--- title: "Theoretical Holes in Spacetime Could Swallow the Entire Universe" description: "In a new paper, a group of phycisists argue that there’s plenty of knowledge we can gain from studying “bubbles of nothing,” extra dimensions that could cause the universe to consume itself inside out, as Motherboard reports. The three researchers from the University of Oviedo in Spain and the University of Uppsala in Sweden submitted […]" date: "2020-03-06" modified: "2020-03-06" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/theoretical-holes-spacetime-swallow-entire-universe" categories: - "Science & Energy" tags: - "end of the universe" - "the digest" - "universe" --- # Theoretical Holes in Spacetime Could Swallow the Entire Universe !["Bubbles of nothing," extra dimensional holes, could cause the universe to consume itself from inside out, according to a group of phycisists.]() *\Image: Pixabay/NASA/Victor Tangermann\* ## Bubble Bath In a new paper, physicists argue that extradimensional holes known as "bubbles of nothing" could cause the universe to consume itself from the inside out, [*Motherboard* reports.]() Three researchers from the University of Oviedo in Spain and the University of Uppsala in Sweden submitted [a paper](), appropriately titled "Nothing Really Matters," to the *Journal of High-Energy Physics* this month — about a hypothetical, mind-bending hole that could destroy the entire universe. ## Beyond Infinity The paper revives a theory that dates back to 1982, by theoretical physicist Edward Witten. "A hole spontaneously forms in space and rapidly expands to infinity, pushing to infinity anything it may meet," Witten wrote in [his paper](). Physicists have long posited that most of our universe is made up of nothingness, or vacuum. Anything in a more "excited" or unstable state tends to decay to lower energy states by releasing energy. That means our universe is relatively stable. ## False Vacuum But now, scientists, including the ones behind the new paper, are questioning this conclusion, suggesting that the universe is experiencing a "false vacuum," and hasn't truly transitioned to its least excited and most stable state. The result: a "bubble of nothing" that could "'eat' all of spacetime, converting it into 'nothing,'" Marjorie Schillo, lead author from Uppsala University, told *Motherboard*. While others[ have claimed]() such an event is impossible since it would've already happened, the theory could help us understand the creation of the universe, according to Schillo. **READ MORE:** [Physicists Are Studying Mysterious ‘Bubbles of Nothing’ That Eat Spacetime]() \[*Motherbaord*\] **More on the universe:** *[New Theory Could Solve Universe’s Biggest Paradox]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()