re: The universe is dying

Look up at how big a chunk of physics is connected to thermodynamics. And how much of the rest uses that chunk as a premise somewhere.

There has always been the sidestep of the universe perhaps not being a closed system, but that is conjecture at best and even if true represents only a delaying action.

When it was made clear that the Big Crunch wasn't going to happen, there is only one possibility, it's only a question of how long before it happens.