By universe I don't just mean what resulted from that big bang, I mean everything, whatever that may be.

Only if you assume there have been "events". Why can't some form of matter or energy simply always have existed? Sort of like your god, but not so complex and not so inexplainable.

So your conclusion is some other thing must have always existed to which these problems magically don't apply? :D

Oh noes! Not this thread again. I have work to do, you know?

"Hell is other people." [J. P. Sartre, No Exit]

Infinity is a mathematical concept. It means, in essence, "a number without bounds and which cannot be exceeded". However, it is also paradoxical, as it cannot be pegged at a fixed value, and you can create anomalous statements such as "infinity plus one equals and is also larger than infinity". Set theory covers a lot of cases where there are infinite sets that logically seem to be of different sizes but are not. For example, the set of all whole numbers should be twice as big as the set of all even numbers or the set of all odd numbers, yet all are infinite.

Infinity has been applied to space as a concept of volume, basically saying that space is an infinite number of units in height, width, and depth. We cannot confirm this yet, because we are not certain if space is open or closed, topologically.

Eternity is the equivalent measure of time, an infinite number of time intervals. Just as with the set theory example, it doesn't matter what time unit you use (seconds, days, centuries), there are an infinite number of them. Since time is bound to space, specifically being the rate at which changes in space are measurable, then each can be viewed in relation to the other.

So IAmSinistar, since you seem to have a grasp on infinity, how does DRM_frees point #1 do or what is wrong with it in your opinion?

Both items are fallacious reasoning based on perceived empirical reality rather than actuality. To wit:

Nothing precludes an infinite number of events. Indeed, even an infinite number of unique events are plausible. Though given the fractal nature of the universe, most events are subtle variations of a subset of truly unique events. Much in the same way most sunflowers are structurally identical but minutely distinct, so too are the events.

I am not aware of a standard argument, Aristotelean or otherwise, that requires the universe to have a fixed number of events. Please elucidate.

Incorrect, as this assumes a persistent state model that conforms to current normatives, and we already know this is not the case. Indeed, the first few seconds following the Big Bang saw universal laws and constants which vary from those we now experience. There is no reason to assume that the universe did not exists as a superdense singularity for as long as one cares to measure, before whatever shift caused it to erupt.

To use a simplified parallel example, take the explosion of a stick of dynamite. If you measure the outward pressure and distribution of matter, and then attempt to reverse it with no other mitigating calculations, you would erroneously trace the explosion cloud back to a simple mathematical point that sprang from nothingness. But instead we know that it does have an origin, and an measurable one, just as the universe does. And just like with the universe, our measurement of the expanding cloud of dynamite gives us no information as to how long it sat there before exploding. We only know what we can glean from that single event forward.

EDIT: my usual post-posting typo correction :)

Infinity, eternity, space and time are quite interesting concepts really. Everyone ofcourse "thinks" they know what those words mean...but things do not appear to be so simple. Ive been lately listening to various documentaries on youtube about quantum physics, string theory, multiversums and suchs.

I am not physicist and am seriously rusty at math - but i kinda get the idea what they are talking about there and the implications are quite interesting.

Double-slit experiment for example is something i should probably try at home some day just out of curiosity.

Its really quite incredible how little we actually know about the reality despite living in it. Well, atleast se do think we are living, it is after all supposedly statistically more likely we are living in a virtual reality ;)

I think i should check if there's been any news on M-theory this year. Ive totally forgotten about that one.

Good luck spreading the good word XD
I'm wary of trying to teach on the internet, so for now you're on your own ;)

Forget reality. We know more about reality and the cosmos, than we do about OUR OCEANS! That should blow your mind :P

Since the oceans are part of our reality isn't that a little contradictory? ;-)
Who knows if Cthulhu sleeps down there and dreams our reality?

"What if C-A-T really spelled DOG?"

That's heavy TinyE. Dog.

Well, you could check how much we know about earth mantle...

Thanks. :)

Personally I am less focused on educating some of these people directly. Rather I am trying to get good information out there, for those whose minds are already open and curious. If you don't supply good data, then they have nothing with which to counter the bad. I realise there are some folks who are so invested in delusion that I cannot dissuade them, but I can do my part to keep others from swelling their ranks.