An Obsession

 I have been obsessed with the size of the universe when I first learned how big it is.  I had the most difficult time understanding how the universe is some 92 billion light years wide, when all we can observe of it goes back to 13.7 billion light years.  But more than this is trying to comprehend the meaning of infinity.  

But first, the size of the universe.  The discrepancy in size can be explained by dark matter that has been pushed outward by gravity.  This explains the 92 billion light years.  All we can observe of this is only some 13.7 billion light years.  But I have asked myself if 13.7 billion light years is what we can observe, what lies beyond what we can't see?  And how do we know the universe is only some 13.7 billion years old?  What existed before the Big Bang?

Stephen Hawking believed towards the end of his life that another universe existed that collapsed on itself and then the Big Bang began another universe.  Our time is measured by the space of this universe and not the one before.  I don't pretend to be an astrophysicist who can explain all this.  Aa someone said, parr of our understanding of infinity gets into the realm of philosophy.  

I have a minor in philosophy that taught me critical thinking, but we used to call that element of our college learning as CRAP, standing for Christian Religion and Philosophy.  And for most anyone getting a major in the studies, well, they either used it, but most didn't.  But philosophy asks the question as to the definition of infinity.  We just can't wrap our heads around it.  But I have wondered what is out there beyond what we can't see.  And can we say the universe has always been there?

I am at least fascinated by these questions and wonder how it all began, questioning whether there was some beginning.  Maybe life isn't real.  That is a question for another time.  Maybe I am feeling somewhat professorial today smoking my Professor tobacco in my Tim West pipe.  I'm not particularly fond of my Professor tobacco and won't be ordering more.  If I want a good English tobacco, I might want some Peterson 965.  This kind of reminds me of that, but the 965 is so much richer in flavor.  Thank you for your time and Peace to each one of you.

Dave