Of Myths and Machines: That Self-Replicate and Create Worlds

by Mark Thomas (TE Mark)

Staff Writer

FINDING MATHEMATICS & LIFE: FUNDAMENTAL TO OUR UNIVERSE

“In all things of nature there is something of the marvellous.” (Aristotle)

This world is coming apart. People in the streets facing off with police and local militias. Shouting – fists and banners. Gas grenades and gunshots.

If it weren’t for the signs in K’atani, you’d swear it was New York, LA or London. The rage and divisions – volatile and familiar. And from what you can make out of that harsh northern dialect – the ugly racial slurs and threats of violence; this place is heading full-on into civil war.

It seems odd the identity we’ve nurtured on our world would somehow be innate in beings throughout the galaxy. But then, why not? Except for minor differences, you can barely tell us apart. And besides, we’ve long passed that phase of debating what’s fundamental to our universe. Biology and bias; like gravity and quarks. The same everywhere.

Staring out from your hotel above J’ala Square, you’re no longer certain they’re going to contain this. The decades of immigration and a failing economy were always leading in this direction.

But Resek’s boiling political problems aren’t yours. They don’t want off-world immigrants, so be it. You’re here to find Jocelyn Beth, a mathematical physicist who either missed or ignored the call to get off planet while she still had the chance.

And why she’s important enough for the IAU to send you in undercover to extract her? All you can think of is connections. She’s on some committee, married to or the daughter of some corporate CEO with enough money and influence to pull strings. Another something that’s fundamental to our universe.

THE SCIENCE OF INVESTIGATION: INFORMATION IS POWER

“To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.” (Lau Tzu)

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Before heading out, you check the Homeland Defence database to see what they have on the fine young doctor: where she’s been living – at which university she’s working, and other things hoping to hatch a plan for getting her out of here.

And maybe answer why she would risk staying on a planet immersed in riots, mass arrests, detention centres, interrogations, rushed trials and deportations in the first place. There’s lots out here for adrenaline junkies.

She sure didn’t need to head into a house of dynamite to get her thrills. As Sun Tzu wrote: “Bravery without forethought causes one to fight blindly.”

What you find in your search, however, besides complicating things further, causes you to wonder. Why a scientist here on a research grant isn’t listed at any of the institutions, universities or academic societies.

And oddly missing are her personal details: house number, office, phone records and purchases. No passport scan or the academic visa registration. What’d she do; land and evaporate? Decide she hated the climate or food and board the next mission to Trappist e, f or g under an assumed name?

Then there’s her security clearance. Level A.9. Just granted prior to her departure. That’s military intelligence. Even the spy kids aren’t given A.9.

Leaving your room and heading for the lifts, you can’t help but feel there’s more going on here. You’re not always given everything on your target. But on this one, it seems you’ve been given next to nothing.

Now crossing the lobby heading for the doors and the madness outside; you’re again questioning: What are you doing here Dr Beth? And why are you important enough for them to send me 4 light years to pull you out of this?

LIFE IN OUR UNIVERSE: EXCEPTIONAL, UBIQUITOUS

“Two possibilities exist, either we are alone in the universe, or we are not. Both are equally terrifying.” (Arthur C Clarke)

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It was once believed life on other planets would differ from Earth due to unique evolutionary paths, environmental pressures and differing physical conditions like gravity, temperature and atmospheric pressure. Adaptation is a long, complicated process, and there were few of our ancient astrobiologists hypothesising life out here would mirror the varietal forms found on Earth.

When it was, not just on one planet but on many, it was big news with scientists, philosophers, religious leaders – basically everyone presenting their theory for how it happened.

How beings conceivably throughout our galaxy and presumably beyond had evolved along the same path. Or shared a past the way Indigenous Americans did with early Asiatic nomads crossing continents during one of Earth’s ice ages.

But crossing interstellar space? That was tough for anyone to accept.

That’s when an old, nearly forgotten theory emerged – the Mathematical Universe Hypothesis that, among other things established life like on Earth is fundamental in nature. Part of the greater mathematical assembly like gravity, electromagnetism or those indivisible quantum particles – the building blocks of reality.

Given the right conditions; it’s always going to happen the same way. Theoretically, everywhere in our universe and in others.

And with each new inhabited exoplanet found, contact made – relations established, trade – travel – embassies built with ambassadors exchanged, not only did we suddenly have company in our universe, we also lost our uniqueness to it.

As for The Mathematical Universe Hypothesis? Describing not only life but the entirety of space and time as part of a mathematical structure? As Neil DeGrasse Tyson famously wrote: “The universe is under no obligation to make sense to you.”

SEEING OPPORTUNITIES: IN CHANGING CONDITIONS 

“We find, therefore, under this orderly arrangement, a wonderful symmetry in the universe.” (Johannes Kepler)

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Now stepping into the street, you hold for a minute to review what you have from Dr Beth’s initial grant request. Her projected expenses which included 10 nights at the Hotel L’teur – a landing spot for extraterrestrial visitors on a budget.

University kids on break – backpackers – foreign language teachers. And a stopping off place for legal and illegal immigrants. Which hardly adds up. Not with that clearance.

While attached to the city network using an alias you created at the hotel, you map it – get your bearings and head out into the protest.

Six steps in; you’re suddenly walking with an escort. A blonde woman to your right and a bald guy to your left in an overcoat who looks like a KGB agent from some spy thriller. These are Resek’s SSB agents. Those we called Proxima b’s CIA until we revised our textbooks.

You glance at the woman and decide to play it naive. Go with your cover – a BBC journalist here to report on the unrest. You question her in K’atani. “Can I help you?”

Unimpressed, she responds in fluent English. “Keep walking.”

“Why?”

“Because, if I announce who you really are to this crowd, they’ll tear you apart.”

A scene right now – here, would at a minimum kill your cover and send you packing. A failed mission. Four light years for old scenery. There’s also an opportunity to learn what you can from them. Shelving your rebellious nature, you accept and start walking.

Moments later you’re in a court between two high-rise offices with the SSB’s dynamic duo waiting for you to start things off.

“Who are you?”

“Your search this morning for Jocelyn Beth, Mr Cage… what did you find?”

“If you were monitoring my search, you’d know not much. So, what do you say we cut to the chase.”

These two are sharp. And like you, they’re also looking for answers or you wouldn’t be having this conversation. And by giving away they’ve been monitoring your network access; they’ve also given away they know at least what you do but probably more. Thus, your move is simple: Wait. It’s their turn to share – obviously having some need of you.

“Your Jocelyn Beth came here six months ago, recruited a team of migrant diggers and went out onto the northern plateau. A remote crater called C’arpe D’iam. Rumour has it they found something. Something that has everyone spooked.”

“Rumour?”

She glances briefly at her partner then back giving away nothing. Was that an intentional drop? The SSB operating on rumours? Is that even possible?

So, now you’re thinking: What could a mathematical physicist have found that’s suddenly made her so popular? And what was she doing working at an archaeological dig rather than in some comfortable university with fancy equipment?

Seeing an opportunity in your recruitment; you accept their invitation to an unmarked QV-10 that descends to the curb. Moments later, you’re heading north away from downtown and the protest deciding to play along – reserving the right to bail later if necessary.

“WHERE IS EVERYBODY?” WE AND FERMI ONCE ASKED

“Across the sea of space, the stars are other suns.” (Carl Sagan)

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Resek, an exoplanet we once called Proxima b Centauri, was discovered in 2016 orbiting a red dwarf star in a triple system with Alpha A and B Centauri. Roughly Earth sized, and within its star’s habitable zone, Proxima b was seen as a prime candidate for life.

Robotic missions were hypothesised, but with 21st century technology, visiting our nearest neighbour was unrealistic. Even at 4.24 light years, the journey would take thousands to tens of thousands of years.

Five years and a few months later, something truly unexpected happened. We received a message from the Resek Astronomical Society – informing us they were already on their way using a technology they would later share with us. Something that used lasers and a type of solar sail we would call Breakthrough Starshot.

From there the story really took off. Especially when we received the first pictures of Resek from their ship I’cor showing cities, farms, forests, plant and animal life – and people just like us going about their day. It was unimaginable.

As the NY Times headline read the day NASA released the images: “No Longer Alone – No Longer Unique.”

The world changed. Science changed. Everything, and in ways nothing changed. We welcomed our extraterrestrial neighbours, gained from them their advanced technologies – shared ours and together got busy.

As the century progressed, we would find others and face an odd realisation: we weren’t just common; we were everywhere. And that was when fundamental made it into everyone’s vocabulary. Along with Max Tegmark’s fringe but never discounted Mathematical Universe Hypothesis.

But, argued some; does the existence of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and phosphorous, the fundamental building blocks in biology mean life will always take the same form? Everywhere? Wouldn’t there need to be a blueprint? Some mechanism for guiding the assembly of these elements? Creating not just organic life – but the same life we have here?

And from there came the stories and myths of ancient civilisations or gods travelling and seeding the universe – or delivering that blueprint into the mathematical framework with a technology we could barely hypothesise.

All with the assumed objective of extending themselves, their reign, their continuance and their relevance.

THE MYSTERIES: OF THE MATHEMATICAL UNIVERSAL AND LIFE

“He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the universe.” (Marcus Aurelius)

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Now pulling from the aerial motorway, descending to a transfer point north of K’atan – with an SSB Mosaic waiting with its triple props already revving, you’re thinking about your mathematical physicist.

And again questioning: What’d you come here for Doctor Beth? With Resek on the brink of a global civil war – fuelled mainly by unchecked immigration; why hire a team of migrants and head out into the wasteland?

From mathematics to archaeology. What could be hidden, buried there for you to find? Was it that mystery that myth that blueprint perhaps? Though no scientist or mathematician; your curiosity is growing. Could the mechanism of life be here on Proxima b?

You exchanged few words during the transfer at the terminal. Your SSB hosts were quiet, professional and all business. Now two hours out from the dig, after watching the terrain change from urban to rural to a Martian landscape complete with craters, you take your eyes from the window and turn to the agent.

“C’arpe D’iam.”

She stares for a moment, surrendering a careful, hesitant nod. Then turns her eyes to the window. “Chiron. It was ceded to them in the peace accord of 106,897. The entire plateau.”

“Inconvenient.”

She turns to face you. “Mr Cage… let’s be honest. You’re as curious as we are about why Dr Beth came here and what she may have found. But as irony has it…”

“…I can go places on your planet you can’t.”

She shrugs and turns back to the window. And points at the ridge above the C’arpe D’iam crater – at the twin Chiron gunships hovering in the sky like birds of prey. The guns to the right of the spherical hulls already extended and locked. On the left scanning and targeting lasers are sweeping the SSB craft.

“The Chiron have little interest in archaeology. But they fear your military and know you’re aboard.”

“How?”

“Hesitation isn’t a strategy their commanders typically employ. Especially with vessels violating their borders. Right now, they’ve concluded your mission. And are holding because they’ve assumed we’ve offered your government our assistance.”

And now, you understand your position: why the K’atan SSB needs you. It was indeed recruitment – but hardly for information you may have brought with you. You give the woman a nod of acceptance and watch her give orders to the pilot.

When the ship lands, and you’re ready to head out, she takes your arm and looks you in the eyes.

“Don’t linger. Find her, take what you can and get back here. As I said…”

“…right. Not huge fans of archaeology.”

UNIVERSAL CONSTRUCTORS: IN SCIENCE AND IMAGINATION

“There probably is a God. Many things are easier to explain if there is than if there isn’t.” (Jon Von Neumann)

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It was odd crossing the jagged terrain to caves at the base of the crater. The tense stand-off in the sky above you was telling. A cold war between these rivals playing out in a desolate nowhere over a long-forgotten ideological rift. Perpetual, habitual enemies. Reminiscent of old conflicts on Earth and on many other worlds. Like a mathematical, biological feature now part of our DNA.

After making your way along a path through a gorge into a system of connected caves, you enter a moist cavern lit with post-mounted flood lights. Throughout, groups of migrants sit warming themselves and cooking over steaming red fire plates.

At the far wall you find Dr Beth with three Malawi scientists hovering over a computer set on a camping table. In front of her, half buried in the wall is the hull of a spherical probe – half exposed with a laser cut door, open – and cables extending out to Beth’s computer.

The Malawi regard you with suspicious nods – but Dr Beth never turns. She continues working – downloading – analysing – pulling from the depths of this alien device the answers to many mysteries.

As you get closer, it suddenly clears – what she’s found. A theory – a myth. A thought experiment for philosophers, a debate for their pupils. The blueprint of all things – the quantum framework of reality. The universal constructor of worlds, mathematics and life.

“You’ve heard of Jon Von Neumann’s self-replicating universal constructor Mr Cage?”

You step even closer – and are now able to make out what she’s viewing on her monitor. Datasets. Mathematics – complex beyond you and beyond most. Fluid dynamics, fractals and Fibonacci sequences. Logarithmic spirals and honeycomb like schematics in hexagonal geometry.

All the mathematics and physics that appear again and again in nature and our universe.

“The 1940s. He theorised a self-replicating probe that could explore our universe. Outlive us, extend us by creating and recreating itself.” Captivated, you move closer. “Is that…?” 

She turns to you with curious eyes. “Ever found yourself in a debate about whether mathematics is created or discovered? Whether it’s part of our universe or our universe is part of it?”

You reach for the chair. “Of course.”

“Sit, Mr Cage. In the little time we have, I’ll share with you a miracle.”

She gives you an inviting smile and turns back to her computer – ready to continue and willing to act as tutor during an investigation into the magic of our universe.

THE MATHEMATICAL UNIVERSE HYPOTHESIS: TRULY INTELLIGENT DESIGN

“If you tell me precisely what it is a machine cannot do, then I can always make a machine which will do just that.” (Jon Von Neumann)

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The Mathematical Universe was a Hypothesis once, that our scientists explored, criticised or found elegant. It described space and time as components in a sense, of a framework or structure its existence discrete.

And the life that emerged, its consistency, uniformity on worlds throughout - constructions and assemblies – the resultant beauty of maths.

You watched and listened like a capable student, four hours and more ignoring the margins of time. The recursion in fractals, the incompleteness of Gödel, complex manifolds, uncomputable functions the structure of DNA.

But who were they, you ask when packing to leave – knowing more than the failure in your ability to ask, the answer like the device, creating structures for universes, irreducible into words. Beyond our ability to conceive.

In a universe of maths, the formula for they is the same recursive feature – there are infinities of they. And according to Mr Tegmark who theorised the MUH, without the relevance of time, and the quantum reality we face, a probability exists that we are the they.