Dear Ray Munroe,
You wrote: 'It truly seems impossible to remove space-time from a void'.
I have the following arguments against: 1) I use the notion 'remove space-time from a void' for macroscopic explanation of this phenomenon only. Really I remove all MATTER from a volume, not space-time. For example if a particle strikes another particle, one leaves its volume at near-luminal speed with creation of absolute vacuum. You see, I removed the MATTER (a particle) from a volume, not the space-time. However, since this process creates an absolute vacuum (a hole in space-time), I wrote that I can remove the space-time. Although both definitions are correct, really I remove the matter, not space-time (but I obtain an absolute vacuum!)
Besides, the notion 'remove space-time' violates our common sense only because we do not see such processes at home. However, quantum mechanics also violates the common sense; meanwhile it is a correct theory. We cannot judge the quantum mechanical phenomena using our macroscopic home common sense. If holes are able to explain physics phenomena and experiment prove it, consequently holes really exist.
2) Descartes was a great philosopher and I'm sure his method really works: 'it being absolutely contradictory that nothing should possess extension'. There is the distance (extension property) between the walls of the vacuum chamber? If means the vacuum chamber is not empty. If to remove from a vessel all the body contained in it, without permitting another body to occupy its place, the sides of the vessel would thus come into proximity with each other. It means that inside of vessel disappear both extension and time properties (space-time disappears). To remove the matter instantly from a volume, I propose the processes as annihilations, decays and inelastic scattering. There initial particles 'disappears' instantly from a volume and a holes must appear. We can test it experimentally by help of two atomic clocks: the holes are accompanied always by the time dilation effect. It means that near the colliders and atomic power plants must appear the time dilation effect.
You wrote: 'Even if you could remove space-time in a quantum burst, it would not be stable. One should expect the Dirac Sea to rush in and quickly fill any transient void with matter-anti-matter pairs.'
You are right; holes are filled quickly by environment. The absolute vacuum have lifetime of order 10^-24 s. However, the speed of motion of these matter-anti-matter pairs is limited by the speed of light c, therefore the lifetime of holes is non-zero. Since the lifetime of hole is nonzero, consequently holes are real objects. We can detect, create holes and use it in technology.
You wrote: Perhaps it is more reasonable to try to travel on the expected wave disturbance that follows one of these collapsing voids.
You are right; we can travel on the expected wave disturbance. But the efficiency is very low; we must create a lot of holes every second to propel the spaceship. Besides, the speed of such kind of motion is limited by the speed of light. However, I know a more efficient travel method as hole teleportation. This method requires a small quantity of holes only for creation of closed surface after that the body is teleported to a random point in the universe. The distance between the start and finish points cannot exceed 13 billions light years. It is the most efficient, fast, comfortable and economic travel method!
'Yet still, there are those great astronomical Voids. Are they permanent rifts in spacetime that continually expel spacetime? Did matter clump in unexpected ways throughout our Universe? Do black holes and matter warp our observed light such that we think we see voids that aren't really present?'
I'll explain all these questions in my next essay/publication; I have my own theory of cosmology. Meanwhile, in my view the great astronomical Voids as Eridanus Supervoid do not consist of the absolute Descartes vacuum; the great astronomical Voids are able to expel the matter. The great astronomical Voids are real 'Voids'; since we see the sheets of galaxies, we must see also Voids between them. The sheets of galaxies cannot exist without voids.
In conclusion, we must test the Descartes ideas about vacuum for following reasons:
1)It is the low-cost experiment; We need two atomic (cesium) clocks for 3 - 5 months only.
2) These experiments could open New Physics beyond the Standard Model. These experiments could prove the hole teleportation theory. We need two identical clocks; the clock placed near a collider or atomic power plant must tick slower concerning control clocks placed far outside. The appearance of time dilation effect near the collider or atomic power plant will be a proof for existence of hole radiation. Also I can show other experimental evidences for holes: the existence of length contraction effects near the collider or atomic power plant. I can show also how a Descartes vessel collapses; I can show experimentally the teleportation of particles using absolute vacuum.
It is easier to create holes in space-time than exotic matter for wormholes / Alcubierre warp drive.
Sincerely, Constantin Leshan