t-star

Thanks for that. It at least answers half of what I want to understand: That it is possible for the universal constants to have different values and still have a functioning universe. What I'd really like to know is what would happen to the universe, in its present form, if it was possible to change these values? Could you change them so that the universe would start contracting but otherwise change nothing else? What are the chances of humans surviving a change in the values to witness the effects? If you could change the values would it be a case of the universe can survive in some state, but it would be a very hostile place? BTW, I am in no way arguing for (or against) God's involvement in creation here!

Good point, but does a thought itself have physical properties? What about consciousness?

Would it be possible for any/all of the universal constants to change while still allowing the universe to continue to exist?

This question covers a few categories, but I'll put it here first. If you are approaching the edge of a black hole and time is slowing down, what happens to your thoughts? Would the speed of your thoughts slow down too or would you continue to experience existence the same way for eternity?

Thanks for the info. So... if the earth had a population of a thousand women, each with their own unique mtDNA, then if one of those women had ancestors who only ever had one female child, then that modern female child would have mtDNA that they would only share with their mother and other ancestors? So unique if all their ancestors were dead, they would be unique? And mtDNA is passed to the male (but can't be passed on by the male) then a male child could also be unique in that way, only unable to pass on that unique mtDNA? Is that correct?

Just some crazy ideas I'm having that someone with a good understanding of genetics might help me with. Would it be possible for a unique gene or gene combination to be passed down from ancestor to ancestor without anyone else having that gene, but that gene always being passed on? Maybe if all the ancestors only had a single child? So you'd be able to trace that gene back through the generations to an original and nobody else would have that gene/gene combination except one male/female ancestor, say great grandfather > grandfather > grandfather > son.