Cosmologists throw-in the conceptual towel? (was "Open universe?")

[Tucker Hiatt <hiattu00@USFCA.EDU>]

Will no one defend the cosmologists?

On 3/17/02, Tucker Hiatt wrote:
> If my difficulties in envisioning modern cosmology are typical of
> well-informed layfolk, then cosmologists are not doing a good job of
> popularizing their efforts.  I am referring to the poverty of
> *conceptual* cosmological models.  Perhaps the mathematical models
> are beautiful, but if such models do not translate into mental
> images, then cosmologists ought to say so bluntly.

Forgive the self-reference above, but trying to form a mental image
of the big bang seems mighty important to me.  Please let me ask one
more time:

HOW ARE WE TO ENVISION THE BIG BANG IN AN OPEN (i.e., INFINTE) UNIVERSE?

Thanks for your patience,

- Tucker Hiatt