Faster than light travel proved sort off

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of faster-than-light travel and its implications in the context of relativity, particularly general and special relativity. Participants explore the nature of speed, reference frames, and the theoretical limits of acceleration in relation to light speed.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that speed is a meaningless concept without a fixed reference point, proposing that distant objects could be moving faster than light relative to Earth.
  • Another participant counters that the speed of light is constant in all reference frames, emphasizing that speed is not irrelevant but depends on the chosen frame of reference.
  • Some participants discuss the impossibility of accelerating to light speed, noting that relativistic velocity addition means one cannot reach or exceed the speed of light.
  • There is mention of blueshifting and recession velocity, with a question about whether these concepts are being conflated in the discussion.
  • Participants express uncertainty about how special relativity addresses objects that may appear to move faster than light, questioning the implications of time dilation in such scenarios.
  • Some participants assert that while speed can be context-dependent, the maximum speed limit of light remains meaningful across all reference frames.
  • Questions arise about the nature of acceleration and its limits if speed is only meaningful in relation to other bodies.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus, with multiple competing views on the nature of speed, reference frames, and the implications of relativity for faster-than-light travel. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the interpretation of these concepts.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the dependence on definitions of speed and reference frames, as well as unresolved questions about the implications of special and general relativity for distant objects and their perceived velocities.

  • #61
Well, I believe some day to come, the constancy of c would be demystified with reasonable evidence.
 
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  • #62
I just noticed, after reading Dale Spam's remark, that mark_gg had reposted to a thread two years old!

In any case, Darko M, what do you mean by "demystified"? I was not aware that "the constancy of c" was at all "mystified" and there is plenty of evidence.
 

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