Before it, you know, wipes out the universe?

Could humanity’s observation of dark energy have shortened the life span of the universe? The answer is “yes” according to the author of a new scientific paper that has recently come to light. Featured in the latest edition of New Scientist magazine, the subscriber-only story, “Has observing the universe hastened its end?”, discusses the paper and its claims.

It’s the old principle that you can’t observe a phenomenon without affecting it. But can it really be dangerous, existentially dangerous, for us to observe some the building blocks of the universe in action?

Maybe.

Once again, this is territory ably covered by Greg Egan in his novel Quarantine, wherein aliens essentially wall off the solar system so that we can’t make any more universe-limiting observations of quantum phenomena.

Anyhow, if we really are at risk, this might be a job for the Lifeboat Foundation.

Also, I wonder if MDarling will consider this proof that there really is a God? And an angry, vengeful one at that…