: In string theory, any dimensional collapse below the planck length yields a universe with properties exactly the same as a universe with a radius that is the reciprocal of the scale factor of the collapsing universe. In other words, a universe that has a radius of half a planck length is identicle to a universe of a radius of two planck lengths (reciprocal). This of course encompasses higher dimensional radii then just the usual three axis directions. : In Hawking-Penrose theory on black holes, a finite mass black hole contains a singularity that consists of a mass which seems to just collapse faster and faster forever. Eventualy it will collapse to a planck size radius. After that it just collapses faster into an ever smaller size. : Tie these above two paragraphs together and what you get is a dimensional collapse to a planck length. Then after further collapse a universe is yielded directly equal to the one with its reciprocal radius. In other words, in string theory.....the singularity of a black hole yields an identicle universe to the one that collapsed which expands faster and faster (inflates). Kinda like our universe. Our universe may vey well be a sub-planck sized singularity in an extremely large blackhole that we percieve to have a reciprocal raidus to our universe, (extremly small) to us. The actual sizes of the universes are relative. Our universe began as the result of a gravitational collapse in another universe, and continues to expand as long as the outside universe sees us contract due to gravity. The cosmological constant, then, is a gravitational field that exists inside our universe, but is an actual field that exists in a higher universe. We perceive this as a repulsive force, because string theory says that as we contract, we perceive expansion. This is all very hard to explain but if you know what I mean please comment, or correct my thinking.

String theory is not my field, but what your talking about is reminiscent of the ideas of Dr. Lee Smolin who believes that the formation of a black hole is the creation of a new universe.

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• RE: Re: String theory and our universe as a black hole...Zephram - try - May 23, 2000 - 10:08 UTC