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The original Anthropic Principle is a theoretical explanation of why the conditions of the universe are so perfect for the existence of intelligent life (like us humans on Earth). Why? Because without those conditions, we wouldn't even be here to be making those observations in the first place. Even though the raw probability of those conditions is astronomically unlikely, our very existence requires us to accept that it must have happened somewhere. Compare Rule of Drama, Chandler's Law, Drama-Preserving Handicap, Necessary Weasel, Acceptable Breaks From Reality. Inverse of MST3K Mantra.

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  • Anthropic Principle
  • Anthropic principle
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  • The original Anthropic Principle is a theoretical explanation of why the conditions of the universe are so perfect for the existence of intelligent life (like us humans on Earth). Why? Because without those conditions, we wouldn't even be here to be making those observations in the first place. Even though the raw probability of those conditions is astronomically unlikely, our very existence requires us to accept that it must have happened somewhere. Compare Rule of Drama, Chandler's Law, Drama-Preserving Handicap, Necessary Weasel, Acceptable Breaks From Reality. Inverse of MST3K Mantra.
  • The Anthropic Principle is a loosely structured set of ideas which attempts to explain why certain observable features of the universe are the way that they are, and in particular why the values of particular universal constants seem to have been 'calibrated' so as to maximise the possibility of intelligent life coming into existence. The nub of the argument is that these constants could, in principle, have had any value and are effectively random. The fact that we see them as having these values is simply because we are here to see them. If the constants were otherwise, we would not exist, and there would be no observer to observe the values, and no questioner to pose the question.
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  • The Anthropic Principle is a loosely structured set of ideas which attempts to explain why certain observable features of the universe are the way that they are, and in particular why the values of particular universal constants seem to have been 'calibrated' so as to maximise the possibility of intelligent life coming into existence. The nub of the argument is that these constants could, in principle, have had any value and are effectively random. The fact that we see them as having these values is simply because we are here to see them. If the constants were otherwise, we would not exist, and there would be no observer to observe the values, and no questioner to pose the question. Although they were not the first to suggest the idea, three separate versions of the Anthropic Principle were proposed by Barrow & Tipler (1986); these versions come in Weak, Strong and Final forms.
  • The original Anthropic Principle is a theoretical explanation of why the conditions of the universe are so perfect for the existence of intelligent life (like us humans on Earth). Why? Because without those conditions, we wouldn't even be here to be making those observations in the first place. Even though the raw probability of those conditions is astronomically unlikely, our very existence requires us to accept that it must have happened somewhere. The Anthropic Principle as it applies to fiction is similar: Every fictional universe has fundamental, axiomatic elements without which its story simply could not exist, and the reader must accept those elements in order to enjoy the work. The ultimate expression of this trope is Minovsky Physics -these elements are actually carefully planned in advance, ensuring a logical transition from real life to the fictional universe. For example, Slumdog Millionaire requires a lead character able to get on a TV quiz show and do surprisingly well, to the point that the show itself becomes Serious Business. For House to happen, Dr. Gregory House must be able to keep his job as a genius diagnostician despite being a major Jerkass. For Snakes on a Plane to happen, there must be snakes on a plane. For a Gundam series to happen, giant Mecha must be possible. And to the eternal enmity of all physicists, you cannot have a Space Opera without Faster-Than-Light Travel ... and the resultant Cool Starships must have people on them (even if it's just because suitable machines can't be trusted) because it's hard to tell entertaining stories about unmanned probes. For an Adventure Game or RPG to happen, there must be someone who the player can guide through the Sorting Algorithm of Villain Threat and eventually beat up the Big Bad in single combat. And in all of the above cases, if Adventures of those types can be had regularly, it is an Adventure-Friendly World. This is in some ways the opposite of the MST3K Mantra, which says that some details don't need to make sense because they ultimately don't matter; the Anthropic Principle says that certain details of the story do matter because they are the foundations that the story itself is built upon, and accepting those details on faith is critical to the audience's enjoyment of the show, even if it doesn't make much sense from an outside viewpoint. * This trope is surprisingly often defied by critics reviewing Comic Book film adaptations and Fantasy, when they dismiss an entire genre in its opening paragraph by pointing out that the very premise of the story is realistically impossible and rests upon childlike simplifications -- and anyone who takes such stories seriously must by definition be irresponsible and childish themselves; see Complaining About Shows You Don't Like. * Conversely, the need for the plot to work as an actual story is a problem for overzealous fans who attempt to explain away an aspect of the story that requires Broad Strokes. They may foreswear any literary, character-driven, or other interpretations, placing rigorous consistency above whether or not it makes a good story; and apply similar standards when judging film adaptations, even when there'd be no film if their proposed changes were made. * Sometimes the author is dissatisfied and rebels against the underlying premise. Changes to the basic premise to make it "consistent" or "relevant" (due to Cerebus Syndrome or Executive Meddling) will require a Continuity Reboot or a total Retool of the premise. Compare They Wasted a Perfectly Good Plot. This is why FanFic Headers need to warn for Alternate Universe Fic, and why Transplanted Character Fic is despised by more discerning Fanfic readers. Many Real Life theories about the Anthropic Principle rely on notions of The Multiverse and probable alternate universes (which do not need to actually exist to be considered alternate universes, since it makes little practical difference to our universe and us in it.) Such theories excite the Daydream Believer. Not to be confused with Transfictionality, where the author creates his own Alternate Universe by imagining the story. This scenario is actually the one currently favoured by a lot of physicists, since String Theory (apparently) requires the existence of something like 10 to the power of 500 different sets of physical laws. A similar argument explains why we find ourselves born onto the relatively congenial surface of a planet, rather than inside a star or deep space. (Looked at that way, it starts to seem less like rocket science and more like "and?") In a sense, it can often be assumed that the events portrayed, however unlikely, are still occurring within the realm of conceivable probability. For example, if a plot initiates because a character experiences an incredible event; even if the probability of said event was relatively unlikely, it can be assumed that the character also experiences many completely mundane events where nothing extraordinary happens, and that this event was simply the reason that the episode has been shown to viewers. In short, the events portrayed are not chosen at random from an arbitrary sampling of all existing events (nor even the characters, locations, etc), they are simply the events which are deemed to be of interest. Unlikely events do happen in real life, just not all the time. Improbable does not mean Impossible. If someone were to select only the most interesting events that happened to the most interesting people, and write only about them, then even regular human life may seem extraordinary to the reader. It does not make those events any less believable. In this way, it could even be reasoned that Truly Fantastical stories are conceivable within the defined universe. For example, Superheroes may seem to be continuously rescuing those in distress and foiling evil schemes, however these may very well not be everyday occurrences; they may even conceivably happen weeks apart, with simply nothing of interest occurring between, and thus those events are the only ones the readers are told about. Compare Rule of Drama, Chandler's Law, Drama-Preserving Handicap, Necessary Weasel, Acceptable Breaks From Reality. Inverse of MST3K Mantra. Examples of Anthropic Principle include:
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