"Today, serious researchers even contemplate the universe being overrun by Boltzmann Brains- naked, free floating brains in outer space. Of course, the Boltzmann Brains are highly improbable objects, and there is virtually no chance that one has appeared in the 13.7 billion years our universe has existed. According to one calculation by physicist Tom Banks, the probability of thermal flucuations producing a brain is e to the power of -10^25. However, given an infinitely large space existing for an infinitely long time, these spooky conscious observers spring into existence. Today, there is a growing literature on the implications of Boltzmann Brains, kick-started by a 2002 publication by researchers Lisa Dyson, Mathew Kleban, and Leonard Susskin that seemed to imply that the typical intelligent observer may arise through thermal flucuations, rather than cosmology and evolution."
May add some context to those pesky UFOs and entities seen through drug experiences.
Boltzmann Brains
Re: Boltzmann Brains
See also
Can a bare brain twirl a baton? (Hint: It is not a baton)
- Entropy
Themostatics
Space vultures
Who me
Your brain on space
Mensa meat
Mind mining for fun and profit
Can a bare brain twirl a baton? (Hint: It is not a baton)
Re: Boltzmann Brains
The concept arises from the need to explain why we observe such a large degree of organization in the universe. The second law of thermodynamics states that the total entropy in a closed universe will never decrease. We may think of the most likely state of the universe as one of high entropy, closer to uniform and without order. So why is the observed entropy so low?
Boltzmann proposed that we and our observed low-entropy world are a random fluctuation in a higher-entropy universe. Even in a near-equilibrium state, there will be stochastic fluctuations in the level of entropy. The most common fluctuations will be relatively small, resulting in only small amounts of organization, while larger fluctuations and their resulting greater levels of organization will be comparatively more rare. Large fluctuations would be almost inconceivably rare, but are made possible by the enormous size of the universe and by the idea that if we are the results of a fluctuation, there is a "selection bias": we observe this very unlikely universe because the unlikely conditions are necessary for us to be here, an expression of the anthropic principle.
If our current level of organization, having many self-aware entities, is a result of a random fluctuation, it is much less likely than a level of organization which only creates stand-alone self-aware entities. For every universe with the level of organization we see, there should be an enormous number of lone Boltzmann brains floating around in unorganized environments.
In an infinite universe, the number of self-aware brains that spontaneously randomly form out of the chaos, complete with false memories of a life like ours, should vastly outnumber the real brains evolved from an inconceivably rare local fluctuation the size of the observable universe.
The Boltzmann brain paradox is that any observers (self-aware brains with memories like we have, which includes our brains) are therefore far more likely to be Boltzmann brains than real evolved brains, thereby at the same time also refuting the selection-bias argument.
Boltzmann proposed that we and our observed low-entropy world are a random fluctuation in a higher-entropy universe. Even in a near-equilibrium state, there will be stochastic fluctuations in the level of entropy. The most common fluctuations will be relatively small, resulting in only small amounts of organization, while larger fluctuations and their resulting greater levels of organization will be comparatively more rare. Large fluctuations would be almost inconceivably rare, but are made possible by the enormous size of the universe and by the idea that if we are the results of a fluctuation, there is a "selection bias": we observe this very unlikely universe because the unlikely conditions are necessary for us to be here, an expression of the anthropic principle.
If our current level of organization, having many self-aware entities, is a result of a random fluctuation, it is much less likely than a level of organization which only creates stand-alone self-aware entities. For every universe with the level of organization we see, there should be an enormous number of lone Boltzmann brains floating around in unorganized environments.
In an infinite universe, the number of self-aware brains that spontaneously randomly form out of the chaos, complete with false memories of a life like ours, should vastly outnumber the real brains evolved from an inconceivably rare local fluctuation the size of the observable universe.
The Boltzmann brain paradox is that any observers (self-aware brains with memories like we have, which includes our brains) are therefore far more likely to be Boltzmann brains than real evolved brains, thereby at the same time also refuting the selection-bias argument.
Re: Boltzmann Brains
In thermodynamics, entropy (usual symbol S) is a measure of the number of specific ways in which a thermodynamic system may be arranged, often taken to be a measure of disorder, or a measure of progressing towards thermodynamic equilibrium. The entropy of an isolated system never decreases, because isolated systems spontaneously evolve towards thermodynamic equilibrium, the maximum entropy.
In a physical system, entropy provides a measure of the amount of thermal energy that cannot be used to do work.
In some other definitions of entropy, it is a measure of how evenly energy (or some analogous property) is distributed in a system. Work and heat are determined by a process that a system undergoes, and only occur at the boundary of a system. Entropy is a function of the state of a system, and has a value determined by the state variables of the system.
The concept of entropy is central to the second law of thermodynamics. The second law determines which physical processes can occur. For example, it predicts that the flow of heat from a region of high temperature to a region of low temperature is a spontaneous process – it can proceed along by itself without needing any extra external energy. When this process occurs, the hot region becomes cooler and the cold region becomes warmer. Heat is distributed more evenly throughout the system and the system's ability to do work has decreased because the temperature difference between the hot region and the cold region has decreased.
Referring back to our definition of entropy, we can see that the entropy of this system has increased. Thus, the second law of thermodynamics can be stated to say that the entropy of an isolated system always increases, and such processes which increase entropy can occur spontaneously. Since entropy increases as uniformity increases, the second law says qualitatively that uniformity increases.
In a physical system, entropy provides a measure of the amount of thermal energy that cannot be used to do work.
In some other definitions of entropy, it is a measure of how evenly energy (or some analogous property) is distributed in a system. Work and heat are determined by a process that a system undergoes, and only occur at the boundary of a system. Entropy is a function of the state of a system, and has a value determined by the state variables of the system.
The concept of entropy is central to the second law of thermodynamics. The second law determines which physical processes can occur. For example, it predicts that the flow of heat from a region of high temperature to a region of low temperature is a spontaneous process – it can proceed along by itself without needing any extra external energy. When this process occurs, the hot region becomes cooler and the cold region becomes warmer. Heat is distributed more evenly throughout the system and the system's ability to do work has decreased because the temperature difference between the hot region and the cold region has decreased.
Referring back to our definition of entropy, we can see that the entropy of this system has increased. Thus, the second law of thermodynamics can be stated to say that the entropy of an isolated system always increases, and such processes which increase entropy can occur spontaneously. Since entropy increases as uniformity increases, the second law says qualitatively that uniformity increases.
Re: Boltzmann Brains
If a Boltzmann brain is aware of other entities, would it desire a body or other features?
Re: Boltzmann Brains
As long as it's fun... I can't see them acquiring anything for pain. That may be why pain is kind of liberating.
Re: Boltzmann Brains
Hopefully it hasn't invented the bicycle but has invented radar or sonar. Boltzmann bat.Royal wrote:As long as it's fun... I can't see them acquiring anything for pain.
Might be what it wouldn't invent any protection. It's a ball in pin ball machine called the universe.That may be why pain is kind of liberating.
Re: Boltzmann Brains
QUERY("SELECT FROM simulations WHERE entity_primary_spoken = "yes, little gamer, yes, of course you do")
One result(s) returned
replay_simulation_event(389948322256.498673264.36889.323211.3456)