How valid is the Block Universe theory?

[DarkloidNeos]

TL;DR

Citing an article that makes it sound like established fact given Einstein

https://nautil.us/welcome-to-the-block-universe-1278973

From what Max Tegmark and others in the article are making it sound like the model is a done deal, but I know others on here have mentioned that it's not really testable. How valid is it truly? I mean I understand how the model represents time, though I kinda agree with the ending criticisms in that we are making the mistake of taking a "gods eye" of the universe as though we can observe the whole thing at once. And directly too I might add.

 

[Ibix]

It's an interpretation, so not testable as far as we know. It's far and away the most popular interpretation, and fits well with the maths, but others are possible.

 

[PeterDonis]

This Insights article might be relevant:

Insights Thread 'The Block Universe - Refuting a Common Argument - Comments'

Nov 13, 2015

PeterDonis submitted a new PF Insights post

The Block Universe - Refuting a Common Argument

Continue reading the Original PF Insights Post.

• PeterDonis
• Argument Block Block universe Universe
• Replies: 146
• Forum: Special and General Relativity

• 

 

[PeterDonis]

@DarkloidNeos the article you reference, unfortunately, is not just presenting the speculations or opinions of various physicists it quotes as established fact (which they're not), it's a mismash of different speculations or opinions, not all of which actually have anything to do with the block universe interpretation of special relativity at all. This is, I'm afraid, common in pop science articles of this sort.

One good quick check: if the article doesn't reference any actual textbooks or peer-reviewed papers, be very, very wary. This article fails that check--its only references are to other pop science articles on the same site.