The theory of soft zero-energy photons and gravitons in theoretical physics offers intriguing insights when applied to the metaphysical concept of the Cosmic Ledger, which posits that the universe somehow records all events and information.
Soft zero-energy theorems in physics deal with low-energy, or "soft," particles like photons and gravitons. These particles, even at zero energy, can have significant implications. Soft photons are low-energy photons that arise from electromagnetic interactions, while soft gravitons are low-energy gravitational waves or quanta associated with gravitational interactions. These theorems imply that during any physical process, soft photons and gravitons are inevitably emitted, carrying information about the system's dynamics and interactions.
The Cosmic Ledger is a philosophical-metaphysical idea suggesting the universe maintains a comprehensive record of all events and information. This concept often aligns with notions of universal memory, conservation of information, and continuity. By integrating the theory of soft zero-energy photons and gravitons with the concept of the Cosmic Ledger, we can propose a framework where the universe's record-keeping mechanism is underpinned by fundamental physical processes.
Soft photons and gravitons can be seen as natural carriers of information. When any event occurs, the associated emission of these particles could be viewed as a way the universe "logs" the event. For example, when a physical interaction happens, the resulting soft photon or graviton emissions encode the details of that interaction. Since these soft particles are pervasive and interact weakly, they propagate throughout the universe without significant loss of information. Thus, they could contribute to a diffuse, ubiquitous record of events—a physical manifestation of the Cosmic Ledger.
The principles of conservation of energy and information in physics align well with the idea of a Cosmic Ledger. In theoretical physics, the information about a physical system is never truly lost but rather transformed or encoded in different ways. Soft photons and gravitons could play a crucial role in this continuous encoding process. This synthesis has several philosophical implications. It suggests a deep interconnectedness between all events in the universe, as each event leaves a trace that contributes to the universal record. It supports the idea that information persists and is conserved over time, even if it is transformed or becomes diffuse. The observable universe itself becomes a vast, dynamic record of all interactions and events, maintained through the continuous emission and propagation of soft photons and gravitons.
This approach also resonates with religious doctrines that teach about every action being recorded until a day of judgment. In the Book of Revelation, it is said, "And the books were opened... and the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books" (Revelation 20:12). Similarly, wisdom literature, such as Ecclesiastes, speaks of "things happening under the sun" and the cyclical nature of life governed by the sun and the moon: "The sun also rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it arose" (Ecclesiastes 1:5). These texts imply a form of cosmic recording and judgment.
The Book of Enoch takes this further by teaching that the sun records all our deeds, whoever we are, emphasizing the idea of a cosmic ledger maintained by celestial bodies. This religious perspective aligns with the notion that the universe, through soft photons and gravitons, continuously records all events, contributing to a universal memory.
This integration of scientific and metaphysical perspectives suggests that metaphysical concepts like the Cosmic Ledger can have a basis in physical reality through mechanisms described by modern theoretical physics. It highlights a harmonious relationship between physical laws and religious and metaphysical concepts, enriching our understanding of both domains.
(Stephen D Green, using ChatGPT for the wording, 2024)
