On the Nature of Complexity and Intelligence: Beyond Boltzmann Brains
Scientific shower thoughts
Theory has it that Quantum fluctuations — small fluctuations in the initial singularity — caused the big bang. The big bang gave birth to a primordial particulate (and anti particulate) soup (quantum fields) which according to inflationary theory, expanded rapidly creating the canvas for our Universe. Further quantum fluctuations in this primordial soup created particles of matter and even further quantum fluctuations created the universe with all its cosmic bodies as we know it today — a beautiful painting on an empty canvas.
All matter created thereafter followed the laws of thermodynamics — one of which suggests an overall progression of the universe towards uniform disorderliness. But this theory also allows for fluctuations. These thermodynamic fluctuations are random pockets of orderliness in a mostly disorderly universe. One such random pocket of orderliness is our solar system.
Boltzmann hence hypothesized that if a random pocket of orderliness could give rise to something as complex as the human brain, then taking into consideration the size of the universe and the large time frames that it exists in, there should be numerous such random pockets of orderliness in the universe or numerous random brains (a form of orderliness) popping into existence all over the universe — Boltzmann brains.
This article is not going to be about Physics or Boltzmann brains but something beyond this. Obviously Boltzmann brains have never been detected. But could we entertain a thought as to why and go beyond this hypothesis.
Complexity only arises at the macro level — ie. looking at things from a macro perspective. An atom could be considered fairly simple, a molecule slightly more complex, a living cell is complex and an organism is extremely complex. As we zoom out per se, the complexity increases. Could we apply this to what we see around us?
Are we too small? To observe complexity in an organism, it is necessary to observe and understand the organism at a macro level ie. as a whole. Just as a single cell will not be able to detect the intelligence of an organism, are we part of an intelligent system that exists at cosmic scales that came into being through fluctuations? Could these be Boltzmann brains that we are merely a part of? Ignoring non-determinism, electrons revolving around a nucleus and planets revolving around a star guided by the exchange of forces between them are seemingly very similar systems. And just as an electron would not know that it is part of a wider system that lends itself to an intelligent organism such as ourselves, is it possible that humans on earth are part of a galactic or cosmic scale intelligence. Is the painting too big?
If human beings are themselves part of a far more complex system, then this universe is a truly wonderful work of art
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