[RatRipper]

I am a banker, not a physicist. Seems to me that explanation would blow a huge hole in the Big Bang theory, because, my understanding was that the Big Bang occurred when the universe collapsed into a very small, tightly compacted mass.

In a related matter, read Hebrews 11:3. Interesting.

[stormhill]

Seems to me that explanation would blow a huge hole in the Big Bang theory, because, my understanding was that the Big Bang occurred when the universe collapsed into a very small, tightly compacted mass.

That sounds more like the Big Bust Theory...or, if you prefer, the Marilyn Monroe Theory.

[Captain Rhino]

Not necessarily.

The Big Bang could have happened just once and the Universe is on its way to total cold entropy. Or it may have somehow produced gravitons with these unique properties in just this last recycling of the Universe’s total substance and that may be the event that stops the cycle.

Either way or whatever, we are not going to be around for the answer. (Some wise guy said it was “42,” but I have my doubts.)

Anyway, I’m hungry. Think I’ll have a pastry and some tea.

[mlo]

"...Seems to me that explanation would blow a huge hole in the Big Bang theory, because, my understanding was that the Big Bang occurred when the universe collapsed into a very small, tightly compacted mass."

No, the Big Bang does not include the premise that the universe collapsed into a dense state. The theory starts with the universe in that state. What happened before that, if anything, is external to the theory.

Both ideas, dark matter, and this gravitons with mass, necessarily include the Big Bang.