A Cup of Sea ⁴⁺

The anthropic principle deals with the structure of the Universe and its fundamental physical constants and their relationship to the existence of life. It postulates a multitude of universes ("multiverse") in which the fundamental constants take on different values. In some of these universes, intelligent life can arise, in others it can't. A form of cosmic natural selection through the forming mechanisms of a new universe: quantum fluctuations at the time of the Big Bang, the birth of a new universe inside a black hole, parallel universes. Numerous scientists oppose such views and emphasize focusing on theories that would prove various forces and natural constants based on laws that could be experimentally verified. Such a theory of everything would have to unify all natural forces and combine Einstein's general theory of relativity with the laws of quantum mechanics. One such interesting candidate is string theory. Although philosophical by nature, the multiverse theory is deeply exciting, not least as an inspiration for artistic creativity (e.g. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Star Wars, Alice in Wonderland – and A Cup of Sea).