The Nature of Time

Steve Dufourny

yes it is about to measure what a clock reads with this second like basis. It is linear for newton, for eisntein it is with this spacetime of the relativity, in thermos it is this irreversibility entropical , in the quantum mechanics it is with the schrodinger equation.They all measure the sequences of events, motions, changes,durations.

Jim Snowdon

When we are spending extended periods in the Moon base on the Dark side of the Moon, looking out at the black star filled sky for days at a time, there will be a change in our sense of time passing, or duration elapsing.

Our conscious appreciation of time will change.

Jim Snowdon

If time is utilized in those various applications, how does a definition of time emerge?

Jim Snowdon

In 2008 FQXi had an essay contest on the nature of time in the hopes of finding the solution to the age old problem.

There was no evidence presented as to the origin of time, no evidence accepted, other than the winning essay stating time does not exist.

Jim Snowdon

If I might quote from Julian Barbour`s winning essay`s abstract, titled, The Nature of Time, from the 2008 essay contest. "A review of some basic facts of classical dynamics shows that time, or precisely duration, is redundant as a fundamental concept. Duration and the behaviour of clocks emerge from a timeless law that governs change."

Jim Snowdon

"Duration and the behavior of clocks emerge from a timeless law that governs change."

FQXi did produce the answer to the question of the Nature of Time. Julian Barbour`s essay abstract makes it clear that time doesn`t exist.?

Jim Snowdon

Julian Barbour`s prize winning essay on the Nature of Time contest in 2,008, explains that time does not exist. It does not explain the effect that the Earth`s rotation.

It does not completely explain the confusion about Nature of Time.

Jim Snowdon

Clocks don`t measure time passing, clocks measure duration elapsing. Our conscious experience is of durations elapsing.

We evolved on a swiftly rotating planet! That rotation and our awareness of our surroundings allows us the sense of time passing.

Jim Snowdon

Julian Barbour`s essay on the Nature of Time in 2,008, established the definition of time. That is, that it does not exist. Since then, the subject has receded as if no one truly believed the result.

Time keeps entering the conversation, since it plays a fundamental role in a variety of Physic`s investigations.

There might be 2,000 movies and 5,000 books using time travel in their plots. It would be less confusing if we were to understand that there is not time present in the Universe!

There are no such things as co-existing past(s) or futures. We use the conceptual frameworks of past and future to reference with each other when events are planned or happen. Our records of events keeps track of time.

Jim Snowdon

Imagine floating in the blackness of space.

After a few hours, you might ask the time?

After a few day, you might ask what month it is?

Floating in your dark place, you might ponder whether time does really exist?

Jim Snowdon

Julian Barbour believes there is no tangible time.

There is no tangible time. What we have is the absence of tangible time.

We are unable to find time after a few thousand years of thinkers looking at the problem. We are unable to establish any work that time might do.

Why do we need time? We need it to plan our day and coordinate those plans with others.

We in fact, have been living without any help from time since forever.

Jim Snowdon

There is no past. Remnants of past events are present in the present.

Dinosaur bones are evidence of a past that once existed, that now exist in the present.

Jim Snowdon

Julian Barbour believes there is no co-existing future.

There is no evidence that a co-existing future exists.

Jim Snowdon

Time either exists or it doesn`t. There are only the two possibilities. Our highly developed technology has not yet found any physical evidence that time exists.

Take the Moon. Cold, lifeless, non-rotating, had we had evolved on the Moon, there`s not much reason we would think about time except for that we are conscious.

Jim Snowdon

With no evidence, we carry on believing in time as if it was expected? If the Earth didn`t rotate, would we still use the expression, `My isn`t time flying!`

It`s a yes or no, it`s 2021, we need to drop the assumption.

Steve Dufourny

Hi Jim, merry christmass to you and your familly, and a happy new year, without time :) friendly

Steve Dufourny

Hi Georgina, to you too a merry christmass and happy new year, regards

Jim Snowdon

Hi Steve,

Merry Xmas to you.

Jim Snowdon

If the Moon rotated as our Earth does, we would certainly believe in time. When travelling at a surface speed of 1,700 kilometers per hour, we would have no problem believing! Yet, if our Moon did not rotate, which it does not, would we believe time exists?

Jim Snowdon

Hi Steve,

What if you got what you asked for Xmas? A new stealth space ship the Americans aren`t being very open about.

You fly to your girlfriend`s house, pick her up, and head to the moon for a dinner engagement. Having dinner on the patio, you pop the question.

Do you believe in time?

You are hoping she does because you bought her a watch for Xmas.

Merry Xmas!

« Previous Page Next Page »