Why am I in this world and not another? Why does the universe appear random?

Why am I in this world and  not another?


Why does the universe appear random?

These are really the same questions. Consider, for a moment, this
analogy:

Suppose Fred has his brain divided in two and transplanted into two
different cloned bodies (this is a gedanken operation! [*]). Let's
further suppose that each half-brain regenerates to full functionality
and call the resultant individuals Fred-Left and Fred-Right. Fred-Left
can ask, why did I end up as Fred-Left? Similarly Fred-Right can ask,
why did I end up as Fred-Right? The only answer possible is that there
was no reason. From Fred's point of view it is a subjectively
random choice which individual "Fred" ends up as. To the surgeon the
whole process is deterministic. To both the Freds it seems random.

Same with many-worlds. There was no reason "why" you ended up in this
world, rather than another - you end up in all the quantum worlds. It
is a subjectively random choice, an artefact of your brain and
consciousness being split, along with the rest of the world, that makes
our experiences seem random. The universe is, in effect, performing
umpteen split-brain operations on us all the time. The randomness
apparent in nature is a consequence of the continual splitting into
mutually unobservable worlds.

(See "How do probabilities emerge within many-worlds?" for how the
subjective randomness is moderated by the usual probabilistic laws of
QM.)

[*] Split brain experiments were performed on epileptic patients
(severing the corpus callosum, one of the pathways connecting the
cerebral hemispheres, moderated epileptic attacks). Complete
hemispherical separation was discontinued when testing of the patients
revealed the presence of two distinct consciousnesses in the same skull.
So this analogy is only partly imaginary.

Why am I in this world and not another? Why does the universe appear random?

Why am I in this world and not another?
Why does the universe appear random?

These are really the same questions. Consider, for a moment, this analogy:

Suppose Fred has his brain divided in two and transplanted into two different cloned bodies (this is a gedanken operation! [*]). Let's further suppose that each half-brain regenerates to full functionality and call the resultant individuals Fred-Left and Fred-Right. Fred-Left can ask, why did I end up as Fred-Left? Similarly Fred-Right can ask, why did I end up as Fred-Right? The only answer possible is that there was no reason. From Fred's point of view it is a subjectively random choice which individual "Fred" ends up as. To the surgeon the whole process is deterministic. To both the Freds it seems random.

Same with many-worlds. There was no reason "why" you ended up in this world, rather than another - you end up in all the quantum worlds. It is a subjectively random choice, an artefact of your brain and consciousness being split, along with the rest of the world, that makes our experiences seem random. The universe is, in effect, performing umpteen split-brain operations on us all the time. The randomness apparent in nature is a consequence of the continual splitting into mutually unobservable worlds.

(See "How do probabilities emerge within many-worlds?" for how the subjective randomness is moderated by the usual probabilistic laws of QM.)

[*] Split brain experiments were performed on epileptic patients (severing the corpus callosum, one of the pathways connecting the cerebral hemispheres, moderated epileptic attacks). Complete hemispherical separation was discontinued when testing of the patients revealed the presence of two distinct consciousnesses in the same skull. So this analogy is only partly imaginary.

A Girls' Night IN Spirituality

Exogeny Network presents A Girls' Night IN Spirituality

Tuesday, 08/19/08, from 7-9 Central, Gia Scott's Dawn of Shades which airs on the UFO Paranormal Radio Network, will air a panel discussion featuring Vaishali, Julia Cole, November Hanson, and Gia Scott as they discuss spirituality from a feminine perspective. While all four of these women are "regular people", they have many differences as well. The only common factor between the four women's daily lives is that they each are a host on an internet-based radio program. This should be a very interesting program as the four women each presents their point of view while interacting with the audience via the virtual auditorium and toll free telephone line. More information about the program can be found at http://exogenynetwork.com/agirlsnightinspirituality.aspx


In the near future, it is planned to present a male version of this panel, using a guest host to replace Gia Scott