The Anthropic Principle says that all the seemingly arbitrary and unrelated constants in physics have one strange thing in common - these are precisely the values you need if you want to have the universe capable of producing life. In essence, the anthropic principle came down to the observation that all the myriad laws of physics were fine-tuned from the very beginning of the universe for the creation of man - that the universe we inhabit appeared to be expressly designed for the emergence of human beings.
So some of the constants and values that must be precise for human life and on earth specifically are:
1. Oxygen comprises 21 percent of the atmosphere. If it were 25 percent, fires would erupt. If 15 percent, human beings would suffocate.
2. If the gravitational force were altered by one part in 100,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 (that should be 41 zeros :D), the sun would not exist, and our beautiful moon would either crash into the earth or sheer off into space.
3. Even a slight increase in the force of gravity would result in all stars being much more massive than our sun, with the effect that the sun would burn too rapidly and erratically to sustain life.
4. If the universe were expanding at a rate one-millionth (think about that!!), just one-millionth slower, the temperature on earth would be 10,000 degrees Celsius.
5. A slight variation in the speed of light would alter the other constants of physics and prevent the possibility of life on earth. (Currently the speed of light in vacuum is defined as 299,792,458 metres per second. Wikipedia)
6. If Jupiter were not in its current orbit, our humble planet would be bombarded with space material. Jupiter's gravitational field acts as a cosmic vacuum cleaner, attracting asteroids and comets that would otherwise strike earth. (to help you understand better :D Wikipedia)
7. If the rotation of the earth took longer than 24 hours, temperature differences would be too great between night and day. If the rotational period were shorter, atmospheric wind velocities would be too great.
So much for random chance?
Btw, all this mind-spinning information is not a recent discovery. All I can say is that the earth is designed just for us by an Intelligent Designer! Don't you feel special? (:
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When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained; What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him?
