In a universe of infinite space and time, is it possible for something to happen once

Face · 12-07-2012, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiggums

The question is could something happen just once. Of course those things will never happen, but if they could occur once, why not twice?

To respond to your bomb argument, I would argue that (besides it being completely preposterous, and it could never happen even once) quantum physics is very different than our physics, and when something seemingly is empty, particles have been known to appear mysteriously. I'm not saying they pop out of nowhere, but they do seem to be formed in a matter by which we don't completely understand.

My answer to the question: No. If something happens once in an infinite universe, it will happen again. If you're sitting at the casino long enough, you're going to get a jackpot at some point.

The possibility of a jackpot ALWAYS exists by definition in a casino.

But lets say there is only one prize to win. You will win it, but after that there's nothing left to win, no matter how many times, you roll the dice, or get t a result that would've won you the jackpot, it's gone.

Replace the dumb bomb idea with one super-giant star in the entire universe. It goes supernova and collapses into a black hole. This is a one off event and will only occur once, infinite time and space won't change that.

HOWEVER, if you want to assume that more matter will spawn into existence, then obviously it could happen again, anything could, but then only one supernova will occur for each subsequent spawning of sufficient matter. But that isn't due to infinite time and space, but infinite time, space, and generation of energy/matter, which violates our current understanding of the universe.

edit: well said tore.