From: david@edenroad.demon.co.uk   
      
   On Sun, 23 Jan 2005 11:23:47 +0100, Laura wrote:   
      
   >> Actually, not really.  The universe is 13.7 GY old, according to our   
   >> best measurements, and will probably last indefinitely, although there   
   >> will be almost no more interactions beyond say  10**40 years   
   >   
   > That's if the universe keeps expanding at the currently calculated rate,   
   > which is by no means a certainty.   
   > It looks like it now, but that can change along with future discoveries.   
      
      
   Absolutely, and, frankly, I rather hope it does.  I'd much rather end with   
   a bang than a whimper.   
      
   >> Well, yes, it can, in the sense that it occupies all the time there is.   
   >> One definition of "eternal" is that there is no time when 'it' doesn't   
   >> exist, which is what Hawking is saying.   
   >   
   > Hmm, yes, but one can talk about the state before the big bang, only   
   > without using concepts of duration. A timeless state that could be   
   > called eternity. If I understand correctly, the current theory favors   
   > "quantum foam" as the phenomenon that got the universe started. Before   
   > the universe, there was quantum foam (and there still is), and time has   
   > no bearing on it whatsoever.   
      
   I still have trouble with that concept.   
      
   > Correct me if I'm way off, please - I'm no physicist, but I do find   
   > these things interesting :-)   
      
   I'm insufficiently knowledgeable to correct you; but have you looked at   
   one of the alternatives to the BB: Ekpyrotic theory. While you're   
   Googling, look up Lee Smolin, I _love_ his ideas of universe formation   
   from Black Holes.   
      
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