Could the entire universe be a giant brain? This idea has been considered many times over the years, and there are similarities you might not have considered. Not only does the universe look a bit like a brain in structure, but a study by physicists published in Nature’s Scientific Reports observed that the universe appears to be growing in a way similar to a giant brain.
Structural and Growth Similarities
The cosmic web of galaxies and the neural network of the brain share striking visual resemblances. Both systems exhibit complex, interconnected structures with nodes (galaxies or neurons) connected by filaments (intergalactic matter or axons). This similarity extends to the quantitative level, as noted by astrophysicist Franco Vazza and neuroscientist Alberto Feletti in their 2020 study.
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A co-author of the study, Dmitri Krioukov from the University of California San Diego, said that while such systems appear very different, they have evolved in very similar ways. The result, they argue, is that the universe really does grow like a brain.
Dynamic Systems
Recent research has revealed that our brains undergo a daily cycle of expansion and contraction. During sleep, the brain’s interstitial space expands, allowing for increased cerebrospinal fluid flow and the removal of metabolic waste products. Upon waking, this space contracts again. This daily rhythm is crucial for maintaining brain health and cognitive function.
Interestingly, the universe also exhibits cyclical behaviors, albeit on vastly different timescales. These include the expansion of the universe, the regular pulses of pulsars, and the cycles of star formation and quiescence in galaxies.
Key Differences and Cautions
Despite these intriguing parallels, there are significant differences between the universe and the brain:
1. The universe is vastly larger than the brain, with signals taking billions of years to travel across cosmic distances.
2. Unlike the brain, the universe is expanding, and this expansion is accelerating.
3. The timescales of cycles in the brain (24 hours) and the universe (billions of years) are vastly different.
It’s crucial to note that while these similarities are fascinating, they do not necessarily imply that the universe is conscious or thinking in the way we understand human cognition.
Philosophical Implications
These similarities do not mean the entire universe is the brain of God or that the universe is thinking, but it is fun to wonder about the strange possibilities. If the universe is a giant brain, what is it thinking? Where is its body? Is it sleeping or awake? Is it aware of itself? Of us?
The YouTube video from “Dyslexic Artist Theory on the Physics of ‘Time'” provides additional interesting details about this theory and others.
Conclusion
While the universe-as-a-brain hypothesis is captivating, it remains a speculative concept. The rhythmic nature of both the brain and the universe highlights the dynamic, ever-changing nature of complex systems. As we continue to explore these parallels, we may gain new insights into the fundamental principles governing complex systems across vastly different scales.
If you want to playfully engage with this concept, you might say:
Hello Universe! Thanks for giving us this existence. Please keep the earth and humans going. We are big fans, well you know what we mean, we are small, but big fans of your big self.