  Within present constraints on the observed smooth energy and its equation of
state parameter, it is important to find out whether the smooth energy is
static (cosmological constant) or dynamic (quintessence). The most dynamical
quintessence fields observationally allowed are now still fast-rolling and no
longer satisfy the tracker approximation if the equation of state parameter
varies moderately with cosmic scale. We are optimistic about distinguishing
between a cosmological constant and appreciably dynamic quintessence, by
measuring average values for the effective equation of state parameter.
However, reconstructing the quintessence potential from observations of any
scale dependence appears problematic in the near future. For our flat universe,
at present dominated by smooth energy in the form of either a cosmological
constant (LCDM) or quintessence (QCDM), we calculate the asymptotic collapsed
mass fraction to be maximal at the observed smooth energy/matter ratio.
Identifying this collapsed fraction as a conditional probability for habitable
galaxies, we infer that the prior distribution is flat. Interpreting this prior
as a distribution over theories, rather than as a distribution over
unobservable subuniverses, leads us to heuristic predictions about the class of
future quantum cosmology theories and the static or quasi-static nature of the
smooth energy.
