by Ray Burke

Created on: November 30, 2008

The universe's assets:

How much does the universe cost? Has anyone ever costed the universe; all the galaxies, stars, clusters and planets? How? Who has the catalogue? We humans put values on the universal elements (like carbon, iron, gold, etc), but how much would it all be worth if it were up for sale? Where is the costliest place in the universe? Is it in a dense stellar cluster, the centre of the universe, or is there a universal equivalent to the French Riviera? Are black holes universal stock collapses and the rest of the galaxy whips around to create stars to pay off the cosmic debt? If matter is only four percent of the universe, then how much more would dark matter and dark energy cost? Are dark matter and dark energy shadowy investors in the material world, supplying cosmic funds in terms of gravity? The universe must have some kind of value and the interest from its expansion must be astronomical.

Along with the material assets, what about the intangible, priceless, life-giving energy of the cosmic green machine, like the solar winds, nuclear fusion, lunar tidal power, comet water, and star light; what price they in the larger scheme? The universe is worth more than the sum of its parts, just as a human soul is more than flesh and blood. If humans are the only life form to inhabit this cosmic real estate, then how much value do we add to the system? Are we living rent-free? Is the universe a des res because of our presence or a human squatter's den? Are humans a tax on the system? The energy quotient and the efficiency rating of the universe could go a long way in raising the value of the universe. The verdict is still out on human worth.

Will the universe ever go bankrupt? Can it be repackaged for the next dominant species? If there was a God, would the value of the universe change as a result of a God-made creation rather than a natural cosmic gem? If God placed no value on the universe, then is the universe (including humanity) a worthless waste of time, energy and space? Surely just by the act of creation God must have placed some value in that one deed. But are we the beneficiaries of that act or mere inconsequential observers? How would a universe full of aliens affect the value? Will the super technology of advanced civilisations create more wealth to the system or will space travel and colonisation cause wear and tear and ultimate destruction?

The universe produces unlimited energy, perpetual and profitable power; the universe manufactures goods in the form of galaxies, stars, planets and life forms; and the universe in all likelihood trades with other universes, through other quantum dimensional banking systems via gravity leaks, neutrinos, or other exotic means. How much does a dimension go for? How much is a cosmic string worth? Will ten dimensions be cost effective and will time itself be quantifiable? Is time money?

So, is the universe in good financial shape? The universe is of such vastness and of a divested nature that no financial calamity should be able to bring the whole system down like a supernova. Black holes, pulsars, gravity quakes, solar storms, time and space instabilities would just be local blips and if worse came to worse, any collapsed solar system or galaxy would get an injection of fresh capital and be rebuilt over a few billion years, a wink of an eye in the larger scheme of things. The universe is a valuable asset and it should be treasured for as long as we are here, and beyond.

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