In traditional physics, spacetime is often depicted as a "fabric" that can be deformed by massive objects, much like a rubber sheet stretched under weight. This image, however, is a metaphor that can obscure our understanding of how space and time actually function. Here, we'll explore a more nuanced relational model of spacetime—one in which gravity is the result of the contraction of spatial relations, and time is not a "passing" phenomenon, but rather the dimension of process unfolding in relation to these spatial configurations.
Space as Relations, Not Fabric
In our model, space is not a static "fabric" that can be indented. Instead, space exists as a network of potential relations between objects. These relations are instantiated when objects (such as particles or bodies) exist within space. The distances between them are not fixed in a geometric sense; they emerge as a consequence of the objects' interaction with one another.
When we consider gravity in this context, we do not view it as a force acting upon objects in space. Rather, we see gravity as a result of the contraction of space—the way the spatial relations between objects become compressed in the presence of mass. This compression is not a physical "dent" in the fabric of space but a transformation of spatial relations themselves. The closer two objects are to one another, the more contracted the spatial relations are, and this contraction can be thought of as the gravitational well.
Time as the Dimension of Process
In our relational model, time is not a separate entity that "passes" or "flows." Instead, it is the dimension along which processes unfold. Rather than seeing time as an external clock ticking away, we view it as an integral part of the unfolding relations between objects. The movement of objects, changes in their configuration, and the unfolding of events can be described in terms of this dimension.
When we look at how objects interact, the flow of these interactions gives us the impression of time. But it is not the passage of time itself that influences these interactions. Rather, it is the unfolding of processes as relationships between objects become instantiated and evolve.
Gravitational Wells and Observers
To understand how this works, let's consider the concept of a gravitational well. In the traditional view, a massive object like a planet or star creates a depression in the fabric of spacetime, and other objects fall into this depression due to gravity. But in our relational model, the gravitational well is not a physical indentation. It is the compression of the spatial relations between objects. The closer an object is to the massive body, the more contracted the relations between them become, leading to an apparent force we perceive as gravity.
This contraction is not uniform across all observers. The way an observer perceives the gravitational well depends on their own position and movement relative to the object in question. For an observer moving in the vicinity of a massive object, the perception of time and space will be influenced by the relative contraction of the spatial relations they experience. This is where the notion of time dilation, often discussed in relation to gravity, fits into our model: the process of observing and interacting with compressed spatial relations can make time seem to move differently for different observers.
Conclusion
The relational model of spacetime emphasises the idea that both space and time are not fixed, independent entities but are emergent properties based on the relations between objects. Gravity, in this model, arises from the contraction of spatial relations, and time is the dimension in which these relational processes unfold. By abandoning the metaphor of time "passing" and thinking of time as a measure of unfolding relations, we gain a more consistent and intuitive understanding of how space, time, and gravity work together in our universe.
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