Every once in a while I watch a show on the Discovery Channel (or channel like it such as The Science Channel, etc...) about the beginning of the universe where they inevitably suggest the universe may have begun as a singularity.
Look, there was no singularity at the beginning of our universe!!!
The singularity is an artifact caused by applying classical physics to energy regiems where classical physics breaks down. Therefore, people (and especially scientists) need to stop claiming the universe sprang from a singularity.
In fact, I was recently at a cosmology conference where a panel of prominent cosmologists told us one of the most important public relations things was can do is dispel the idea that the universe began as a singularity. (This was the same conference where we where entertained by the music from the drummer of the Grateful Dead.)
What Actually Happened?
The best description about what happend is found in the open lines of the theme song for the Big Bang Theory:
Our whole universe was in a hot dense state,(Perhaps the Discovery Channel should hire Barenaked Ladies to start their material for them?)
Then nearly fourteen billion years ago expansion started.
We know ~13.7 Billion years ago the universe was in a hot dense state and began expanding in accordance with the Friedman equations. That's what we know.
What Happened Before Then?
We don't know for 100% sure, but the data heavily favors the idea the universe went through an inflationary phase.
And What Happened Before Then?
This is where our understanding breaks down. Many things are possible and I personally think the best motivated ideas are related to those where the universe inflates from a small patch of some pre-existing universe. (Many cosmologists share this belief) Nevertheless, I admit this may be wrong.
However, one thing is for sure: the universe did not begin as a singularity!
