DÉJÀ VU DEJA VU1
Universe! Can you imagine it? An expanse with no end? And if there were a boundary, a terminus, what would it be like? Made of what material? What would lie beyond it? Nothing, of course…because, by definition, the boundary…the end…would be the…end! But…nothing? What is “nothing?” Well, he thought, he had the answer. Finally, he had arrived at the answer.2
He paused before setting his thesis down…to reflect: The Earth…some eight thousand miles in diameter; the Sun, our nearest star, some 800,000 miles across the middle. He puffed on his pipe and watched the smoke dissipate into nothing. Nothing, he thought, the Sun was nothing compared to larger, more distant stars: Betelgeuse, at least 500 light years distant, Antares, the giant, Rigel, that blue brilliance. If Rigel were any nearer than its 850 light years we would never have night! And beyond all of these behemoths, beyond the galaxies and galactic clusters were the vast dark expansive reaches of space. But, reaching… to where? Reaching to what; stretches that would require light, traveling at more than 186,000 miles per second, billions of years to traverse? A puzzling conundrum, but he knew he had the answer. Essentially, it was simple.... 3
Two men, one standing in front of the other. The man in the rear tells the one before him to begin walking, in a straight line. “If you keep walking straight,” he tells him, “contrary to logic as it may seem, you will eventually come up behind me!” 4
“Impossible,” says the man in front. “If I never turn to double back, I can never appear behind you.” Of course, the man is unaware that the Earth is a globe and, as such, the first man’s statement is true. Similarly, it is with the universe. Again, the pipe. More smoke.5
Einstein posited that space is curved. What did that mean? How can you “curve” space? Well, he was not speaking of a vacuum or the “space” lying before you. Einstein was speaking of the space that comprises, the space that IS, our universe. Like our Earth, once thought of as flat, space itself, that which is the expanse of our universe, is curved.6
Thus, we can explain and understand the perplexing paradox as to how the universe is finite (confined and contained) and yet INfinite (boundless and unending) at the same time! Starting at any point and proceeding in a “straight” line, on a “straight,” unveering trajectory, the traveler would ultimately, after billions of light years, having reached the “boundary” of the universe, arrive at his very starting point…WITHOUT HAVING PASSED THROUGH ANY DISCERNABLE TERMINUS! Space, like the Earth, is curved!7
Time, also, like space, is infinite and boundless, with no beginning and no end. “ALWAYS” is the key word. Time, as well, is CURVED!8
The apparent “beginning,” the “Big Bang,” occurred following a compression of all matter into a kind of super black hole. Having reached a limit of mass, or “massiveness,” density, and unable to contain itself, the hole explodes…with such a force and speed as to occur everywhere at once, creating the universe as we know and can see it today through all of its billions of light years of space to the receding quasars at its boundaries. But ultimately, inevitably, the recession will slow and come to a halt, followed by a collapse. At that moment all the clusters, the galaxies and the stars will begin to fall in upon themselves, to once again be transformed into the immense force and density of that familiar black hole. The “hole,” of all matter…ALL matter, will become the identical point, that initial singularity it was in the “beginning” of time, until it can contain itself no longer. And it shall embark upon THE beginning again. Identically… everything exactly, exact in each detail, as it was before…and before that! We shall all meet again! Every event, every thing…the same, as it was before…as it ALWAYS was! ALWAYS has been! The smoke dissipated once more, filling the room with a sweet fragrance. He lifted his treatise which he knew contained the answer…the words he needed to prove his theory and began reading:9
“Universe! Can you imagine it? An expanse with no end? And if there were a boundary, a terminus, what would it be like? Made of what material? What would lie beyond it? Nothing, of course…because, by definition, the boundary…the end…would be the…end! But…nothing? What is “nothing?” Well, he thought, he had the answer. Finally, he had arrived at the answer.10
He paused before setting his thesis down…to reflect: The Earth…some eight thousand miles in diameter; the Sun, our nearest star, some 800,000 miles across the middle. He puffed on his pipe and watched the smoke dissipate into nothing. Nothing, he thought, the Sun was nothing compared to larger, more distant stars: Betelgeuse, at least 500 light years distant, Antares, the giant, Rigel, that blue brilliance. If Rigel were any nearer than its 850 light years we would never have night! And beyond all of these behemoths, beyond the galaxies and galactic clusters were the vast dark expansive reaches of space. But, reaching… to where? Reaching to what; stretches that would require light, traveling at more than 186,000 miles per second, billions of years to traverse? A puzzling conundrum, but he knew he had the answer. Essentially, it was simple…. 11
Author notes
I'm afraid many readers are missing something. They get so wrapped up in the brilliant story (lol) that they seemed to fail to realize that P10 is exactly the same as...P2 of the story. Deja vu? And had our narrator read through P11...(as P3...) and got through to P11 again...what do you suppose would happen? Simple? Or...think again! (and again...and...)
Meanwhile...there are readers (below) who seem offended at this piece and who seem to disparage those who expounded and developed the accepted "Big Bang" theory...which is, today, the accepted cosmological "model" of our Universe. I quote Wikapedia:
"The Big Bang is the cosmological model of the universe that is best supported by all lines of scientific evidence and observation. As used by scientists, the term Big Bang generally refers to the idea that the universe has expanded from a primordial hot and dense initial condition at some finite time in the past, and continues to expand to this day. Georges Lemaître proposed what became known as the Big Bang theory of the origin of the Universe, although he called it his 'hypothesis of the primeval atom'. The framework for the model relies on Albert Einstein's General Relativity as formulated by Alexander Friedmann."
This is in no way "bashing" religion...but merely a scientific, objective hypothesis which, should also not be trivialized nor disparaged and set aside.
GARY ALEXANDER
A contest entry
- Quantum Thoughts by islekine.
175 points, ended December 14, 2008, 8 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next story in this contest, remove from contest - Quick Sci-Fi by WritersEffigy.
120 points, ended December 15, 2008, 10 entries
Silver trophy winner
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350 points, ended March 21, 94 entries
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Silver trophy winner
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Comments
1 - 51 of 51
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space the final frontier
space the final frontier
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This leaves me to wowed to even speak. o-o
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This so cool! Good job.
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You are an extremely smart fellow and to all that have been “offended” by this piece, for (censored) sake grow-up. How can you be offended by something that is backed up with physical evidence and that is purported by the greatest minds our planet has ever produced and yet take the scribblings of a dated book written by far from infallible individuals that clearly had something huge to gain from their posturing as gospel?? Come on, grow up and start questioning, even if you retain your faith – and all power to anyone that can in the face of such contradictory evidence, you should not be offended by the musings of others. If anything, religious zealots are far more offensive than “big-bang” theorists, as at least scientists are attempting to understand as opposed to escape or control. How many wars have been fought due to frictions in science? Did Darwin ever gun-sling with Einstein? Declare a science war? Commit genocide in the name of evolution? Of course not, grow up and focus your energies productively….
Sorry Gary, this has turned into a rant more than a comment on your work. As always though, this piece is fantastic and I have leant much. Hmm procrastination in the form of Storywrite is taking on new levels…
Peace
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That was good!! I loved the idea of the deja vu thing!!! Great Job
Thank you for entering my contest!!
~Souls
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lol.This is pretty neat Gary. Reading your author's notes summed it up. I didn't notice the paragraphs that were the same.
It was great for the title. Nicely done.
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Ice...
Check the first two paragraphs and the LAST two graphs of the story!
Check the first two paragraphs and the LAST two graphs of the story!
Lol!
GA
GA -
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nice one. Wow, where's my mind for me not to notice that?
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make my head spin why dontcha?
lol -
"What would lie beyond it?" Multiverse! clap clap clap Multiverse! clap clap clap
Lol - great piece, you have summarised some very important topics very well.
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Interesting piece. I would disagree with the creation of the universe but that's a religious view
A theory is just a theory
However, your writing is as captivating as always
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I'm not actually sure if I've commented already but oh well.
I loved this story, because it's a unique combination of scientific facts and that element that makes it a story, something perfect for a geek like me! Thanks for the read.
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Hey now.
I never said yours was tripe. -_-
If you're going to be whiny about it I'll make a special contest and give you a medal. -
=____= woah. This made me think of the universe...which I've never given much thought (except when I'm bashing Aliens in video games).
Too caught up in my own little world...this is a nice trip! ^_^
EXCELLENT GA.
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I had to read this more than once because I, or my mind, became disentoriated with all the facts.
For a simplistic person such as I, with an interest in stars, planets and time, I found this to be an exhilerating read.
I enjoyed the persona of the scientist who at times (in my mind anyway) seemed on the verge of madness and yet at other times reminded me of Einstein.
I found nothing wrong with the writing but I do have a couple of generic questions.
I've heard about RIGEL but can't understand how, if it were closer, there would be permanent daylight. Wouldn't one side of the Earth be in shadow?
I'm a firm believer in the big bang and no doubt it could be repetitious but would the repetitions be EXACTLY the same with the same results?
Once again you have shown your knowledge on a subject with which I am but an enthusiastic layman and you have shown it with writing skills above and beyond my level.
Well done
PS: Come on! tell the truth - you're an alien really - aren't you??????
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Nice
I like this. However, I would have personally removed the last paragraph, as the repetition of a single paragraph would have served just as well to show the point and would have made it more concise and tight.
I personally prefer the idea of a multiverse, though I guess this doesn't actually conflict with that. -
*thinks* *thinks again* *Thi...* wait... I already did that...
A very interesting story. I love the way it repeats itself (great way to boost a word count
). Yes, a very interesting theory. Is it one you agree with? Or just came up with it for the sake of the story?
Mmm. Nothing helpful to suggest, besides nice work.
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Genius
You, sir, are incredibly clever.
You apply great irony by saying the answer was "simple." But that's not the only thing that's clever [I hope people can follow here] you say time is curved, meaning if one kept going in a straight line, they would return to their starting point. You then repeat P1 and P2 as if the scientist himself had returned to the start of his thoughts, further emphasizing his theory.
To top it all off, you title the piece "Deja Vu Deja Vu" hinting that perhaps it is the fact that time is curved that causes us to experience "Deja vu"!
I am either reading too much into it, or you are a master of double meanings.
Either way, it's a brilliant story.
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I thought your story was actually very clever. Of course, it is impossible to understand the nature of non-existence, because that would require one to step out of existence (which is death). The concept of the story made this a worth-while read. I also liked how you used purely objective facts in your story. Great job!
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Deja vu, all right.
The best case I've ever seen, matter of fact. It was kind of clever how you repeated paragraphs at the end, a little quirk that made the story somehow more likable. It read more like an article that would be in Popular Science or National Geographic, but interesting nonetheless, and a little bit brainteasing. I know you said you don't do a whole lot of science or science fiction, but keep going. This stuff is great.
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TOPS!
I thought this was a brilliant write and i saw the deja vu at the end. It was brilliantly done. This piece really inticed me because the stars and the univers are one of my hobbies. Although i don't understand much of it, I love to set my scope out and just gaze into the distance. You were teaching me a lot about the stars, galaxies and the whole infinate universe and i cannot understand how anyone could not be taken in and love this fantastic write. Some people don't understand anything outside their own little boxes and if it doesn't fit their own little way of thinking, then nothing is believable or acceptable. You took me on a great journey with you as this gentleman tried to create an answer for the universe...and he did...and he did! I often wondered, and still do about the end of the universe. It is said that it never ends. Okay, maybe, but where does it go? The whole universe is bent...Is there something on the other side of this bend? It is an interesting question and you pain a lot of attention to the answer given which i thought was just super in itself. I love your writing, how you give detail to what you're saying and not just saying without knowing. Sorry if i rambled on but this is something that really interests me. Thanks for such an enjoyable and thought provoking read. -
I think you just had sex with my brain and didn't cuddle afterwards. o.O
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Good. Sounds like what my science teacher was talking about to a handful of sleeping students! I think I was the only one awake! I love this stuff. Anyway, good story, and I like the loops!
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I love this...thanks so much for your entry!!!
I still have a hugh smile on my face...
This is well penned, I like your style!!! will have to read more.
Best wishes in the contest!
Write on and on and on...
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I often read a posted piece, read all the comments, and then re-read the work again; in this case, the comments almost make a companion piece! I just had to LOL at some of the comments, especially the ones regarding the protagonist deciding that the answer to the universe was SIMPLE -- don't people recognize irony anymore??!! Recapitulating his "answer" in the design of your story is a perfect demonstration of the "theory" -- which I assume was your deliberate intention. And this has nothing to do with discrediting beliefs in "God" -- any God smart enough to design the universe can make the design work any way, any time frame, that "he" wants! I've never been able to understand why creationists have a problem with evolution -- couldn't "God" have designed evolution??? Ah, I am rambling now, too. Back to the story: (first of all, it is a story, the action is all in the mind of the protagonist and the reader; and yes, the scientist is arrogant, but isn't he supposed to be? How can one criticize a literary character for being arrogant -- that's nuts! Like saying "Superman" is unbelievable... well, duh!) The plot development is also in the mind, as the scientist presents his theory. And as I already said, the way the story wraps up is a fine literary device, like putting a round frame on a picture of a globe. Very well done.
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I liked this very much; it brought up things that i think about on a dayly basis (is that strange? lol) How was the Universe created? The big bang? The way i understand the big bang a small "cluster" for lack of a better word, expanded into the universe or something like that. If there was no universe then what was this dense mass doing there, and how was it there? It couldnt just come from nothing becuase, of course, you cant get something from nothing so therefore it cant be possible. Scientist say that is the logical explination but they fail to explain how that dense matter got there.
If you think about it God is actully the logical explination. God, being God, can make anying out of nothing, anything out of anything; he is God. But for those of you disbelievers, you may counter by saying that, if you cant derive something from nothing, then how did God get there? Was He a collection of matter or some other sort of scientific mumbo jumbo or was he created by yet another god and if so, how did that god get their. Of course, there really is no anwser to this question that we being humans, can possibly comprehend.
Another question is how can the Universe be either infinite or finite. The way it seems to me is that for the universe to be finite is that it is contained, which brings up the question what is it contained within. If it is contained withing something else then it is infinite, therefore we need not question the possibility of the universe being finite.
Then comes the question how is infinity possible? How can something be so vast that it never ends. Im not going to delve more into this topic because i want to get back to the LSU game but Gary, please feel free to discuss this topic with me.
Im sorry for makin such a large comment, but i couldnt resist, and sorry for not orgainsing this more, but as i said i need to check into LSU, and these are just scattered thoughts.
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Wanted to make a correction. If I am able.
You state in your Authors notes that the Deja Vu happens in [p2] and [p11] the correction is it happens in [p2] and [p10] because your closing paragraph is actually [p11].
Proof would be : But, reaching… to where? Reaching to what; stretches that would require light, traveling at more than 186,000 miles per second, billions of years to traverse? A puzzling conundrum, but he knew he had the answer. Essentially, it was simple…. 11
I wonder if anyone actually bothered to notice that or if it was a mistake.
Regardless: It was an informational read. one that clearly provoked a lot of readers. Against the big bang theory which I had no proof of so I do not wish to believe either side.
You made your point.
Gathered your views and presented them in a way that caused a stir.
Something I like.
Thanks for the read.
G
Blair ~
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Blair is absolutely correct!
Because of the numeration of the title here, there was some confusion. But as Blair points out...P10 (not P11) is the Deja Vu of P2...and P11 is the repeat of P3. Mea Culpa for the confusion. And, I might also point out Temaria is Blair...and Blair, a very perspicacious character, is Blair!
Thanks for thinking about this and for pointing it out!
GA
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we lie in a lie and nobody cares. Give me science if i am dying, if not then bye
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Okay, I'm not quite sure what you are talking about. I'm bad in Science, but I believe that "Journey to the centre of the Earth" was based on the Earth, not the universe. And just so you know, there was never a "Big Bang". That was just something someone made up. I mean, the first chapter and verse in the Bible even says that the universe was created by God, not the "Big Bang".
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um, i hate to comment again, but that ending was sort of expected. especially with the title.
...
I mean that in a good way? -
Wow. This is...deep. And a very interesting hypothesis that I'd never considered before. I'm reading Carl Sagan's "Contact" right now, and this is an interesting compliment to the book's content, since now both works are in my mind. I love you your main character sums all this up as "simple"... Fantastic, yet again.
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Please read the Author Note
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Yes, yes, I did pick up on that
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Okay...no reincarnation. Do you mean that there is no beginning or end to anything, and there never will be?
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It's good to know not everyone spends their time contemplating the fluff from their naval. Actually it is difficult to imagine a total void as well as infinity. Rather like saying you comprehend heaven, or God.
Great piece that does stimulate and I especially love the last sentence... "simple" huh?
Jim
. Rewarded 6
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Please read the Author Note!
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I was a little confused until the ending, when i think I finally get it. Are you talking about reincarnation?
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To be considering and/or debating on if this is a story or not, is in a way irrevelent(sorry if misspelled) because this is essentially showing the more deeper philosophical aspects of the human mind in thinking where these 'boundaries' lay. Nevertheless I simply adored this greatly
. Rewarded 6
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Not a story.
Here is the comment you asked for.
As a story, this is boring. As a collection of philosophical reflections, it is fun, interesting, and it draws the reader in. The end is incredibly predictable, especially with the title, but if this isn't a story than the end doesn't even matter - the answer does.
I'm going to be kind and say that your character is extremely arrogant, to assume that what he's figured out is The Right Answer, that it's simple, that he's the genius. That he has the right to be as exited as he is for a theory he just essentially sat down and came up with.
Good luck.. Rewarded 8
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Please read the Author Note!
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REPLY TO ARMAAN'S "KIND" COMMENTS
My, my! Speaking of "arrogant!" You sound like such an angry guy!(person) Thanks for telling me this piece was not a "story." I really was unaware of that...and after teaching English and Communications at three colleges and universities over the years had no idea as to what elements constitute a Short Story...a novel, a poem, an essay or a piece of good humored fluff. And also thank you so much for pointing out the flaws in my major character, my narrator. By gosh, he REALLY thought he had the answer! Well,
A, we shall both have to retreat...back to the writing desk (I didn't want to say "drawing board" for fear you might point out the cliche)
and think this out again...anew...(like DEJA VU) I must also scribe notes to those readers of my mistaken masterpiece who preceded you... who may have been misled.
I appreciate the read and the caustic, somewhat acrid comments.
GA
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Really interesting to read. I enjoyed how thoroughly you explain yourself, it leaves no room for wonder about how else you feel. It's also maybe a likely theory. I'd be interested to read more about what you think. Great Job !!
. Rewarded 4
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An interesting theory. I wonder how many others feel and think this way.
Thank you again for showing me a little piece of your thoughts.
Brooke
. Rewarded 4
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wow! That was really amazing! Very well written!
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Again, well done.
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YOur thoughts are well-considered, and I enjoyed the simplicity of your explanation - you didn't aim to write "over the heads" of your readers; but you kept the sense of complexity in your theory. Well written. :
. Rewarded 4
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I think you have something here
I think your theory is very plausible. The story reminded me of a song by Harry Chapin called Circle. I think the lyrics fit your story.
All my life's a circle;
Sunrise and sundown;
Moon rolls thru the nighttime;
Till the daybreak comes around.
All my life's a circle;
But I can't tell you why;
Season's spinning round again;
The years keep rollin' by.
It seems like I've been here before;
I can't remember when;
But I have this funny feeling;
That we'll all be together again.
No straight lines make up my life;
And all my roads have bends;
There's no clear-cut beginnings;
And so far no dead-ends.
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Very good read
Hi Gary---Your educated rambling on the universe, is well done. I found it amusing and entertaining, an easy read, of a well presented topic.
On the down side and it wouldn’t be me, if there wasn’t one.
Your MC seems to come to the conclusion that the answer to the limits of the universe is SIMPLE. Let me suggest with a little candor, that there is absolutely nothing about the universe that is simple.
The universe is immense, dealing with distances which boggle the minds, of old puppies like me.
Discussing the very meaning of the term, THE END is rather complex in and of it’s self.
The end is nothing more than a full stop, a period if you like. It, in this context would be the ending of one thought and the beginning of another.
When we apply it to the universe, we could say if you travel in one direction long enough you will come to the end of the universe, but to suggest there is nothing else, is just not rational. The end of this universe could well introduce another universe, and another and another, until time and affinity.
It has been suggested that there is a parallel reality to ours, so it isn’t that much of a stretch to suggest that perhaps it exists in a parallel universe.
When we come to the end of our life’s, what’s to say it doesn’t signify the beginning of a new life, perhaps one in a parallel universe and so in a parallel reality.
The questions we can bring up and disuse about life and the universe in which we live are endless. The answers, if we ever learn them, will probably boggle our minds, but we will never able to say they are simple.
Talk to you soon---ablelaz.---P S Again nice story I enjoyed it.
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Oh, excellent! I loved it. I'm a fan of competing theories about the origin of the universe, etc, so this was fun to read from a studious POV as well as a literary one. Haha, I love the pipe; what a great addition to the story. Of course you had to say things worked exactly the same each time in order for your ending to work, but...who knows if they really do? I think they would not; too much uncertainty in the formation of the universe, but still. It makes an excellent literary device. Take that, scientists! *shakes fist-held pen*
. Rewarded 8
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OUTSTANDING!
Mr. Alexander, you have a most beautiful mind!
I enjoyed this immensely and the ending at the beginning was a perfect illustration of "The Answer"! And of course the very title is perfect, too. Please take a bow. You deserve it!
Applause.
Now as for things being repeated EXACTLY the same each time around, I say it's anybody's guess. If this "process" we call the Universe has any "consciousness", "intelligence" or "awareness", one might conclude, on the basis of the variety of life on Earth alone (seemingly composed of themes and variations thereof, to use a musical metaphor), that each time around things just might be done at least slightly different. Perhaps instead of life based on carbon, the next time around it might be based on silicon or on some other element. Perhaps, the next time around the laws of physics would be different. Who knows?
Anaya Roma
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