Have ever considered
the possibility that in the vastness of the universe, some atoms could just randomly bump into each other and form an actual physical object? Like a pear, dice, gravy boat or signed playing card?
No Jack. That weird thought has never crossed my mind.
Interestingly, such an idea is not impossible. The chances are ludicrously small. Practically inconceivable. But interestingly, not impossible.
I beg to differ about the use of the word “interestingly” there Jack. But do continue. You’ve clearly got something you want to get off your chest.
Thank you. You see, physicists have suggested that such random, statistical anomalies could happen. That the very creation of the universe could be the result of a practically inconceivable, ludicrously unlikely blip that brought enough matter together for a big bang and the creation of time and space itself.
You do realise I clicked on this expecting a blog about card tricks. You’ve properly gone off on a tangent here, I’m telling you.
Sorry, I’d best get to the point. You see, if all that is possible (albeit ludicrously unlikely) then it is also conceivable that a random bunch of atoms could bump into each other in just the right quantities to make a human brain. And that collection of particles would form the memories, thoughts and consciousness to believe it were an actual living entity. That the illusion of reality it would experience would be indistinguishable from the alternative.
I’ll be honest Jack, I’m not liking where this is going. I preferred it when you ranted about dogs, and pulling off a casino heist.
What I’m getting at is that you, dear reader, may be a “Boltzmann Brain”. An unlikely, but not impossible random collection of particles giving you the illusion of memories, consciousness, past and present. The possibility that such randomness has led your imaginary mind to invent this universe, this bat shit crazy universe, where you have stumbled upon the 13th best magic blog on the internet, is just randomness, chance and a statistical blip.
Are you telling me that I’m not real? I’m just a momentary, temporary collection of particles? And of all the wondrous possibilities, I’ve imagined this?! This!? And seriously? 13th best?! Are you shitting me?!
Statistically, it’s not impossible. In fact the ludicrously slim chance that you are a “Boltzman Brain” is actually slightly higher than the ludicrously slim chance that the big bang did take place and you evolved over billions of years. You are quite probably just an illusion of consciousness. If I may be so bold: you’re imaginary.
And yes, the 13th best thing surprises me as much as it does you. But it’s true. Look at this.
At least I think it’s true. It is of course possible that I’m also just a random collection of atoms.
Oh, almost forgot – book a magician!
