Following up on Deadalux’s post, new scientist recently interviewed Leonard Susskind, the inventor of string theory, and discussed the anthropic principle.  Evidently, physicists are beginning to agree that the laws of nature are not identical everywhere in the universe.  Turns out we live in a multi-verse of universes with areas having different natural laws defining different “universes.”

That being the case, our universe has laws that allow us to exist, shocker!! But billions and billions of other universes exist in which we could not possibly exist.  I’m sure glad I didn’t grow up in one of those universes, not existing and stuff would suck.  Although, when I was growing up my grandpa would allways tell me that when he was a kid electrons weighed as much as protons, in a snow storm, both ways, up hill, and a loaf of bead was a nickle.  Oh grandpa!

I find the tone of the interview somewaht odd, Susskind seems to say our universe is somehow extra special, which I greatly doubt.  I think we are merely an effect of our universe.  The best analogy I can think of is darwin and his finches.  The finch might say, “look at my universe it is perfectly suited to my size, plumage and beak shape.”  Move the finch to the antarctic and those uppity penguins would have the last laugh.  The finch is a product of its environment, not the other way around.  Why is life in our universe any different?