We have never observed infinity in nature. Whenever you have infinities in a theory, that's where the theory fails as a description of nature. And if space was born in the Big Bang, yet is infinite now, we are forced to believe that it's instantaneously, infinitely big. It seems absurd.
Interpretation
The quote discusses the paradoxes of infinity in the context of scientific theories about the universe.
Janna Levin highlights the challenges that arise when trying to reconcile the concept of infinity with our understanding of nature. In scientific theories, the presence of infinite quantities often leads to contradictions, especially when considering the origins of space in the Big Bang theory. Levin points out the absurdity of contemplating an infinite universe arising from a singular event, suggesting that these infinities indicate limitations in our theories rather than realities of nature.
In practice
In a lecture on modern cosmology, this quote could illustrate the complex nature of scientific theories.
Time... is an essential requirement for effective research. An investigator may be given a palace to live in, a perfect laboratory to work in, he may be surrounded by all the conveniences money can provide; but if his time is taken from him he will remain sterile.
Of course it is possible that UFO's really do contain aliens as many people believe, and the government is hushing it up
The challenge of global warming should stimulate a whole raft of manifestly benign innovations - for conserving energy and generating it by 'clean' means (biofuels, innovative renewables, carbon sequestration, and nuclear fusion).
I was born on January 8, 1942, exactly three hundred years after the death of Galileo. I estimate, however, that about two hundred thousand other babies were also born that day. I don't know whether any of them was later interested in astronomy.
One of the characteristics of successful scientists is having courage.
Theory-free science makes about as much sense as value-free politics.
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