Are Black Holes the Architects of the Universe?

[Swede]

Black holes are finally winning some respect. After long regarding them as agents of destruction or dismissing them as mere by-products of galaxies and stars, scientists are recalibrating their thinking. Now it seems that black holes debuted in a constructive role and appeared unexpectedly soon after the Big Bang. “Several years ago, nobody imagined that there were such monsters in the early universe,” says Penn State astrophysicist Yuexing Li. “Now we see that black holes were essential in creating the universe’s modern structure.”

http://discovermagazine.com/2009/dec/04-are-black-holes-architects-of-universe

[ananda]

1. wow

“In theoretical and observational astronomy,” Li says, “this is the cosmic frontier.”

[bread_and_roses]

2. Personally, I think at the other end of a black hole...

...is a Big Bang somewhere. Ours was the other end of a Black Hole in some other (parallel?) universe. I watch as many shows on cosmology and astrophysics (and quantum mechanics too, and and and) as I can catch...not at all versed in science, not even enough to read it...but I really love imagining the scope and un-known-ness of the cosmos/universe(s)and I admire the ability of those in the field to work in such abstractions...so I do fully realize I am no doubt spouting nonsense. But it's the only image that allows my scientifically primitive brain to wrap itself around Black Holes and the conservation of energy at the same time.

Fascinating stuff, and thanks for posting it.

[silverweb]

5. What you said.

"I really love imagining the scope and un-known-ness of the cosmos/universe(s)and I admire the ability of those in the field to work in such abstractions."

My sentiments precisely.

[intheflow]

3. Very Taoist theory. I like it! n/t

[roguevalley]

4. I doubt that galaxies could exist without a black hole to hold them

together. I love this. Thank you so much.