Alien Perception of Time: Can Time Go Backwards?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of time perception, particularly the idea that alien beings might experience time differently, potentially perceiving events before they occur. The inquiry is sparked by a claim made in a specific episode of "Through the Wormhole," leading to questions about the validity of such claims and their implications in the context of physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant references a claim from a "Through the Wormhole" episode suggesting that it may be possible for beings to perceive time non-linearly, experiencing events before they happen.
  • Another participant challenges the validity of the original claim, emphasizing the need for credible references, such as textbooks or peer-reviewed papers, rather than popular science sources.
  • There is a discussion about the analogy of observing distant astronomical events due to the finite speed of light, with one participant speculating whether a similar reasoning could apply to perceiving future events.
  • It is asserted that the future is fundamentally different from the past, countering the idea that future events could be perceived in the same way as past events.
  • One participant mentions that the notion of a predetermined space-time fabric is a specific interpretation of relativity and not a universally accepted aspect of physics.
  • A link to an Insights article is provided, which discusses the block universe theory, suggesting that previous discussions on this topic exist within the forum.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the validity of the claims made in the referenced episode, with some emphasizing the need for scientific rigor and others exploring speculative ideas. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the nature of time perception and the implications of the claims made.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations in the references provided, with a call for more rigorous scientific backing. There is also an acknowledgment of the complexity surrounding interpretations of relativity and time perception.

puzzled fish
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Can we please revive this thread with better references: My source for the Through The Wormhole Episodes is Wikipedia: Season 6 No. 2 : Can Time Go Backwards.
There is a Youtube link:
I was asking:
"In Through the Wormhole Episode no.2 of the 6th series named Can Time Go Backwards (it starts in the 6th minute what I am referring to), it is claimed by a university professor that it may be possible (especially by alien beings) to perceive and experience the passing of time not right now but minutes or hours afterwards, or even before now as we speak. And he illustrates this notion in a hockey game.
Is this true, because I find tremendous logical difficulties in believing this?"
My best guess to what he means is : as we can watch through a telescope events which happened a long time ago to take place right now before our eyes because of the limited speed of light by a similar reasoning (what?) maybe we can perceive future events as well because the whole space-time fabric is predetermined.
Thank you.
 
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puzzled fish said:
Can we please revive this thread with better references

Better references would be a textbook or peer-reviewed paper. Wikipedia's article on this series does not appear to link to any.

puzzled fish said:
My best guess to what he means

We could all make guesses as to what he means, but unless we have an actual valid reference--textbook or peer-reviewed paper--we have no way of confirming or disconfirming our guess. And we can't have a useful discussion here on PF based on just a guess. We need to be looking at some actual mainstream science. Pop science sources like this video are notorious for not ever giving references to the actual underlying science.

puzzled fish said:
as we can watch through a telescope events which happened a long time ago to take place right now before our eyes because of the limited speed of light by a similar reasoning (what?) maybe we can perceive future events as well

No, we can't, because the future is not the same as the past.

puzzled fish said:
because the whole space-time fabric is predetermined

This is a particular interpretation of relativity and is not required by the physics. We have had previous PF threads on this, as well as an Insights article (full disclosure: I wrote it):

https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/block-universe-refuting-common-argument/

See also the discussion thread on that article.
 
Since the reference given in the OP is still not valid, this thread will remain closed. @puzzled fish if you have questions about the Insights article I linked to you can post in that discussion thread or start a new thread based on those specific questions.
 

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