The Trouble with Infinity

[pasithea]

The 9th dimension is a fascinating place. It's the dimension of dimensions where all possible variations of all possible dimensions of all possible rule sets exist.

It occurs to me that if there are an infinite number of dimensions with infinite variations that somewhere out there, there's a dimension where magic capable of crossing dimensions exists and there is another me who is there and in one of those dimensions where the other me with dimensional magic exists, they've had the same thought I just had but from the opposite side.

They've just thought that there is some other version of themselves who lives in a universe without magic and that other self (me) is contemplating her and trying to figure out a way to make herself a beacon so that other self in the distant dimension might open a portal to connect us so we can explore the worlds of one another.

Surely in one of those other dimensions, one of those magic other selves has the power to not only open a portal but to find me if I were to work hard enough to make myself found, and she'd have enough of the same curiosity as me to actually try bringing me across or vice versa. There must be another self that tries to see what's on the back side of their looking glass.

In a universe of infinite rule sets and infinite variations on experiences, it would be extremely improbable that we live in the suckiest of all universes. Perhaps that means the failing is just me. Perhaps out of my untold trillions of variants, I lack the focus required to be a beacon and allow the gap to be opened. Or perhaps I just need to set aside a block of time and actually try it. It seems like it'd be something that would at least require more than a bit of bored blogging in the mid afternoon. Or perhaps it has happened a number of times and these weird bits of inspiration, art, music, and such are just momentary connections with other selves.

I definitely need to spend more time contemplating this. I think it could make for a good story.

Hmm. I wonder if perhaps it's easier to be a beacon if you get a bunch of friends together and make a circle and help you try to summon yourself. You know. Classic-like.

Comments

[cortezopossum.livejournal.com]

One problem i have with the idea of 'each possible outcome forms an entirely new parallel dimension' theory is that for every 'coin flip' of the universe you'd have to DOUBLE the mass of the 'multiverse' (i.e. set of all universes) to account for both outcomes. Multiverse mass would compound at a staggering rate.

Another idea is that this splitting of universes is symmetrical -- and that on a local level you do have 'universe splittings' however you have an equal number of 'universe mergings' flip 3 heads in a row followed by 3 tails in a row essentially gives the same outcome as 3 tails followed by 3 heads ... so locally there may be a variation, but if you look at the situation on a larger scale both small-scale outcomes seem the same. your 'multiverse' would be more of a tightly woven thread of localized variations.

Of course all this may be just a load of dingos kidneys.

[neurocat.livejournal.com]

The other you that you postulate does, in fact, exist. However to reach you, she would need to travel through the 10th dimension, which is beyond her comprehension.