galaxy in the vast Universe

Every morning we listen to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. This morning I heard them mention the Hadron Collider and suddenly realised that they were talking about the beginning of the Universe. I ran and turned off the radio. This is one issue that I just can’t get my head round. But it was too late because now I’m revisiting questions that are always lurking in that dark part of my mind:

• If there was a beginning of the Universe then what was here before?
• If we could travel and travel then would we reach the edge of the Universe?
• If there’s an edge to the Universe then what’s outside it?
• If the Universe was to be destroyed then what would take its place and how could there ever be nothing?

I do have faith in the beliefs of my religion but I still can’t work out all this Universe business. Is it any wonder that I throw myself into my writing? It stops me from thinking about these brain-exploding issues.

Is it just me or do other people have trouble thinking about this sort of thing?