I found this great article in Scientific American magazine about parallel universes. The gist of the whole thing is that, logically, in an infinite universe, such as our own universe is postulated to be, the infinite must be possible. More accurately, the infinite must not only be possible, but must actually exist. This is to say that, in an infinite multiverse, there must be exact copies of you living on other worlds, living any number of permutations of your life. There must also be a planet dominated by monkey-people who wear kilts and speak Japanese with a lisp.
So that begs the question, what kinds of alternate lives are my alter-egos living out there? Not our kilt-wearing monkey alter-egos; they’re busy dipping sushi in ketchup and listening to Britney Spears backwards (hey, it’s an infinite universe afterall). I’m talking about any number of doppelgängers living lives that are almost exactly like ours, but just slightly different.
For example, on some world out there, voodootime.com is wildly successful, attracting thousands of visitors everyday. And my alter-ego writes fascinating articles everyday that make people laugh and ponder the fundamental truths of their mortal existence. Other than that, my doppelgänger’s life is exactly the same as mine. And you all live in that world too – maybe with a different job, or a different spouse, or better hair. Maybe your double hates animals, or is an excellent gardener, or has bad taste in furniture. In various alternate worlds, you’re an acrobat, or a musician, or an astrophysicist, or a beggar, or a king.
So whoever you are on this world, be it prince, pauper, scholar, or fool, chances are you’re just somewhere in the middle of infinite extremes. No matter how good or bad you think you have it, any number of your intergalactic doubles are doing far better or worse than you are here. On some world, you’ll live to be 115 years old. On another world, you’re already dead.
So, take a moment to consider your infinite potential. Everything we do affects everything that comes after. In a universe where monkeys play bagpipes on the moors, certainly we can all become more than we are now. And if you can tap that potential, someday, if you ever meet yourself from another world, you can stick your tongue out at him/her and call him/her a big loser.
Bye for now.