parallel universes
Coexisting separate dimensions
Parallel universes are hypothetical realities existing alongside our own, each potentially containing different versions of events, people, or physical laws.
The concept appears in physics (quantum mechanics, cosmology) and dominates science fiction, where characters cross into worlds where history diverged: In a parallel universe, the Nazis won World War II.
Informally, parallel universe describes any radically different perspective or way of living: My coworker seems to exist in a parallel universe where deadlines don't matter.
Hypothetical set of universes
- string theoryFilament-based particle framework
- cosmic inflationUniverse's first exponential stretch
- landscapeVisible features of terrain
- extra dimensionsSpatial axes beyond three
Hypothetical scenario query
- alternate historyGenre reimagining past outcomes
- butterfly effectSmall inputs, disproportionate results
- time travelMovement across temporal points
- wormholesTheoretical passages through spacetime
thought experiment · sliding doors · road not taken · causality · paradox · Mandela effect
Physics at nanoscopic scales
- superpositionCoexisting in multiple states
- wave functionQuantum system's complete description
- Schrödinger's catQuantum superposition thought experiment
- decoherenceLoss of quantum coherence
Everett · quantum entanglement · observer effect · Copenhagen interpretation
Propositions contrary to fact
- necessityIndispensable requirement
- contingencyUncertain possible event
- LeibnizBaroque-era polymath philosopher-mathematician
- metaphysicsPhilosophy of existence's nature
Hypothetical different version of existence
- doppelgängerGhostly identical counterpart
- counterpartCorresponding person or thing
- alternate selfVariant of oneself
- portalImposing entrance or gate
dimension hopping · Dark · Rick and Morty · Spider-Verse · alternate timeline · crossover
multiverse
Hypothetical set of universes
- string theoryFilament-based particle framework
- cosmic inflationUniverse's first exponential stretch
- landscapeVisible features of terrain
what-if
Hypothetical scenario query
- alternate historyGenre reimagining past outcomes
- butterfly effectSmall inputs, disproportionate results
- time travelMovement across temporal points
wormholes · thought experiment · sliding doors · road not taken · causality · paradox · Mandela effect
quantum mechanics
Physics at nanoscopic scales
- superpositionCoexisting in multiple states
- wave functionQuantum system's complete description
- Schrödinger's catQuantum superposition thought experiment
decoherence · Everett · quantum entanglement · observer effect · Copenhagen interpretation
counterfactuals
Propositions contrary to fact
- necessityIndispensable requirement
- contingencyUncertain possible event
- LeibnizBaroque-era polymath philosopher-mathematician
alternate reality
Hypothetical different version of existence
- doppelgängerGhostly identical counterpart
- counterpartCorresponding person or thing
- alternate selfVariant of oneself
portal · dimension hopping · Dark · Rick and Morty · Spider-Verse · alternate timeline · crossover
- sci-fiscience fiction, Star Wars, sci-fi, Blade Runner 2049, aliens
- imaginary thingsfantasies, imaginary friends, imaginary worlds, make-believe, make believe
- sci-fi techteleporter, time travel, cryonics, force fields, time machine
- science newspopular science, black holes, discovery, dinosaurs, research
- Cosmologiesmultiverse, geocentric model, heliocentric model, Ptolemaic system, cosmic egg
- cosmic mysteriesdark matter, dark energy, black holes, Big Bang, cosmic inflation
universe, parallel, universal, parallels, universality, universalize, universes, nonparallel, parallel universe