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Astronomy/Super organism universe.
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Question
Dear Philip!
Can we view the universe as an super organism (explain)?
Sincerely,
Max.
Hello.
No, the universe can't be viewed as a "super organism" because it has no organic attributes. It cannot reproduce in the sense of an organism, it does not "consume" or "excrete" in the sense of an organism. And it certainly has no metabolic processes or metabolism, as organisms do.
In addition, since most of the universe is in the form of "dark energy" - which has no attributes by which even ordinary matter can be compared - it is clear that it's futile to even attempt a remote analogy!
After all, how do you formulate an analogy (to what you know as a material organism or even "super" organism) when the basis for most of what you're talking about (dark energy) is beyond even the scope of your current physics to explain?
You can't!
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | First of all I would like to say how much I appreciate your time and patience in answering my question. It makes me feel good to know that there are people like you willing to spend the time to help people like me. Again THANK YOU and all the others in this group. I was disappointed that there was not a more active search for FTL events. Maybe the time and money could be better spent on other things. If we can't go FTL it's will make it very difficult to go to other stars (worlds). I'm getting old and had hoped that I might see some evidence that it would be possible someday. It does seem to me that, with a lab like 'earth /sun', someone would be at least looking. It has gravity and fire that sprays out all sorts of particles. But then we would never find FTL in our own back yard. Again, thank you for your help. I've got a few other questions that your response has given me the courage to ask. Don't worry I wont tell anyone you did it. Gerry McDaniel mcdaniel@iglou.com | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Philip Stahl
Expertise
I have forty years of experience in Astronomy, specifically solar and space physics. My specialties include the physics of solar flares, sunspots, including their effects on Earth and statistics as applied to astronomical investigations.
Experience
Astronomy: more than forty years experience starting with construction of my own simple telescopes. Worked at university observatory in college, doing astrographic measurements. M.Phil. degree in Physics/Solar Physics and more than ten years as researcher.
Organizations
American Astronomical Society (Solar Physics and Dynamical Astronomy divisions), American Mathematical Society, American Geophysical Union
Publications
Solar Physics (journal), The Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, The Proceedings of the Meudon Solar Flare Workshop (1986), The Proceedings of the Caribbean Physics Conference (1985). Books: 'Selected Analyses in Solar Flare Plasma Dynamics', 'Physics Notes for Advanced Level'.
Education/Credentials
B.A. Astronomy, M. Phil. Physics
Awards and Honors
American Astronomical Society Studentship Award (1984), Barbados Government Award for Solar Research
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