Eternal inflation predicts that time will end

TL;DR

This paper discusses how eternal inflation models predict a finite-time cutoff leading to potential catastrophic events, with implications for the future of our galaxy within billions of years.

Contribution

It highlights that certain matter systems reach the cutoff in finite time, introducing a new type of catastrophe in eternal inflation scenarios.

Findings

Some matter systems reach the cutoff in finite time

Our galaxy may encounter the cutoff within 5 billion years

A nonzero probability for a novel catastrophe exists

Abstract

Present treatments of eternal inflation regulate infinities by imposing a geometric cutoff. We point out that some matter systems reach the cutoff in finite time. This implies a nonzero probability for a novel type of catastrophe. According to the most successful measure proposals, our galaxy is likely to encounter the cutoff within the next 5 billion years.