From: hoppie@eboai.org (Tom Hopkins)
Newsgroups: talk.bizarre
Subject: ftsd - universes
Date: Fri, 1 Dec 2000 19:57:57 +0000 (UTC)
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"My theory is thus:  When a conscious being makes a assertion, the
universe splits into two identical states, save for the difference
that in one universe the assertion is true, in the other it is
false."

"You believe this happens regardless of what the statement is, even
ones that clearly conflict with the status quo?"

"Yes.  For example, consider the statement that 1 plus 1 equals 3.
Having been made, there are now    | Having been made, there are now
two universes, one in which it     | two universes, one in which it
is true, and one in which it is    | is true, and one in which it is 
false."                            | false."
                                   |
"But if that is the case won't the | "But if that is the case won't the
universe where 1 plus 1 equals 3   | universe where 1 plus 1 equals 3 
will have a sudden conflict with   | will have a sudden conflict with
the exising base reality?"         | the existing base reality?"
                                   |
"Certainly.  Within moments of the | "Certainly.  Within moments of the
statement being made, someone will | statement being made, someone will
discover it is the case, logically | discover it is the case, logically
conclude that 0 = 1, that distance | conclude that 0 = 1, that distance
is meaningless, and that universe  | is meaningless, and that universe
will collapse out of logical necessity."

"Fascinating.  If your theory is true, universe are popping up and 
winking out constantly, and we are unaware of it."

"Exactly.  There is no way to tell if you are in an unstable universe,
because as long as no one notices the instability it is of no consequence,
and once it is discovered it is fatal."

"A very interesting theory.  However, what happens in the case where
someone makes the assertion that the universe splits into two identical
states when an assertion is made?  What would happen in the universe
where such a statement is false?"

"Presumably there would be no more splits, no decisions could be made,
and the next assertion would lock the universe in an infinite state
of indecision


-Tom Hopkins