Wrinkles in Spacetime

Spacetime Is Doomed, Therefore Einstein's Light Postulate Is False

According to Nima Arkani-Hamed, (11:49) spacetime is doomed, there is no such thing as spacetime fundamentally, but, on the other hand, (21:41) spacetime is a logical consequence of Einstein's postulate that there is a maximum speed which is exactly the same for everybody, no matter how they are moving. But since the consequence is nonexistent and doomed, the postulate from which it has been deduced is false, isn't it? Logic does not allow the combination "true postulate, wrong consequence". See also this:

"Baumgarte began by discussing special relativity, which Einstein developed, 10 years earlier, in 1905, while he was employed as a patent officer in Bern, Switzerland. Special relativity is based on the observation that the speed of light is always the same, independently of who measures it, or how fast the source of the light is moving with respect to the observer. Einstein demonstrated that as an immediate consequence, space and time can no longer be independent, but should rather be considered a new joint entity called "spacetime."

What scientific idea is ready for retirement? Steve Giddings: "Spacetime. Physics has always been regarded as playing out on an underlying stage of space and time. Special relativity joined these into spacetime... (...) The apparent need to retire classical spacetime as a fundamental concept is profound..."

Pentcho Valev

Pentcho,

Excessively high-pitched lessons like Arkani-Hamed's tend to indicate weak arguments. Einstein's split thinking is obvious to me: He took different points of view at a time and felt therefore forced to deny simultaneity.

Let me just tell you for pleasure what I was propagated to radio listeners: E's Relativity is not used by those who are designing experiments in cosmos, funningly - because the belonging equations are too difficult to solve -.

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:) hello Mr Valev and Eckard,

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Dear Sabine Hossenfelder, I really admire that you're working on this. I think that deciding whether spacetime is discrete versus continuous is THE most important question in physics and will make it easier to find out how everything is brought together.

I think it must be because if you define a universe to be a set of discrete information with a nonzero chance of interacting, you really run into trouble with continuous spacetime which would be an infinite set.

Do you think it would be possible to use data from the black hole merger date from LIGO to deduce if a black hole is a 2D object with no interior as opposed to a 3d object? A 2d black hole could indicate that spacetime has broken down which again could indicate discrete spacetime.

Neil deGrasse Tyson (1:09): "If you are moving fast through space, your time will tick more slowly, as observed by others."

However special relativity predicts that, as observed by yourself, your time will tick FASTER than the time of others (who are not moving):

Introduction to Classical Mechanics With Problems and Solutions, David Morin, Chapter 11, p. 14: "Twin A stays on the earth, while twin B flies quickly to a distant star and back. (...) For the entire outward and return parts of the trip, B does observe A's clock running slow, but enough strangeness occurs during the turning-around period to make A end up older."

So special relativity predicts no real difference in the clocks' readings and Einsteinians are forced to introduce the camouflage called, in the quotation above, "enough strangeness".

Pentcho Valev

Pentcho,

You win the prize for relativity ignorance. Understand why Einstein said 'all physics is local' and cure yourself.

Absurd Variation of the Speed of Light in General Relativity

The following texts horrify and paralyze Einsteinians:

Albert Einstein: "Second, this consequence shows that the law of the constancy of the speed of light no longer holds, according to the general theory of relativity, in spaces that have gravitational fields. As a simple geometric consideration shows, the curvature of light rays occurs only in spaces where the speed of light is spatially variable."

Albert Einstein: "In the second place our result shows that, according to the general theory of relativity, the law of the constancy of the velocity of light in vacuo, which constitutes one of the two fundamental assumptions in the special theory of relativity and to which we have already frequently referred, cannot claim any unlimited validity. A curvature of rays of light can only take place when the velocity of propagation of light varies with position."

Yes, according to Einstein's general relativity, the speed of light falling towards the source of gravity DECREASES (in the gravitational field of the Earth the acceleration of falling photons is -2g). This is idiotic isn't it:

"Contrary to intuition, the speed of light (properly defined) decreases as the black hole is approached."

"Einstein wrote this paper in 1911 in German. (...) ...you will find in section 3 of that paper Einstein's derivation of the variable speed of light in a gravitational potential, eqn (3). The result is: c'=c0(1+φ/c^2) where φ is the gravitational potential relative to the point where the speed of light c0 is measured. Simply put: Light appears to travel slower in stronger gravitational fields (near bigger mass). (...) You can find a more sophisticated derivation later by Einstein (1955) from the full theory of general relativity in the weak field approximation. (...) Namely the 1955 approximation shows a variation in km/sec twice as much as first predicted in 1911."

"Specifically, Einstein wrote in 1911 that the speed of light at a place with the gravitational potential φ would be c(1+φ/c^2), where c is the nominal speed of light in the absence of gravity. In geometrical units we define c=1, so Einstein's 1911 formula can be written simply as c'=1+φ. However, this formula for the speed of light (not to mention this whole approach to gravity) turned out to be incorrect, as Einstein realized during the years leading up to 1915 and the completion of the general theory. (...) ...we have c_r =1+2φ, which corresponds to Einstein's 1911 equation, except that we have a factor of 2 instead of 1 on the potential term."

Pentcho Valev

I see nothing either horrifying nor paralyzing in the excerpted quotes of Einstein which Pentcho has just posted. GR is covariant and predicated on spherical geometry where change of volume is calculated from the curvature on a prescribed surface, not protracted from an assumed zero point center. SR is invariance between two gravitationally isolated gravitational domains and only enters GR in the terms of elapsed time on a curve, which via the Lorentz Transforms computes a length along a line of spatial curvature. But as in any measurement system, a result can only be expressed in terms where a choice of one parameter is taken as the benchmark against which all other parameters are relational. It is only in normalizing the time parameter across the entire gravitational domain in relation to an averaged mass density, when a result obtains that the speed of light is variable in relation to position and magnitude of gravitational field. So covariantly when expressed in terms of the compression of time in a spatial volume, the light has to traverse a greater amount of time in any given span of space relative to gravitational magnitude. Hence the clearly stated specification by Einstein that ", the curvature of light rays occurs only in spaces where the speed of light is spatially variable." the key word *spatially* cannot be discounted. jrc

Hi all,

Dear John and Tom,Eckard,could you tell me more about the fine structure constant and the theory of perturbations please ,I learn a little the different mathematical methods for the creation of spherical algebras.I don't know well this constant but It is very relevant considering the harmonical oscillators.If the quantum gravitation is a different quantum of E,it is relevant it seems to me to insert the spherical volumes and motions,spinal, orbital and linear before encoding in nuclei.This standard model must insert the BH and dark matter relativelly speaking like our cosmological scale.The standard model seems encircled by BH and dark matter.The harmonical oscillators can perhaps answer.The bridge between the standard model and our irmpoved model is interesting to analyse.Regards

Steve,

There are a lot of interesting quotes from notables in physics about the fine structure constant, but nobody knows what its physical significance is. What can be said is that it consistently is observed as a simple numerical proportion in the spacing between elemental spectral lines, in particular the 'splitting' of a dominant line such as the yellow band distinctive of sodium. The problem is that those spectral lines are emitted or absorbed frequencies of light by elements, but when subject to Doppler shift measurement the frequency changes smoothly as would be evident of a continuous spectrum having a physical waveform. So while the emitted light behaves as a wave, the emission behaves as a particle. Its a puzzle. good luck with that - jrc

I am thanking you John,it is nice.I am asking me how I can utilise the newtonian mechanic and the 3 motions of sphères and the harmonical oscillators.Quantum gravitation can perhaps be found with simple the quantity of movements.The différences is about the E of a spheron and so the planck constant is Under the stadard model, so a bridge is necessary simply with the newtonian mechanic more the spherical volumes.The primes can be inserted.We could insert this new constant intead of h for the fine structure constant considering the particlesof gravitation encoded.The elementary charge also socan be extrapolated for this gravity but differently than with our electromagnetism, it is there that the volumes and the 3 motions become relevant for the different stepsof stability.If the dark matter is also encoded but it is not baryonic, so it becomes relevant to consider if they are correct my humbleintuitive équations.That tends towards infinity this gravitation, it is logic because the central sphere produces the speedest and smallest spherons.The linear velocities of different spherons in function of their spherical quantum volumes and correlated BH.The method can be superimposed and sorted for the gravitation in inserting BH and dark matter even in our standard model.An other constant must appear like alpha the fine structure constant but not with e²/hc4piEo we insert instead of the fréquences of photons, the fréquences of spherons.The relevance is their paradoxal infinite number.The weakest force so is in the same time the strongest considering thecentral singularities.E=m²+ml² seems relevant if it is correct because we can calculate the entire entropy in evolution, increasing furthermore and paradoxally infinite due to this link physicality and infinity above the walls of thissaid physicality.A real puzzle John :)Regards

I am persuaded that a boson photon cannot pass c but a spheron yes.I don't see why this infinite entropy has created a physicality with a prison due to our relativity.It is just that we are still Young and that our technology is limited.In all case, fortunally that we do not check these particles, already that on earth, we are not able to harmonise globally this pale blue dot like said Carl Sagan.It is better like that for this moment.In the future it is necessary for thecivilisations to travel Inside the galaxies and even between the galaxies.But not with our relativity, it is not possible.The spherons permit to communicate also at a kind of present with extraterrestrial lifes.If a civilisation tries to communicate, it utilisees these waves , not our lectromagnetic waves Under our specialrelativity.The future is the gravitation,this universal natural equilibrium purelly correlated with rotating sphères.The centralcosmological BH is the secret of all in fact.

Banesh Hoffmann: No gravitational time dilation. The gravitational redshift "arises from what befalls light signals as they traverse space and time in the presence of gravitation":

"Relativity and Its Roots", Banesh Hoffmann: "In an accelerated sky laboratory, and therefore also in the corresponding earth laboratory, the frequence of arrival of light pulses is lower than the ticking rate of the upper clocks even though all the clocks go at the same rate. (...) As a result the experimenter at the ceiling of the sky laboratory will see with his own eyes that the floor clock is going at a slower rate than the ceiling clock - even though, as I have stressed, both are going at the same rate. (...) The gravitational red shift does not arise from changes in the intrinsic rates of clocks. It arises from what befalls light signals as they traverse space and time in the presence of gravitation."

What befalls light signals as they traverse space and time in the presence of gravitation, Einsteinians? Do they accelerate?

"Crimestop means the faculty of stopping short, as though by instinct, at the threshold of any dangerous thought. It includes the power of not grasping analogies, of failing to perceive logical errors, of misunderstanding the simplest arguments if they are inimical to Ingsoc, and of being bored or repelled by any train of thought which is capable of leading in a heretical direction. Crimestop, in short, means protective stupidity."

Pentcho Valev

Why Is Flat Earth Society Thriving?

"Our new website includes the Flat Earth Society forums (a thriving online community since 2004) as well as..."

The Flat Earth Society is a natural opposition in Einstein schizophrenic world, less insane than the science establishment. For instance, the flat-Earth idea sounds much less idiotic than this:

Introduction to Classical Mechanics With Problems and Solutions, David Morin, Chapter 11, p. 14: "Twin A stays on the earth, while twin B flies quickly to a distant star and back. (...) For the entire outward and return parts of the trip, B does observe A's clock running slow, but enough strangeness occurs during the turning-around period to make A end up older. Note, however, that a discussion of acceleration is not required to quantitatively understand the paradox..."

In moments of mental aberration, Einsteinians do admit that their world is schizophrenic:

John Baez: "One of the big problems in physics - perhaps the biggest! - is figuring out how our two current best theories fit together. On the one hand we have the Standard Model, which tries to explain all the forces except gravity, and takes quantum mechanics into account. On the other hand we have General Relativity, which tries to explain gravity, and does not take quantum mechanics into account. Both theories seem to be more or less on the right track - but until we somehow fit them together, or completely discard one or both, our picture of the world will be deeply schizophrenic."

Marc Lachièze-Rey: "La physique est schizophrène (...) ...relativiste le matin, quantique le soir... mais schizophrène lorsqu'il tente de concilier les deux visions. C'est là que réside le problème fondamental de la physique d'aujourd'hui."

Pentcho Valev

The dimensionless fine structure constant, alpha ~= 1/137, is indeed one of the important keys for unlocking the underlying nature of physical reality. Feynman's quantum field theory uses perturbation expansions based on factors of alpha and the gyromagnetic ratio calculated with such a QFE series is the most accurately known physical constant of nature.

The problem with alpha is not that there is no way to describe it...the problem is that there are any number of ways to describe alpha since it is dimensionless.

My favorites are as the product alpha x c is the average velocity of the electron for a hydrogen atom as well as alpha / c is the velocity of spin at the elementary charge radius of an electron or proton. That means that the charge velocity of the electron in hydrogen makes a magnet that interacts with the magnet that comes from the charge velocity of the electron spin. This spin-orbit coupling is what splits the s and p orbits of hydrogen, which have different average velocities, and that is what causes most of the spectral splitting of S and P states of hydrogen and other elements.

The constancy of alpha from spectral splittings in both distant galaxies and precision atomic clocks is the only argument for an expanding universe of unvarying constants. Any theory that supposes forces are different in distant galaxies must somehow explain why alpha appears to be constant for both distant galaxies as well as for precision atomic clocks.

In fact, it is not really alpha that appears to be constant, it is really alpha^2. In a shrinking universe, this key fact means that alpha does vary in distant galaxies and alpha^2 only varies as a second order. In fact, there are many reports of the second order variation of alpha^2 and atomic clocks are only now precise enough to begin showing these second order effects.

Hello Mr Agnew,I am thanking you very much.It is nice.It is a beautiful general explaination and Isee better now.I am going to learn more.mlosV if it is correct so can be relevant for the bridge with gravitation, dark matter(spherons.If l is the linear speed,so the samelogic can be made in superimposing the dark quantum matter and quantum BH.The standard model is encircled by BH and dark matter like our cosmological scale in logic.The same method can be made for spherons.An other alpha exists for this matter not baryonic it seems to me.What a puzzle:) Thanks still.

Oh blast it...c / alpha not alpha / c...

The dimensionless fine structure constant, alpha ~= 1/137, is indeed one of the important keys for unlocking the underlying nature of physical reality. Feynman's quantum field theory uses perturbation expansions based on factors of alpha and the gyromagnetic ratio calculated with such a QFE series is the most accurately known physical constant of nature.

The problem with alpha is not that there is no way to describe it...the problem is that there are any number of ways to describe alpha since it is dimensionless.

My favorites are as the product alpha x c (or c / 137) is the average velocity of the electron for a hydrogen atom as well as c / alpha (or 137c, 137 times the speed of light) is the velocity of spin at the elementary charge radius of an electron or proton. That means that the charge velocity of the electron in hydrogen makes a magnet that interacts with the magnet that comes from the superluminous charge velocity of the electron spin. This spin-orbit coupling is what splits the s and p orbits of hydrogen, which have different average velocities, and that is what causes most of the spectral splitting of S and P states of hydrogen and other elements.

The constancy of alpha from spectral splittings in both distant galaxies and precision atomic clocks is the only argument for an expanding universe of unvarying constants. Any theory that supposes forces are different in distant galaxies must somehow explain why alpha appears to be constant for both distant galaxies as well as for precision atomic clocks.

In fact, it is not really alpha that appears to be constant, it is really alpha^2. In a shrinking universe, this key fact means that alpha does vary in distant galaxies and alpha^2 only varies as a second order. In fact, there are many reports of the second order variation of alpha^2 and atomic clocks are only now precise enough to begin showing these second order effects.

Question to All .....

I understand that QM and GR are both 4-D models. Presumably, they both share the same three spatial dimensions.

What is the basis for the belief that they also share the same 4'th dimension?

Regards,

Gary Simpson

Hello Gary,

You can learn the lagrangian and the Minkowski space time.In fact it is just model of evolutive metric to see the evolution in time.So time is considered like a relativistic tool which permits to class and analyse the intrinsic dynamics.You can also learn more about the maxwell's équations.The works of Lorentz are relevant also considering the time dilation and lenght contraction.The relevance is to link with the special and the general relativity.You can also see that general relativity islinked with sphères acting on the space time considering the curvature of our space time.The spherisation appears naturally due to this mass curving.They are just Tools to analyse our quantum scale and cosmological scale.It permits to have correct results considering the evolution and the encodings.Hope that helps.Best Regards