An Overdose of Copernicus? Our Universe Might Yet Be Special
The mediocre universe… Depending on
how you look at it, that is either a term of derision or an
interesting, mind-warping concept. Cosmologists who are enamored of
the theory that there are many, or perhaps infinite, universes like
to look at our cosmic home and call it average, boring, run of the
mill, vanilla. They don’t do this because—like kids growing up in
the suburbs—they long for the city lights of a more exciting
cosmos. They do it because they think they have too. They do it
because there is a problem that needs to be solved and, for some,
Copernicus and his principle seems the right path to solve it.
In his thoughtful article “,” astrobiologist Caleb. The idea is central not only to astronomy but to science as a whole. The Copernican principle says that you, as an observer, are not special. You don’t live in a special time. You don’t see things from a special position. The power behind the Copernican principle is that scientists try to never, ever, ever forget its admonition as they attempt to explain the world. Relativity—with its emphasis on the lack of any privileged frame of reference—was a triumph of the Copernican worldview. Thus, from Copernicus’ perspective, you, and everything about you, is mediocre.
