Time Travel! koo beanz
While time travel may seem like a phenomenon found only in movies like Back to the Future and The Terminator, science reveals this may not be the case.
According to physicists, real-life time travel can occur within a kind of feedback loop where backward movement is possible, but only in a way that is "complementary" to the present. In other words, people can only go back in time and look around but cannot do anything that would alter the present they left behind.
Debunking the Time Travel Paradox
One of the biggest myths surrounding time travel is the idea that if one goes back in time they could, theoretically, do something to change the present. The new model, which uses the laws of quantum mechanics, tosses that famous paradox out the window.
Clearly the present has never been changed by roguish time-travelers, simply due to the fact that people don't suddenly fade out of existence because a rerun of events has prevented their births. Therefore, time travel is either:
* Simply not possible.
* Or, something is acting to prevent any backward movement from changing the present.
While the former option may seem the most logical, Einstein's general theory of relativity has led physicists to suspect the latter.
Using Einstein's Theory of Relativity
According to Einstein, space-time can curve back on itself, allowing time-travelers to double back and meet the younger versions of themselves. A team of physicists from the United States and Australia claim this situation can only be the case if there are physical restrictions protecting the present from changes in the past.
These restrictions exist because of the weird laws of quantum mechanics, though (traditionally) they don't account for a backward movement in time. Quantum behavior is ruled by probabilities:
Before something has actually been observed, there are many other possibilities regarding its state; however, once its state has been measured, those possibilities are cut down to only one, eliminating all uncertainty.
To put it plainly, quantum mechanics discerns between something that might happen and something that did happen. For example, if someone doesn't know if their father is alive--if there is only a 90 percent chance he is alive--then there is a possibility one can go back in time and kill him. But, if one's father is alive in present time, then there is no chance he can be killed in the past.
Ahh, the mysteries of quantum mechanics ...
11 comments:
Have you seen the movie "What the bleep do we know?" ?
I actually haven't. But I'm kinda thinking the same thing, what the bleep do we really know? Though all the same I agree with Loxy there - interesting.
You probably can get it from the nearest video club. Its about quantum physics, but in a really different perspective. Its a documentary on the religious and philosophical implications of quantum physics.
Yes I have seen that! Great movie. If you have any questions regarding quantum field, it will really help you get a grasp on the complexity. It also does a pretty good job tieing together science and religion... well, as best it really can anyways.
And the movie's got great graphics too!
Btw Emma. I totally did a post about time and loops yesterday too.. and I didn't even read your blog until today!
Hows that for some spooky multi-dimensional quantum physics phenomenon??
"What the bleep do we know?" says that physical reality only exists because you unconsciously choose it, and using your mental and emotional energy, you can create a different reality. The movie tries to explain that it works by quantum mechanics, but most scientists don't believe that it works that way.
mike: true. And even those who do believe it have their doubts at some point. But it's better to admit a new possibility than to just deny what seems strange. Had Einstein not used the damned constant and how far could he have gone? Not trying to convert anyone, here... most of all because I don't believe it is as simple as the movie tries to show, still I think it is a great movie.
The movie tried to use quantum mechanics to prove certain psychic abilities, but from what I know about it, it doesn't mean that you can change reality with your mind. Maybe people can do that, but their explanation of it doesn't show that they can, because even if those many potential basketballs choose a position to be in when you look at it, that doesn't mean that you can influence where it will end up. And people agree on where the basketball ends up. If people can control their reality, why is it the same for everyone?
From a philosophical perspective, the movie is troubling for me, because I think it teaches that happiness comes from being able to make the world into the place you want it to be. Its about having power and control. Its not that different from making magic love potions to get someone to fall in love with you. Even if you could do that, would it really be the path to happiness and fulfillment?
Mike:
Two words: balance; too.
The observer doesn't make everything, albeit he has some influence. The balance of all influences makes the future, or one of the futures.
A sentence they use several times “you are God TOO”, not ‘Bruce Almighty’, just another God.
But if you’d like to know more about their theory, instead of asking a non-believer like me, get the film, check their names and mail them. They will probably answer back.
Emma:
sorry for blogging your blog...
Time Travel, I am not sure how many understand physics that very well, I sure dont. I am reminded of Prof. Eddington's remark when asked "Sir, it is said that apart from Einstein, only two people could understand Theory of Relativity. Is it true?" Prof. Eddington looked at the reporter and said "I wonder who the third person is."
Well that was a different time, different age. I am sure many understand it now. I don't. Tried many time, but could not. I guess its a specialized subject. However, two things I have always fancied.
1.) The the length contraction and inrease in mass, why can there not be a constant that can come into play for speeds matching the speed of the light? We have not reached there, so how do we know? I know there have been experiments with elementary particles and they have reached the speed of the light, but more on this if we decide to debate it.
2.) Light bends. That tells that there can be a case of mass having the speed of light. Elementary thought really.
Nice post BTW.
haha, well this has been very educational... don't worry I don't mind you guys using my blog for discussion, dcver - saves ME having to do my own research outside my 'own backyard'. This is definitely a subject I know very little about (one of the many) and one that I don't mind familiarizing myself with - just to be 'in the know'. Although I think I have a ways to go.
Kristina: see we're totally "multi-dimensionally quantum physics phenomenally" connected!
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