Is immortality a reality? (probability based, physicists welcome)?

Question

I dont mean some magic cure of ageing. But think about this. Time is infinite, and the very unit of life (at least the life we know) is based around DNA and the cell. Now from conception, we are essentially a single cell with a very very specific sequence of DNA which WILL create us (us without any experiences or memories). So if we have an infinite amount of time, eventually, the molecule DNA, and eventually the very sequence of DNA which will create us will be produced. It has to happen eventually. This would mean that the body we know now is going to be produced many many times over throughout time. I suppose it isn't exactly us, but it is as though we are living our lives over and over again, but each time with different experiences. Seem probable? What are your thoughts?

polair bare i think you're the only one who understands what I'm getting at lol. But whose to say this only applies to earth, surely in an infinite amount of time another planet may occur and be at exactly the same stage now as earth is. In an infinite amount of time, surely things will repeat themselves eventually and every possible combination would have been made and be made again...

labsci, i'm not talking about the earth specifically, i'm talking about the universe. Are you saying in an infinite amount of time there will never be another planet like earth?

Answer 1

There are some "immortal" organisms. One that stands out is the Turritopsis nutricula, basically an old species of jellyfish. It has an interesting life cycle, where after reaching sexual maturity it reverts back to it's immature stage. Read the link for a more in depth description. As far as humans ever developing scientific ways to do this... It seems possible, but I doubt it will ever be allowed ethically.




EDIT: well it seems I read over the question too quickly.... To answer you question i suppose you would have to figure out weather or not you believe given an infinite amount of time, monkeys and typewriters you could come up with Shakespeare.

Answer 2

i think you answered it yourself towards the end

"each time with different experiences"

different things happening at different times will prevent your theory from happening.

the climate, windspeed, technology, culture, conscienceness of self - etc times infinity, all plays a part in shaping our random and spuratic existance.

in order for an exact replicate of you...even if only on the DNA level, to come into play in the future, every single aspect of the world for an infinite amount of time before that would have to coincide with how everything happened before you were created. and since thats not possible (because you were born and events are still transpiring) then there is no way YOU exactly can be made again. even if the smallest thing, something would definatly be different.

does this make any sense at all?? i sure hope so

Answer 3

I see what you are trying to say, but there is a fallacy in your argument. DNA is just made up of ordinary inorganic molecules and atoms. Once you die, it degrades and can become any thing else, including a rock, water, slime mould, etc. The chances of your DNA becoming the same DNA again, within the lifetime of the planet, is near impossible, let alone inevitable. Eventually the planet will be vaporised into its constituent atoms, and then protons, neutrons and electrons by the expansion of the Sun. It seems then to be unlikely that it will reform into DNA in some other part of the Universe within its lifetime.

Answer 4

Forget about DNA stuff for a moment... immortality is not welcomed - at least not generally welcomed - in the scientific community.

But studies on prolonging or extending life is very much appreciated. In fact, "deep freezing" dead persons using cryogenics is being conducted elsewhere with the expectations of reviving them in the future and be cured of any disease they might have.

Answer 5

That's interesting. Never thought of it like that before.

Answer 6

Nice theory Jr. But that's not quite the way it would work.