LIFE, THE UNIVERSE, AND NOTHING

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LIFE, THE UNIVERSE, AND NOTHING
Life and Death in an Ever-Expanding Universe
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These are the tears of things, And the stuff of
our mortality cuts us to the heart VIRGIL
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OUTLINE
(1) A Miserable Future ? (2) An Uncertain
Future ? (3) A Future ? (4) Conclusions
(i) A Cosmic Uncertainty Principle (ii)
Life Analogue or Digital??
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Graduation Address (anonymous)
Things are going to get unimaginably worse, and
they are never, ever, going to get better again!
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(1) A Miserable Future
We appear to live in a Universe which is (i)
FLAT!
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(1) A Miserable Future
We appear to live in a Universe which is (i)
FLAT!
Einstein Expansion Rate Density
Curvature
?
R
8
G
2
p
r ( 0)

2
R
3
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(1) A Miserable Future
We appear to live in a Universe which is (i)
FLAT!
Einstein Expansion Rate Density
Curvature
?
R
8
G
2
p
r ( 0)

2
R
3
(CMB)
New way !
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COSMIC MICROWAVE BACKGROUND
dct J 10
Last Scattering Surface
t105 yrs T 3000 K
t109 yrs T 10 K
t1010 yrs T 2.735 K
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Angular Size of a Fixed Scale in Open, Closed,
and Flat Universes
First Scale to Collapse after Recombination
(distance spanned by light ray horizon size)
OPEN CLOSED FLAT
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COBE FIRST ANISOTROPY!
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(1) A Miserable Future
We appear to live in a Universe which is (i)
FLAT! (ii) DOMINATED BY THE ENERGY OF EMPTY
SPACE!.
Einstein Expansion Rate Density
Curvature
?
R
8
G
2
p
r ( 0)

2
R
3
(CMB)
New way
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(1) A Miserable Future
We appear to live in a Universe which is (i)
FLAT! (ii) DOMINATED BY THE ENERGY OF EMPTY
SPACE!.
Einstein Expansion Rate Density
Curvature
?
R
8
G
2
p
r ( 0)

2
R
3
(CMB)
New way
(a) rM lt r
(age, large scale structure)
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(1) A Miserable Future
We appear to live in a Universe which is (i)
FLAT! (ii) DOMINATED BY THE ENERGY OF EMPTY
SPACE!.
Einstein Expansion Rate Density
Curvature
?
R
8
G
2
p
r ( 0)

2
R
3
(CMB)
New way
(a) rM lt r (b) Acceleration!
(age, large scale structure)
(supernovae)
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(1) A Miserable Future
The Universe we live in is the WORST possible
universe as far as the (a) quality and (b)
quantity of life is concerned!!!
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(1) A Miserable Future
The Universe we live in is the WORST possible
universe as far as the (a) quality and (b)
quantity of life is concerned!!!
(a) Quality WHY?? To see what is in
front of ones nose requires a constant struggle
G. Orwell
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(1) A Miserable Future
The Universe we live in is the WORST possible
universe as far as the (a) quality and (b)
quantity of life is concerned!!!
(a) Quality WHY?? To see what is in
front of ones nose requires a constant struggle
G. Orwell
Objects at distances greater than some distance
D are receding faster than the speed of light!
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(1) A Miserable Future
(a) Quality (continued)
effects soon visible!
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(1) A Miserable Future
(a) Quality (continued)
effects soon visible!
ALL objects outside our local supercluster of
galaxies will become invisible - universe
expands exponentially - wavelength of all light
expands - R./RSupercluster 5000 exp (t/t0)
in 150 Gyr, redshift gt 5000 for all
objects outside our supercluster!
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(1) A Miserable Future
(a) Quality (continued)
Exponential growth is FAST -in 2000 Gyr,
redshift of all objects outside our local
supercluster will exceed 1053 ! Even highest
energy gamma rays will be invisible !
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(1) A Miserable Future
(a) Quality (continued)
Exponential growth is FAST -in 2000 Gyr,
redshift of all objects outside our local
supercluster will exceed 1053 ! Even highest
energy gamma rays will be invisible !
Rest of Universe will disappear!
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(1) A Miserable Future
(a) Quality (continued)
Exponential growth is FAST -in 2000 Gyr,
redshift of all objects outside our local
supercluster will exceed 1053 ! Even highest
energy gamma rays will be invisible !
Rest of Universe will disappear!
Empirical Knowledge Decreases if rvac/rtot gt
0.7 today, the in principle observable region
of the Universe has been shrinking since t lt 1/2
present time!
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(1) A Miserable Future
(a) Quality (continued)
Exponential growth is FAST -in 2000 Gyr,
redshift of all objects outside our local
supercluster will exceed 1053 ! Even highest
energy gamma rays will be invisible !
Rest of Universe will disappear!
Empirical Knowledge Decreases if rvac/rtot gt
0.7 today, the in principle observable region
of the Universe has been shrinking since t lt 1/2
present time!
FUND COSMOLOGY NOW!
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(2) An Uncertain Future
We will never know if we live in the worst
possible universe!
GEOMETRY ? DESTINY
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(2) An Uncertain Future
NEW RULES NO RULES!!!!
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(2) An Uncertain Future
NEW RULES NO RULES!!!!
1. If Expansion Rate gt0 when empty space
dominates it will remain gt0 forever, whether the
Universe is Open or Closed.
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(2) An Uncertain Future
NEW RULES NO RULES!!!!
1. If Expansion Rate gt0 when empty space
dominates it will remain gt0 forever, whether the
Universe is Open or Closed. 2. If present
observation is incorrect, so empty space energy
does not dominate, even if universe is Closed, it
may expand forever
W lt1.1 today Rmax- gt11 Rtoday
But normal energy density falls as 1/R3 \ if
energy of empty space is gt 1/1000 energy of
present normal energy density, universe
will expand forever!
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(2) An Uncertain Future
NEW RULES NO RULES!!!!
3. If present observation is incorrect, and
Universe is Open, need it expand forever?
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(2) An Uncertain Future
NEW RULES NO RULES!!!!
3. If present observation is incorrect, and
Universe is Open, need it expand forever?
NO!!!
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Eternity is a long time, especially near the
end W. Allen
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(3) A Future?
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(3) A Future?
CLAIM LIFE (Consciousness) CANNOT PERSIST
FOREVER IN ANY ETERNALLY EXPANDING UNIVERSE!
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(3) A Future?
1. THE ULTIMATE ENERGY CRISIS There exists only
a FINITE recoverable energy within the horizon
for any eternally expanding universe. (LMK, GDS
99)
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(3) A Future?
1. THE ULTIMATE ENERGY CRISIS There exists only
a FINITE recoverable energy within the horizon
for any eternally expanding universe. (LMK, GDS
99)
SURPRISE? Not in a universe dominated by the
energy of empty space finite horizon finite
energy. But, in other universes, we can see
forever, at least in principle.
Why can we not keep on collecting energy?
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(3) A Future?
1. THE ULTIMATE ENERGY CRISIS There exists only
a FINITE recoverable energy within the horizon
for any eternally expanding universe. (LMK, GDS
99)
SURPRISE? Not in a universe dominated by the
energy of empty space finite horizon finite
energy. But, in other universes, we can see
forever, at least in principle.
Why can we not keep on collecting energy?
Try it!
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(3) A Future?
Prospecting
Challenge The density of accessible energy
decreases as the Universe expands!
1. Prospecting for Matter Optimal Strategy
Gravity! --long range Problem Gravity loses
against expansion (i.e. structure stops forming!)
unless exactly enough matter to close the
Universe. In this case, gravity can keep
causing collapse on larger and larger scales, but
then we are doomed to ultimately find ourselves
inside of a black hole!
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(3) A Future?
1. Prospecting for Radiation Optimal
Strategy A Black Hole Collector Problem 1.
In order to keep collecting an infinite amount of
energy, Black Hole must be larger than our
horizon! (i.e. we must be inside of it..) 2.
How do you get the energy out? 3. It takes too
much energy to maintain collectors outside of a
black hole.
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(3) A Future?
1. Prospecting for Radiation Optimal
Strategy A Black Hole Collector Problem 1.
In order to keep collecting an infinite amount of
energy, Black Hole must be larger than our
horizon! (i.e. we must be inside of it..) 2.
How do you get the energy out? 3. It takes too
much energy to maintain collectors outside of a
black hole.
Solution?
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(3) A Future?
1. Prospecting for Radiation Optimal
Strategy A Black Hole Collector Problem 1.
In order to keep collecting an infinite amount of
energy, Black Hole must be larger than our
horizon! (i.e. we must be inside of it..) 2.
How do you get the energy out? 3. It takes too
much energy to maintain collectors outside of a
black hole.
Solution?
Live forever on finite energy!
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(3) A Future?
An Aside Finite information? The total number
of photons a detector with finite mass can ever
detect is finite, unless the source is finely
tuned to the detector. We can only ever have
process finite information about the outside
world?
controversial
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Living within our Means... Dyson 79,99
Assume LIFE consciousnessinformation
Assume life independent of specific metabolism,
a la Star Trek keep knowledge going as the
going gets tough.. (i.e. proton decay, death of
the sun, etc....)
Assume subjective time total number of
thoughts!
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Living within our Means... Dyson 79,99
TWO KEY FACTS 1. (Free) Energy, F, used to
process information is proportional to the amount
of information, I, and also to T, the systems
temperature. 2. Rate of Processing Information
Quality of life, Q(t). (For humans Q 1023
bits/sec) amount of information processed in
order to say Cognito, ergo sum
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Living within our Means... Dyson 79,99
TWO KEY FACTS 1. (Free) Energy, F, used to
process information is proportional to the amount
of information, I, and also to T, the systems
temperature. 2. Rate of Processing Information
Quality of life, Q(t). (For humans Q 1023
bits/sec) amount of information processed in
order to say Cognito, ergo sum
Question Can I diverge (i.e. eternal life) and
F converge (i.e. finite energy)?
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Living within our Means... Dyson 79,99
Answer Yes, IF T -gt 0 while Q ? 0
Life forms cool?
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Living within our Means... Dyson 79,99
Answer Yes, IF T -gt 0 while Q ? 0
Life forms cool?
BUT, life forms cannot cool fast enough!
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Living within our Means... Dyson 79,99
Answer Yes, IF T -gt 0 while Q ? 0
Life forms cool?
BUT, life forms cannot cool fast enough!
lose consciousness!
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Living within our Means... Dyson 79,99
HIBERNATION!
1. Q const while active, Q0 while
inactive 2. time of inactivity increases as
universe expands.
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Living within our Means... Dyson 79,99
HIBERNATION!
1. Q const while active, Q0 while
inactive 2. time of inactivity increases as
universe expands.
If length of inactivity increases as fourth power
of time or greater, F converges and I diverges!
Fraction of time awake t-3/4 Subjective time
( thoughts) t1/4
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Living within our Means... Dyson 79,99
HIBERNATION!
1. Q const while active, Q0 while
inactive 2. time of inactivity increases as
universe expands.
If length of inactivity increases as fourth power
of time or greater, F converges and I diverges!
Fraction of time awake t-3/4 Subjective time
( thoughts) t1/4
Question Is Hibernation Possible?
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NO!!!!
LMK, GDS 99
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NO!!!!
LMK, GDS 99
YES!!!!
Dyson 79, 99
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NO!!!!
LMK, GDS 99
YES!!!!
Dyson 79, 99
IS LIFE QUANTUM MECHANICAL?
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LIFE IS (ultimately) QUANTUM MECHANICAL
LMK, GDS ARGUMENTS 1. Standard Alarm Clock
Requires Energy! (infinite wakeups infinite
energy)
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LIFE IS (ultimately) QUANTUM MECHANICAL
LMK, GDS ARGUMENTS 1. Standard Alarm Clock
Requires Energy! (infinite wakeups infinite
energy) 2. Living Systems not in thermal
equilibrium ( probability of radiating -gt 0)
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LIFE IS (ultimately) QUANTUM MECHANICAL
LMK, GDS ARGUMENTS 1. Standard Alarm Clock
Requires Energy! (infinite wakeups infinite
energy) 2. Living Systems not in thermal
equilibrium ( probability of radiating -gt
0) 3. Alarm Clocks Fail! -gt hibernate forever!
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LIFE IS (ultimately) QUANTUM MECHANICAL
LMK, GDS ARGUMENTS (INTERIM) 1. Standard
Alarm Clock Requires Energy! (infinite
wakeups infinite energy) 2. Living Systems not
in thermal equilibrium ( probability of
radiating -gt 0) 3. Alarm Clocks Fail! -gt
hibernate forever!
ARGUMENTS (INTERMEDIATE) Alarm Clocks Quantum
Mechanical masses in orbit! collide,
reset
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LIFE IS (ultimately) QUANTUM MECHANICAL
LMK, GDS ARGUMENTS (INTERIM) 1. Standard
Alarm Clock Requires Energy! (infinite
wakeups infinite energy) 2. Living Systems not
in thermal equilibrium ( probability of
radiating -gt 0) 3. Alarm Clocks Fail! -gt
hibernate forever!
ARGUMENTS (INTERMEDIATE) Alarm Clocks Quantum
Mechanical masses in orbit! collide,
reset Quantum Mechanics DP R/d P... They miss
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LIFE IS (ultimately) QUANTUM MECHANICAL
ARGUMENTS (FINAL?) LIFE (i.e. computation!) IS
QUANTUM MECHANICAL a. Reversible computation?
(kT 0/comput.?) -gt inf. computations, finite
energy, entropy?
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LIFE IS (ultimately) QUANTUM MECHANICAL
ARGUMENTS (FINAL?) LIFE (i.e. computation!) IS
QUANTUM MECHANICAL a. Reversible computation?
(kT 0/comput.?) -gt inf. computations, finite
energy, entropy?
NO! Erasing costs kT at least! (Nirvana???)..
More generally....
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LIFE IS (ultimately) QUANTUM MECHANICAL
After computation -gt Lower Energy!!! BUT NO
Finite sized quantum mechanical system has
infinite number of states accumulating above the
lowest energy state! (i.e. there always exists an
energy gap!)
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LIFE IS (ultimately) QUANTUM MECHANICAL
After computation -gt Lower Energy!!! BUT NO
Finite sized quantum mechanical system has
infinite number of states accumulating above the
lowest energy state! (i.e. there always exists an
energy gap!)
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LIFE IS (ultimately) QUANTUM MECHANICAL
After computation -gt Lower Energy!!! BUT NO
Finite sized quantum mechanical system has
infinite number of states accumulating above the
lowest energy state! (i.e. there always exists an
energy gap!)
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LIFE IS (ultimately) QUANTUM MECHANICAL
After computation -gt Lower Energy!!! BUT NO
Finite sized quantum mechanical system has
infinite number of states accumulating above the
lowest energy state! (i.e. there always exists an
energy gap!)
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LIFE IS (ultimately) QUANTUM MECHANICAL
After computation -gt Lower Energy!!! BUT NO
Finite sized quantum mechanical system has
infinite number of states accumulating above the
lowest energy state! (i.e. there always exists an
energy gap!)
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LIFE IS (ultimately) QUANTUM MECHANICAL
After computation -gt Lower Energy!!! BUT NO
Finite sized quantum mechanical system has
infinite number of states accumulating above the
lowest energy state! (i.e. there always exists an
energy gap!)
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LIFE IS (ultimately) QUANTUM MECHANICAL
After computation -gt Lower Energy!!! BUT NO
Finite sized quantum mechanical system has
infinite number of states accumulating above the
lowest energy state! (i.e. there always exists an
energy gap!)
Finite of states available -gt Finite number
of computations... No place left to go....
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REVENGE OF THE BLACK CLOUD!
Dyson Make Life Analogue, Not Digital!
Infinite Number of configs. allowed even when
each component in the ground state -gt BLACK CLOUD!
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REVENGE OF THE BLACK CLOUD!
Dyson Make Life Analogue, Not Digital!
Infinite Number of configs. allowed even when
each component in the ground state -gt BLACK CLOUD!
T 1/L , v, p 1/L1/2 Information N log L vs
Quantum, N
L
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REVENGE OF THE BLACK CLOUD!
Dyson Make Life Analogue, Not Digital!
Infinite Number of configs. allowed even when
each component in the ground state -gt BLACK CLOUD!
T 1/L , v, p 1/L1/2 Information N log L vs
Quantum, N
L
If L grows, Information capacity grows, becomes
more and more classical....!
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LMK, GDS NO SILVER LINING!
1. level crossing... 2. More difficult to make
computations... most of them nonsense 3.
Decoupling of alarm.. ......
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LMK, GDS NO SILVER LINING!
1. level crossing... 2. More difficult to make
computations... most of them nonsense 3.
Decoupling of alarm.. ......
CAN QUANTUM LIMIT BE AVOIDED??
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LMK, GDS NO SILVER LINING!
1. level crossing... 2. More difficult to make
computations... most of them nonsense 3.
Decoupling of alarm.. ......
CAN QUANTUM LIMIT BE AVOIDED??
WILL LIFE ULTIMATELY BE ANALOGUE OR DIGITAL???
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IF Q.M. ultimately governs a universe starved of
energy consciousness will end for any eternally
expanding universe!!
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IF Q.M. ultimately governs a universe starved of
energy consciousness will end for any eternally
expanding universe!!
Physics, not Biology!!!
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Caveats (1) Non-Causal Processes
Wormholes... Quantum Gravity... (2) Baby
Universes..
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Caveats (1) Non-Causal Processes
Wormholes... Quantum Gravity... (2) Baby
Universes.. (3) HELL!! Huge source of
energy?....
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Caveats (1) Non-Causal Processes
Wormholes... Quantum Gravity... (2) Baby
Universes.. (3) HELL!! Huge source of
energy?.... Solace gt 1050 -10100
years... ........
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Cosmic Uncertainty Principle Need INFINITE TIME
to determine ULTIMATE FATE of the Universe, but
we only have a FINITE TIME left!! An
Eternal Mystery ??