Parallel universe Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description

A parallel universe, also sometimes called an alternate universe, is a hypothetical universe which exists separately from our own. Some theories of physics postulate the existence of many parallel universes, possibly even an infinite number. Depending on the details of the theory, these universes may or may not interact with each other. The word "multiverse" has been proposed to refer to the collection of all universes.

Table of contents

1 Everett's "many-worlds" theory 2 Parallel universes as an explanation of "fine-tuning" 3 Parallel universes in philosophy 4 Parallel universes in fiction 5 External links

Everett's "many-worlds" theory

Main article: Many-worlds interpretation

Of the theories of parallel universes, that taken most seriously by modern physicists is the many worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics, proposed by Hugh Everett III in 1956, or some minor modification of it. A champion of this theory is the Oxford-based physicist David Deutsch.

Parallel universes as an explanation of "fine-tuning"

The idea of multiple universes has been used together with the anthropic principle to explain why our universe seems fine-tuned for intelligent life.

Parallel universes in philosophy

Concepts related to the idea of parallel universes in physics exist in philosophy and theology, usually referred to as "possible worlds". See for example Gödel's ontological proof.

Parallel universes in fiction

Many science fiction and fantasy stories feature parallel universes. Distinguishing these sub-genres from alternate history stories is problematic, but one might confine parallel-universe stories to those in which at least two universes come into contact. An early example is H. G. Wells's Men Like Gods (1923). There are far too many such stories to list, but other fictional instances of parallel universes include:

• Murray Leinster's story "Sidewise in Time" (1933), showing different parts of the Earth somehow occupied by different parallel universes, was influential in science fiction.
• C. S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia (first volume published in 1950) featured three universes and a "Wood between the Worlds" from which one could enter any of a huge number of universes.
• The Star Trek episode Mirror, Mirror shows four principals translated into the "Mirror Universe" in which the same characters are present, albeit evil.
• Isaac Asimov's novel The Gods Themselves depicts scientists in our universe who find a way to "import" small amounts of matter from a universe having different physical laws, with unforeseen consequences.
• The television series Otherworld is premised around a family from our world transported to an alternate Earth.
• The television series Sliders is entirely premised around alternate universes in which the Sliders visit, typically, one new alternate universe each episode.
• The movie Donnie Darko, which has gained a cult following, deals with an alternate universe.
• The Doctor Who serial Inferno features the doctor travelling to a parallel universe.
• The Amber series also features parallel universes, which are called "shadows" of the one true universe.
• The acclaimed His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman features numerous parallel universes, a prominent example being a world where the human soul takes on a visible animal form known as a dćmon.
• The computer game, Half-Life features an attack of aliens from a parallel universe and dimension.
• The video game "" deals with the protagonist, Link, travelling to an alternate world to save the principal city from a moon destined to collide within 3 days.
• The game Myst has its background based on this theory. A people known as D'ni colonised Earth from another universe, and kept traveling to other universes (known as Ages) through Books. According to their cosmology, each universe is a leaf of the Terokh Jeruth, the Tree of Possibilities.

In general, most fantasy works feature an alternate Earth in a past prehistoric age that never existed (e.g., Robert E. Howard's Hyborean Age), alternative middle-ages, an alternative Victorian Era (Steampunk), an alternative 20th century or wholly different realities and planets (cf. Moorcock's Multiverse), Pratchett's Discworld and many more).

External links

• Max Tegmark's Parallel Universes paper (pdf)
• Many Worlds & Parallel Universes

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