Does Cosmic inflation cause spacetime to move?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the nature of spacetime in relation to cosmic inflation and the Big Bang. Participants explore whether spacetime itself moves or flows during inflation, and how this relates to theories of multiverses and the structure of the universe.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether inflation occurred through spacetime without affecting it, or if it caused spacetime to move outward.
  • Another participant suggests that spacetime should not be viewed as an independent entity, arguing that the Big Bang created spacetime itself.
  • A different viewpoint emphasizes that spacetime is a framework for labeling positions of objects rather than something that can flow or move.
  • There is a discussion about Einstein's theory that outside our universe there is no spacetime, raising questions about the nature of multiverses and whether they consist of matter alone or include spacetime.
  • One participant introduces the idea of bubble universes forming from regions of inflationary decay, suggesting that these bubbles may not be causally connected.
  • Another participant acknowledges the idea of bubble universes but notes the lack of observational evidence to support it.
  • There is a mention of potential observational evidence that was once considered but is now uncertain due to possible contamination from dust.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of spacetime and its relationship to cosmic inflation. There is no consensus on whether spacetime moves with inflation or remains static, and the discussion includes multiple competing theories regarding the structure of the universe.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various theoretical frameworks and assumptions about spacetime and inflation, but these are not fully resolved within the discussion. The implications of multiverse theories and the nature of observational evidence are also noted as areas of uncertainty.

Natsirt
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I've thought about this a lot and have tried to find the answer but have been unsuccessful. In the event of the big bang did it inflate through spacetime without effecting it other than warping by mass or did it actually cause the spacetime to flow or move outwards with the inflation?
 
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I'm sorry you are not generating any responses at the moment. Is there any additional information you can share with us? Any new findings?
 
You are thinking of space time as some sort of independent entity, an aether so to speak. It is not. The BB created space time, so obviously, it could not move 'through' it.
 
Natisrt, it may be more helpful to think of spacetime as a way of labeling the positions of objects in space and time, not as an "aether" or something which can move and flow.
 
Well I'm asking because Einstein theorized that outside of our universe there is no spacetime. Then you have so many theories of multi verses and how our universe could be a bubble, is that theoretical bubble just a group of matter or a bubble of matter and spacetime?
 
Natsirt said:
Then you have so many theories of multi verses and how our universe could be a bubble, is that theoretical bubble just a group of matter or a bubble of matter and spacetime?

in one case, something like:

the bubbles: areas where the inflaton has decayed from a false vacuum to the ground state where it's no longer going through a super inflationary state

you start with an inflationary universe, different regions decay as above at different times forming non-casually connected "bubble universes", new ones keep 'popping' up (all sorts of things to work through to find it goes forever and regarding collisions or not, etc.)
 
Great idea, it merely lacks any observational evidence.
 
Chronos said:
Great idea, it merely lacks any observational evidence.

yet

Heck, they almost had some, although now they can't be sure it wasn't just dust.
 

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