Podcast Summary
The nature of time: a construct or a reality?: Time is a construct used to understand and calculate events in the universe, but its true existence is debated among scientists and philosophers
Time, as we understand it, is not infinite but had a beginning, as evidenced by the Big Bang theory. Our understanding of time is based on how it makes motion appear simpler in physics, and it is essential for making calculations and predictions about the universe. A comedian, Chuck Nice, shared his personal hypothesis that time does not exist, but it is more accurately described as a concept or construct that helps us make sense of the world. Einstein also viewed time as a human construct, but the focus in physics is on how the universe reveals itself to us, rather than debating the true existence of time.
Our perception of time as infinite in the future but not the past and the Chuck theory's proposal of time as a construct: Our understanding of time as infinite in one direction but not the other challenges the Chuck theory's suggestion that time might not exist at all. Space explorers rely on reliable phenomena to measure time.
Time, as we understand it, is semi-infinite in the sense that it extends infinitely in one direction (the future) but not the past. This concept, known as "semi-infinity," is like a number line that starts at a point and continues indefinitely. Meanwhile, the Chuck theory proposes that time may not exist at all, but rather is a construct based on the existence of things to measure it. This theory challenges our perception of time, suggesting it may have no meaning in certain contexts or realms beyond our universe. For practical purposes, people in space would measure time using reliable phenomena that repeat, such as atomic vibrations or the movement of celestial bodies.
Keeping Time in Space: A Complex Issue: Astronauts keep different time zones based on their location and mission requirements, while a space colony could create its own time system.
Keeping time in space is a complex issue as it depends on the specific location and the needs of the spacefarers. For instance, astronauts on the International Space Station keep the time of their home countries, while those on Mars use Mars time due to the planet's longer day. Apollo astronauts communicated with mission control in Houston, which became their time reference. If a space colony were established far from Earth, the colonists could create their own days unrelated to Earth's rotation. The Earth's 360 degrees are split into 24 time zones, each approximately 15 degrees wide, but this concept loses meaning at the poles where all time zones converge. Overall, keeping time in space requires careful consideration of the specific circumstances and needs of the spacefarers.
Time perception changes based on physical state and environment: Studies suggest living in a 25-hour day can make us feel rushed, time slows down for us as we approach the speed of light, and neutrinos keep track of time to change species.
Time perception can vary based on our physical state and environment. For instance, studies suggest that if we were living in a 25-hour day, we might feel like we're constantly playing catch-up. Furthermore, according to Einstein's theory of relativity, as we approach the speed of light, time slows down for us. Photons, being particles of light, exist at the speed of light and thus, their clocks don't tick. This means that if we were photons, we would experience an absence of time. Additionally, neutrinos, which can change species mid-flight, cannot be traveling at the speed of light because they need to keep track of time to make these transitions. These findings challenge our perception of time and its constancy.
Exploring Tachyons and Decimalized Time: The concept of tachyons, hypothetical particles that travel faster than the speed of light, remains uncertain despite being consistent with Einstein's relativity. The French Revolution attempted to decimalize time, but it was unsuccessful. The idea of simplifying time measurement through decimalization is intriguing.
The discussion explored the concept of tachyons, hypothetical particles that can travel faster than the speed of light and move backwards in time. This idea is consistent with Einstein's relativity, but their existence remains uncertain. Another intriguing topic touched upon was the decimalization of time during the French Revolution, which was attempted but ultimately unsuccessful. Despite the failure, the idea of decimalizing time is fascinating and could potentially simplify our understanding of time measurement. Additionally, Jeff Sloan's question about the Big Bang being caused by something traveling faster than the speed of light was debunked, as the Nobel Peace Prize is not awarded for discoveries in physics.
Description of Cherenkov radiation and its discovery: Cherenkov radiation is a light phenomenon caused by a particle moving faster than the speed of light in a medium, but it doesn't occur during the big bang or if Earth's rotation is reversed.
Cherenkov radiation is the light equivalent of a sonic boom that occurs when a particle travels through a medium faster than the speed of light. This phenomenon was first described by physicist Pavel Cherenkov and led him to win a Nobel Prize. However, the universe expanding during the big bang is not the same as a medium through which light travels faster than the speed of light, so Cherenkov radiation does not occur during the big bang. Additionally, if Superman were to reverse the Earth's rotation, gravity would not shift, and time would not rewind. Instead, the Earth and its inhabitants would experience a drastic change in their environment, including extreme temperatures and potentially catastrophic consequences.
What if Superman reversed Earth's rotation?: Superman's ability to manipulate time raises intriguing questions about the consequences of reversing Earth's rotation, leading to theories of time travel instead.
According to the discussion, if Superman were to spin the Earth backwards, everything on the Earth would roll due east at the same speed as the Earth was rotating before the spin. This would result in a massive planetary "auto accident," but time and gravity would remain unchanged. However, Clarissa Wagner proposed an alternative theory, suggesting that Superman himself traveled back in time instead of reversing the Earth's rotation. The conversation between Clarissa and Theo was not part of the initial discussion, but it highlights the intrigue and curiosity surrounding the implications of Superman's ability to manipulate time. Ultimately, the discussion underscores the fascination with the possibilities of time travel and the potential consequences of altering the Earth's rotation.
Looking back into time through space: Theoretically, we can observe past events in real time by observing the light they emit, which takes time to reach us, effectively allowing us to look back in time.
Through the discussion, it was revealed that it's theoretically possible to see the past in real time using a mirror placed at a specific distance from Earth. This concept, known as "looking back into time," was explained using the example of a galaxy 65 million light years away, which is currently observing the extinction of the dinosaurs on Earth. The idea is that the light from past events takes time to reach us, and by observing this light, we can effectively look back in time. However, the mirror example given in the discussion had a misunderstanding, as it would actually show events 44 years in the past, not 22. Despite this, the overall concept remains intriguing and demonstrates the fascinating interplay between space, time, and our ability to observe the universe.
The perception of time is universal and measured by atomic vibrations: Universal time is measured by atomic vibrations, challenging our understanding of time's true nature and its potential quantization
Despite popular speculation, the perception of time is not subjective for all organisms or beings, but rather, it is universal and measured by the atomic vibrations of atoms. Time cannot exist without motion, and while it may be quantized on the smallest scales, there is no evidence to suggest that it is broken into little bits. Additionally, as we delve deeper into the mysteries of the universe, phenomena like black holes challenge our understanding of time, with time ticking more slowly for those falling into them while the rest of the universe continues to progress at a normal pace.
Understanding the sequence of events: The concept of sequencing events is essential for making sense of the world, whether it's in our personal lives or the universe at large.
Before the concept of time keeping as we know it, people would sequence events to understand the ordering of life. This concept of sequencing is what allows us to make sense of the world around us, even without measuring the intervals between events. When it comes to the universe, time only exists within it, and if we were to go outside of it, we would need to come up with a new concept to keep track of things. The universe itself acts as a time machine, allowing us to see the remnants of the big bang through telescopes, looking far enough away. So, whether it's understanding the sequence of events in our personal lives or the vast expanse of the universe, the concept of sequence remains a fundamental way to make sense of the world around us.
