Scott Douglas Jacobsen: One of the things I mentioned yesterday was how much of the integrity of space—the shape and cohesiveness of the universe—is due to its internal informational structure, and how much might be due to an external mechanism reinforcing it. For example, does the information in the mind keep it structurally integrated, or does it require the brain’s physical support?

This suggests that pure information alone may not be enough to maintain the structure of the universe. Reasoning by analogy, I began reading a paper discussing how a solution to Einstein’s field equations—specifically the Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker (FLRW) metric—describes the universe as a three-dimensional hypersurface (a 3-sphere) expanding within four-dimensional spacetime. This is consistent with observations and is a valid solution in general relativity. But there are other possible solutions, some involving more complex topologies.

I cannot recall the exact argument, but it involves two physicists whose names begin with “M”—possibly Misner and Wheeler or Milne and McCrea. The core idea is that the universe does not have to be geometrically simple; it could include regions that are irregular, distant, or unobservable.

So, the question arises: must the universe have a smooth geometric structure, or can it be irregular in ways we cannot directly observe? If the brain’s hardware is needed to sustain the mind’s structure, perhaps the universe also requires an external framework to remain cohesive, even if its informational structure is uneven.

Similarly, a map of the mind might reveal gaps, asymmetries, or loosely integrated areas. The universe may reflect the same irregularity, especially at its limits or near the initial singularity (t = 0). A future unified theory of quantum mechanics and general relativity might show how even an uneven or “ragged” universe can still produce the smooth, homogeneous structure observed in the local cosmos.

Rosner: Was that the topic?

Jacobsen: Yes. One more point. In an episode of StarTalk, physicist Brian Greene discussed a theoretical scenario where, under extreme quantum conditions, spacetime becomes discrete and collapses from its continuous form. This idea stems from quantum gravity theories, such as loop quantum gravity, which suggest that spacetime may be quantized at the Planck scale. Under certain conditions, the local structure of spacetime could break down.

This aligns with our discussion of irregular regions in the universe. Greene suggested that if spacetime’s entanglement network were disrupted, it might collapse locally, possibly affecting surrounding regions. However, the idea that a local failure would destabilize the entire universe is speculative and not widely accepted.

Rosner: I didn’t hear the full talk—you did—but I’m skeptical. Again, analogies can be useful, but we need empirical evidence to evaluate these possibilities.

Jacobsen: When the hardware starts breaking down—like in the brain with Alzheimer’s—you still have a functioning mind until the late stages. It does not disintegrate all at once. The mind still works to a large degree. Same with the universe: if there’s some kind of localized glitch—say, gravitational collapse—it would not necessarily compromise everything. If the universe is fundamentally informational, there is still enough information to maintain structural coherence.

Rosner: You’ve just lost part of the informational pattern. Take, for example, Gabby Giffords—the senator who was shot in the head. After years of therapy, she has recovered much of herself. I do not know her personally, but she seems to have retained her core identity and consciousness. No one would argue she is not “conscious” just because she lost a portion of her brain.

But this raises a question: in cases like hers—or with people in various stages of Alzheimer’s—at what point does someone lose the capacity to consent? If sentience fades or fluctuates, can someone meaningfully consent to sex? Suppose their awareness fades mid-act and returns suddenly—now they are disoriented, possibly afraid. It is ethically murky.

There are real cases. Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s husband had Alzheimer’s. She placed him in a memory care facility, and he fell in love with another woman, having forgotten he was married. The twilight of sentience brings tricky territory.

Photo by Scott Webb on Unsplash

Rick Rosner is an accomplished television writer with credits on shows like Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Crank Yankers, and The Man Show. Over his career, he has earned multiple Writers Guild Award nominations—winning one—and an Emmy nomination. Rosner holds a broad academic background, graduating with the equivalent of eight majors. Based in Los Angeles, he continues to write and develop ideas while spending time with his wife, daughter, and two dogs.

Scott Douglas Jacobsen is the publisher of In-Sight Publishing (ISBN: 978-1-0692343) and Editor-in-Chief of In-Sight: Interviews (ISSN: 2369-6885). He writes for The Good Men Project; International Policy Digest (ISSN: 2332–9416); The Humanist (Print: ISSN 0018-7399; Online: ISSN 2163-3576); Basic Income Earth Network (UK Registered Charity 1177066); A Further Inquiry, and other media. He is a member in good standing of numerous media organizations.

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