It seems to me imprudent, to describe our universe as a one off in glorious isolation. About 30 years ago, during a discussion with a colleague, I confessed that I thought that the universe to be a molecule. He will remember, if he is reading this right now!
Parallel universes have been spoken of, that, if they exist they will have their own constants. That is, there will be no interaction between them. Instead, I offer that after a protracted period an exchange of infomation might occur leading to, substantially, an homogenous and possibly molecular structure of universes.
It would be possible to resolve red-shift and dark energy anomalies by accepting, tentatively perhaps, that in far red-shift we are observing intruders from adjacent universes. Can someone have a look to see whether there is unnatural discontinuity of fully fledged galaxy groupings at the highest red-shifts?

Interesting idea Jim.

I'm a little confused however; what - specifically - are you suggesting might be a test of your idea? I mean, what does this mean??For example, what are 'far red-shift's? How could one tell, from 'far red-shift' data, that there was a signal of 'intruders from adjacent universes'? Also, in what sense (esp in terms of GR) would a universe be 'adjacent'?

I've come across this notion many times - generally people talking in these rather loose terms (sound like me!) have an image similar to a cluster of soap bubbles - the area contained within them seperate from the area within other "Universe Soap bubbles" but adjascent. The theory being that it would be possible (conceivable anyway) that particles from one bubble could slip through (intrude) into their adjacent partner.

Something like that Jim?

It is the familar multiverse idea in another form.

Not that I'm against multiple universes (dimensions?) - As far as I know Quantum allows for this possibillity.

Correct me if I'm wrong Nereid.

But I doubt they could interact in the way Jim is suggesting (if they indeed exist)

Sorry Nereid, I have no parameters against which you may test my ideas. What I was trying to say was, the bodies reported, "older than the univese", at highest red shifts need not necessarily belong, initially, to this universe. - I admit that I cannot show that :-
1. This universe is not in grand isolation.
2. The forerunners from impinging universes would all need to have the same "chemistry" as ours.
3. The periphery of our universe is, everywhere, contiguous with remote universes. Most of which are far older than our own.
4. Dark energy is simply the manifestation of proximity of extraneous universes.
5. There is no anomaly with red shift observations.

Thank you Nereid.

I've come across this notion many times - generally people talking in these rather loose terms (sound like me!) have an image similar to a cluster of soap bubbles - the area contained within them seperate from the area within other "Universe Soap bubbles" but adjascent. The theory being that it would be possible (conceivable anyway) that particles from one bubble could slip through (intrude) into their adjacent partner.

Something like that Jim?

It is the familar multiverse idea in another form.

Not that I'm against multiple universes (dimensions?) - As far as I know Quantum allows for this possibillity.

Correct me if I'm wrong Nereid.

But I doubt they could interact in the way Jim is suggesting (if they indeed exist)[/b][/quote]
Yes Mild mannered I remember, from your observation, that I had read of the soap bubble concept. Fortuitously I seem to have been prompted by that idea!