Royston

I was having a look at NTSA website on black hole simulations and I noticed that the graphics are based on a 2 dimensional plane with the forming of the black hole represented in three dimensions. The (debatable) singularity therefore being represented as an everdecreasing cone. I've always imagined blackholes as a star collapsing into a smaller and smaller sphere with space-time curving inwards as the star collapses. The event horizon being the curvature where the star once was, what happens past this point is a bit more tricky to wrap your head round...there are numerous theories. It's quite hard to visualize this...if you imagine yourself on the sphere and everything curving in as it collapses (including yourself) thinking of this in three dimensional space then this seems more logical than the graphic interpretations I've looked at. Is my thought process correct ? Also given that the force of gravity is equal on the surface area of a star (correct me if this is wrong) then the star should theoretically collapse evenly. This to my mind would create a static black hole...so my second question is, what constitutes a rotational black hole. Is it dependant on it's surroundings when it collapses ? My third question is, is there a computer simulation that has managed to graphically represent the collapse of a star in four dimensions rather than on a two dimensional surface of a sphere ? If I'm getting this completely wrong I'm open to criticism. Are static black holes created for hypothetical mathematical models rather than actually existing, considering that the universe is constantly rotating and expanding ? More than a couple of questions I know, but I'd really like to try and visualize what's going on when a star collapses.

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That dribble coming from your chin it's so ...so becoming I think dreams are a collection of random thoughts, scenes and memories put into a narrative so they piece together and make sense, just as you try and make sense of reality when you're awake. Obviously as dreams are in your head, the events are much more random as they don't follow an external system. This makes the brain put it into some kind of order and why dreams are so randomn but realistic. I can't be sure of your premise...but if there are strange events happening around us that we're not aware of, we all seem to be doing ok...despite that emu, that insists on urinating on my sofa.

Thankyou for the reassurance Martin, I tend to be quite rash as I've found people are more eager to put me straight...it's a quicker way to learn, anyway back to the article. The Ashtekar and Bojowald article seems to echo Hawking's speech last year, What I find quite sad is that the bangs formed from black holes would be impossible to equate unless you entered a black hole and observed the forming of these new universes. If we rely on the forming of our universe as reference then we would be assuming there are multiverses similar to ours that obey all the rules (so far) implied by physics. However if space-time breaks down before this formation, then the rules essentially could be completely different to how our universe started out. What I'm fascinated with, is that if relativity holds at the start of these new universes space-time could be completely warped but still support uniformed shapes and maybe life...considering we're here this is a very strong possibility, and almost impossible to comprehend.

Please correct me if I'm wrong but if it's possible to equate models independant of a frame of reference, (that hold to relativistic values) then the old saying...'if we're part of the equation, then it's impossible to work out the equation', goes out the window.

Sorry I'm not sure I follow...I thought solar flares were electromagnetic fields on the Sun that become knotted...energy is stored then literally explodes firing off x rays, gamma rays et.c I know they're still being researched but I can't see how this connects with what I'm trying to get across. I guess I should explain my thought process with this post and you may understand my frustration into making this idea tangible to other people. With regards to an earlier thread...'mental visualizations' where I should of explained how I can build highly complex models in my head (strangely my maths is very shoddy) but I can build entire constructions e.g a cathedral and travel around the construct and know my exact position in the model, basically like an architects CGI demonstration. I took this for granted...I've always been able to do it, and only after reading other peoples take on mental visualizations I realised that not everybody can do this...Bettina's being the closest but this goes a little further. Recently I've been thinking about relativity...alot. I managed to construct a model in my head where the principles of relativity are applied, and I can observe this model (which is what most people can do) but I can also become part of the model, I can only describe it as thinking in three dimensions...but this is where it breaks down, because it's almost impossible to convey this into english (or any other language) and I certainly don't have the maths to describe what I've constructed. The reason I was dicing over the idea of particles collapsing in the very early universe, is because I can vizualise collapse in a 3D construct and this collapse seems (with the model that I've constructed) to have direct relation with the expansion of the model. This is why I was thinking it needs to be inherent at the start of the universe. My early models would be similar to expanding spheres or 3D eliptical shapes with trillions of angles with no space between holding the sphere together (kind of...this is really hard to describe)...remember that I'm compensating for the fact that I'm part of the construct. Aaarggh this is frustrating, maybe I should wait till I start my diploma next year, and I can stipulate my thoughts with a higher degree (excuse the pun) of detail and structure. Albeit I hope you all enjoyed reading my ramble, and maybe it provoked a few thoughts if nothing else

I'm sure you realise that someone is perfectly capable of feeling hate without knowing love. You're also basing your argument on a personal situation, which should imply a broader consideration of the topic...otherwise you're just being narrow minded. Not meaning to be rude, but that's how you're coming across.

Yes. I actually hate using the 'parallel universe' term as it almost seems like a cop out. But if it's possible to exist in one and observe the effects of the other then it does appear that there are two universes tightly woven with one contracting the other expanding. The singularity never happens just as all matter doesn't fly out at an infinite rate. How can you have someting of infinite mass...that would mean more energy is created by a black hole than the amount of energy that's passed into it...essentially energy from nothing. Matter does not dissappear or materialize it simply changes state...though I'm sure you're aware of that. I guess this may seem sceptical to most, but logically it works.

Ok, sorry if it seemed like a babble, but my idea is that the universe is expanding and a parallel universe is contracting. The two have direct effects on the other in regards to gravity...making it a weak force. The universe contracting still holds to the laws of relativity with regards to my explanation in the first post...black holes are an example of this contraction. With the two fighting as one expands and one contracts a singularity is not formed and the expansion is slow enough to create uniform shapes. I realise the first premise can't be true as the forces in an atom a far stronger than gravity for a particle to collapse at the start of the big bang.

That's an interesting idea...but not what I'm getting at, as we can observe the effects of a black hole...it's contraction. I guess you think I mean that the observations of our universe from inside a black hole would be a mirrored version of our observations from outside a black hole. Though I'm not sure how that would work. There simply wouldn't be such a thing as a black hole if inside one, as our universe is expanding. Sorry ignore the 'our universe would seem like black holes' in my first post...I'm at work, so thinking aloud as it were. I don't have much time to think and post so apologies, my premise needs ironing out.

Is it possible for a particle to collapse under gravity if it's energy is finite. I was thinking of this in relation to the beginning of the universe...in that the size of an object could be very small to create a black hole in proportion to other matter in the early universe and the gravitational forces acting upon this matter. As a star holding finite energy burns out and can no longer support itself under the effects of gravity it creates a black hole (dependant on it's mass), and as the laws of relativity still hold true...eg an outside observer would see someone entering a black hole skew and break up but the person in the black hole would not notice these effects as his composition (for want of a better word) is still relative to the laws inside the black hole...what if these effects happend at the start of the universe before uniform objects formed. What I mean is, would it be possible for a universe to exist under the laws of a black hole...which would essentially make our universe appear as black holes in that universe...or I guess no black holes. If thermal dynamics still holds in black holes then the (how it appears to us) contraction of that universe would be relative to the expansion of our universe. For this to take place then the events would have to of happend around the time of the big bang if not instantaneous to the big bang, I'm thinking the expansion of our universe could maybe slow the contraction of the other universe into not forming a singularity...and so holding information. Feel free to rip this apart, I have the idea in my head but I'm finding it quite hard to iterate my thoughts.

You can't have a quick fix to such a complicated issue, and you are in no position to judge how sentinent a retarded person is, unless you can see the world through their eyes. The fact you noticed your brother has become depressed surely shows he holds a level of emotion and cognition. I can't fully relate with your position, and I understand it must be hard work, but I'm shocked you have this attitude towards the handicapped, especially a member of your family. My Mum used to teach a class of children with varying disabilities who I had the pleasure to spend the day with, and they were a delight to be with...and as YT2095 has stated it's a humbling and I feel needed experience. I realise the debate is concentrating on the mentally challenged, but I'm wondering, if you personally dictated who has the right to live...going by (from what I've read) face value, where would someone like Stephen Hawking be now ? If anyone, (and I don't really believe this, but have thought about it) deserves eradication, it's the people who are perfectly fit and able to provide for society, and just can't be bothered and would rather feed off society. However I believe everyone has a right to live as you can never truly know what potential they have, and I feel there is a lesson to be learnt from any individual.

Hello Christina, do you look after snails...if so which breed ? I own an achatina fulica (which is huge) and another breed which I can't seem to distinguish as the eggs are very similar, but they are clearly smaller with a more vibrant pattern on their shells. Quite a long story why I decided to look after snails...I get a very mixed reaction when people see them.

Do I hear distant pan pipes ? That's all very nice, but my preference is to eat some cheese (only a small amount) maybe a raw or pickled chilli, and quaff some red wine before going to bed...I hasten to add I don't do this every night, but it has 95% success with me. The dream always starts nightmarish, say I find myself in a dark house with rotting walls, and there's always this foreboding fear that something is really not right...usually friends and family are involved and are in some kind of peril. Then I step in with all my lucid capabilities and always have the ability to fly, have incredible strength or dexterity, am telepathic and have the ability to move huge objects with my mind...it even goes to the point in my dreams that I'm omnipotent and start shaping the environment to help the people who are in trouble (as though I am the environment and nothing can touch me.) I always seem to defeat whatever lurking fear is in the dream...and I always make the enemy in my dreams more disturbing and awesome looking as the dream progresses...as though it's constantly morphing to outdo me. Occasionally I can't control the dream from the outset and have had a couple of waking nightmares where I can't shake the atmosphere of the dream for a good few hours after waking up. There were a couple I recently experienced that were so disturbing that I wondered how my brain could conceive such horrible events, they also flowed like a well scripted dialouge (as opposed to a jumble of disjointed events where the cognition of your surroundings fills in the gaps), and made films like The Ring (off the top of my head) seem as ominous as Toy Story 2. I do have many pleasant dreams, some are so topical and dull that I chuckle when I wake up...like dreaming of brushing my teeth. I find it interesting how such a simple thing as eating a dairy product has an almost psychoactive response when unconcious...albeit not everybodies cup of tea. I guess I enjoy the experience of being totally invincible which is funny because I consider myself anti-macho. I clearly feel exhausted after lucid dreaming as already noted, but it's not so much the duration of the dream that tires you out, but the amount of activity the brain is enduring. Dreams are fleeting, if you piece your dream together you could probably only recollect a handful of brief scenes that loosely connect to each other...in most cases. I used to suffer from sleep paralysis when I used to have afternoon naps in my teens...my experiences are very similar to other accounts I've read. I'd feel my body relax, and breathing slow until I was paralyzed and would dream with my eyes still open. I could see my room and there would always be a figure on my bed, or hands coming out of my bed which would grab hold of me and I would concentrate on my arm or leg to move, to break out of the paralysis. It was quite scary at first but I learnt to enjoy sleep paralysis.

Maybe you're just not photogenic, and as Phi for All pointed out it all depends on light, angle et.c Light / shadow can accentuate or diminish features which could look good at certain angles, but can also make you look hideous. I'm not particularly photogenic but I've heard the contrary face to face (hard to say without sounding vain.) Keep trying I guess until you're happy with a result that flatters you're appearance. The paparazzi (especially UK tabloids) are masters at catching celebrities on 'off days' and making them look at lot worse than usual. The camera never lies, but it can bend the truth. Providing there's no post editing.

Along the same vein...I particulary like cats on cat, enjoy http://www.stuffonmycat.com/

A friend of mine showed me this...genius. http://catsinsinks.com/

Google 'Sir Roger Penrose' (Rouse Ball professor of mathematics at Oxford University) he worked closely with Stephen Hawking (though both have clearly different stand-points on this subject) and is arguing the case of a quantum consciousness. It deals with macroscopic phenomena and the role of microtubules. As for mathematical models of consciousness...not yet, it's still hard to define philosophically let alone mathematically.

My house mate who had excess ear wax was told by the doctor to pour a little olive oil into his ear, wait a few minutes and then squirt it out with warm water. He told me the results were fantastic. I can't say I was to fussed about viewing the ...results, but thought you may be interested. I'm sure there's a whole host of alternative methods to using pharmaceuticals, it's a shame there's a lack of research in this field. I'm not going to start ranting about huge profit making companies having hold of what research is funded, and the depletion of the rain forests et.c...opps I just did.

I guess the crew are in the navy

Will you be using a 64bit processor ?