Incomplete geodesics in a singularity, do they warrant quantum concerns?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of incomplete geodesics in the context of singularities and whether this incompleteness suggests a transition from classical to quantum descriptions of space-time. The scope includes theoretical implications and conceptual clarifications regarding the nature of geodesics and singularities.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that the breakdown of the continuum at a singularity indicates a scale change from classical to quantum, questioning if space-time is necessarily geodesic incomplete at the quantum scale.
  • Others argue that all geodesics, whether complete or incomplete, are continuous and smooth, challenging the premise that incompleteness implies a breakdown of continuity.
  • One participant asserts that the singularity is not part of the manifold, suggesting that the manifold remains a valid continuous open set, which contradicts the initial premise of the discussion.
  • A later reply questions the appropriateness of personal speculation in the context of the discussion, leading to the closure of the thread.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not appear to reach consensus, as there are competing views regarding the implications of geodesic incompleteness and the nature of singularities.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes unresolved questions about the definitions of continuity and completeness in the context of geodesics and singularities, as well as the implications for quantum theories.

walkeraj
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Question: The idea of a continuum breaks down for a singularity when a geodesic become incomplete (the breaking of the idea that there was a continuous succession, where no part could be distinguished from neighboring parts, except by arbitrary division), and so with that does this indicate a scale change from classical to quantum? That is, is space-time necessarily geodesic incomplete at the quantum scale?
 
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walkeraj said:
Question: The idea of a continuum breaks down for a singularity when a geodesic become incomplete (the breaking of the idea that there was a continuous succession, where no part could be distinguished from neighboring parts, except by arbitrary division), and so with that does this indicate a scale change from classical to quantum? That is, is space-time necessarily geodesic incomplete at the quantum scale?
You question is not clear to me, but if you are talking about the continuity of the geodesic, then all geodesics, complete and incomplete, are continuous. If fact they are smooth as in differentiable.
 
walkeraj said:
The idea of a continuum breaks down for a singularity when a geodesic become incomplete
This is not correct. The "singularity" is not part of the manifold; the manifold itself is a perfectly valid continous open set.

The rest of your post is based on this invalid premise, and when that is corrected, your question is not well posed.
 
walkeraj said:
with that does this indicate a scale change from classical to quantum? That is, is space-time necessarily geodesic incomplete at the quantum scale?
This looks like personal speculation, which is off limits here.

This thread is now closed.
 

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