Did you know that we can now observe creation in action?

Question

http://www.newscientist.com/channel/fundamentals/dn11376-photons-life-cycle-watched-in-full.html?DCMP=ILC-Top5&nsref=dn11376

The experiment described in the above link allows scientists to observe the full life cycle of a photon, from coming into existence due to random fluctuations in the quantum vacuum, to its annihilation about a tenth of a second later.

I suppose a theist could argue that this is the hand of God in the act of creation. Personally I see it as a very accessible demonstration of uncaused existence. Who needs a creator when existence itself is random, uncaused, a matter of probability rather than determinism?

It appears that there is no 'nihilo' for things to be 'ex' from.

Answer 1

Sub atomic physicists have long been aware that particles come into existence and disappear apparently at random. That randomness in nature is completely at odds with the creationist model of the universe.

Answer 2

The article says that photons appear "due" to tiny energy fluctuations in space.
According to the article then, what "causes" the birth of the photons are the tiny energy fluctuations. There is a cause, energy fluctuations; so it did not come into existence uncaused. What makes this energy fluctuate? We don't know. Where does this energy come from? It is not clear. So we can hardly deduce anything transcendental from this experiment besides the fact that a very ingenious method of observing photons for a longer period of time was devised.

Answer 3

creation is defined as ex nihilo.....how is this experiment ex nihilo? quantum fluctuations, rubidium atoms, copper mirrors etc refute any claim (not that such a claim is being made by the scientists) of ex nihilo creation of anything.

Answer 4

God is the force of all life, down to the smallest photon.

But the real issue is Man..and where the Spirit of man will spend eternity.

Answer 5

Aren't you the least bit curious where they're coming from & going, or what's making them appear and disappear? You can't seriously accept "nowhere, no reason" as a valid explanation, can you?
I, for one, think this is fascinating!

Answer 6

They're not disappearing, exactly, quantum-level particles exist both in and out of our 4D spacetime perspective. The jargon is "non-locality."

Answer 7

Yeah, it's astonishing enough without having to add another layer of the unknowable to it. I like to bask in the glow I feel from knowing how unlikely my existence is, yet somehow, here I am!...*bask*...*bask* (is that word starting to look silly to anyone else?!)

Answer 8

Cool article.

I feel more God like in my expanded knowledge already.

Wonder when I will create my own slaves like God did?

Answer 9

It would only prove the Buddha right... *sigh* you're still cute and fuzzy by the way...

_()_

Answer 10

Yes I did.