Black Holes & Time: Literal or Figurative?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the nature of time dilation near black holes, specifically whether it is a literal or figurative phenomenon. Participants explore the implications of a man falling toward a black hole and how he perceives time relative to an outside observer. The consensus indicates that while the observer sees the man slow down as he approaches the event horizon (EH), the man himself does not experience this slowing; instead, he perceives time normally. The conversation emphasizes the distinction between optical effects caused by intense gravity and the actual experience of time for the falling individual.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of general relativity and its implications on time dilation
  • Familiarity with black hole physics, particularly event horizons
  • Knowledge of observational effects in gravitational fields
  • Basic concepts of spacetime and its curvature
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  • Research the effects of time dilation in general relativity using Einstein's equations
  • Explore the concept of event horizons and their implications on time perception
  • Study gravitational lensing and its role in optical effects near black holes
  • Investigate the experiences of hypothetical observers near black holes through simulations
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Astronomers, physicists, and anyone interested in the complexities of black hole mechanics and the nature of time in extreme gravitational fields.

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Okay, this is me beating a dead horse, but i have a rather simple question.

Is the time dilation effect described in reference to a black hole literal or figurative?

for example, a man falling toward a black hole will appear to slow as he approaches the EH. This effect obviously increases exponentially in inverse relation to the distance of the man to the black hole (and i assume in direct proportion to the distance between the man and his observer)

Would the man also experience the universe "accelerating" in velocity as he slows in relation to the outside observer, or would he simple not notice anything different? I think my real question is, is the appearance of suspension of the falling body simply an optical effect produced by the intense gravity decreasing the rate at which energy can reach an outside observer, or is it LITERAL slowing of time in the frame of the falling body from the perspective of the observer and observed?

Example...

You suspend a man on an unbreakable cord and lower him toward a black hole from a safe distance. You lower him to within a very small distance of the EH (assume the BH is large enough that tidal forces are a non-issue. He is suspended there for 100 year in "real time" and then pulled back in. What would he experience of that time? Would he experience the first 7 days then die, or would he literally experience only moments and witness the universe age 100 years in that time?
 
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thanks for the link. I'll read it. Looks like it's going to take a while.
 

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