Irrational Physics: The observably finite universe after all?

The New York times reports on new observations regarding cosmic background radiation and discusses the implications for the shape of the universe. If this is true then it throws all sorts of theories into doubt, recasts the need for inflation, “and more”! Thoughts: Can you have multiple parallel dimensions? Would energy waves looping back into the universe create any kind of interference pattern when they cross back over themselves? (That last one is kind of ridiculous, but I’m still trying to wrap my head around this.)

[bookmark]