Discussing "Time for a Change: The Non-Existence of Time" by Lynds

In summary, Peter Lynds claims that time does not exist in any perspective, only in the physical continuity. He also argues that motion would not work without time. His essay has good general education value, but is not as interesting to read as other popular physics texts. Cam, despite agreeing with some of Lynds's statements, found the argument to be lacking in logic.
  • #1
cam875
228
0
I found this on the web, it was written by someone without formal physics education but I was wondering what some educated users here with a background in physics think about it. My problem with it is that he claims time doesn't exist in any perspective only this physical continuity but how can anything move since all motion is, is the amount of distance covered over a specific time interval. Also without time nothing would ever progress or evolve really from a beginning point and therefore nothing would change, also going along with why motion wouldn't work without time. I don't know maybe I missed the whole point of his essay but I am not too convinced over it. Discuss and enjoy.

Link: http://fqxi.org/data/essay-contest-files/Lynds_Time_for_a_Change__Th.pdf
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
cam875 said:
I found this on the web, it was written by someone...

That's Peter Lynds. He's well known. Probably everyone here has heard of him and many will have read some newspaper article about him or one of his writings.What you found was his entry in a wellpublicized essay contest, being conducted by FQXi.
The FXQi panel of judges have indicated they are about ready to announce the winners.
In case you are curious there is a thread about the FQXi Essay Contest here:
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=292645

Hey! I just saw a post of yours in another thread that indicates you might be a high school senior. or anyway taking senior math. I hope you have a good teacher and texts and are enjoying it!

From that standpoint I have to compliment you on your taste in picking Peter Lynds essay. It is entertaining with a lot of memorable quotes.
I don't know that it advances our understanding of the nature of time. But it has good general education value in the historical summaries and quotes and will definitely get people interested in the problem.
 
Last edited:
  • #3
I don't know that it advances our understanding of the nature of time.

I agree. Well written but for me not nearly as interesting as reading popular physics from a Brian Greene (Fabric of the Cosmos) or Micheo Kaku (Hyperspace) or Lee Smolin (The Trouble with Physics). I find their logic superior, explanations sinightful and far more profound...often puzzling in their implications.

Cam, if you can find a used copy/paperback (as I did) of any of these at Amazon or elswhere I'd highly recommend any books by those authors...

Also, consider Einsteins own book RELATIVITY at
http://www.bartleby.com/173/
available for free download! mostly high school math...


Time, space, and space-time too, as commonly conceived as actual physical things, do not exist. Physical continuity (i.e. the capability for events to be continuous), and as such, motion and change, do exist,

Statements like this seem superficially contradictory...and neither seems to me to stand on its own. There is no underlying, supporting logic. Events are continuous but their constituents don't exist??

While time may be a particularly frustrating enigma, so to is vacuum energy, mass, energy, space and just about everything else around us...is mass wave or particle based,etc,etc. where did all the antimatter go?? and on and on...hence my signature, below
 
  • #4
alright thanks and yes I am enjoying high school math and physics, chemistry is neat too lol, but biology sucked(dropped it). I have begun reading the elegant universe and am a little stuck still on relativity, trying to wrap my head around it. Ill take a look at some of those books u recommend including that nice one by einstein that should help with relativity, thanks a lot for the link.
 
  • #5
The Elegant Universe is also excellent...I have a copy...post any quotes (with page/chapter) you'd like to discuss here on physics forums...
 
  • #6
alright thanks, will do.
 

1. What is "Time for a Change: The Non-Existence of Time" by Lynds?

"Time for a Change: The Non-Existence of Time" is a scientific paper written by physicist Julian Barbour and mathematician Tim Maudlin, which presents a theory that challenges the traditional concept of time as a fundamental aspect of the universe.

2. What is the main argument presented in "Time for a Change: The Non-Existence of Time"?

The main argument of the paper is that time is not a fundamental concept, but rather an emergent property that arises from the interaction of events and our perception of them. This challenges the traditional view of time as a linear and universal entity.

3. How does Lynds support his theory of the non-existence of time?

Lynds supports his theory through a combination of mathematical equations and thought experiments. He also draws on examples from relativity and quantum mechanics to demonstrate how time can be seen as an emergent concept rather than a fundamental one.

4. What are the implications of the non-existence of time?

The implications of the non-existence of time are far-reaching and have the potential to change our understanding of the universe. It challenges our perception of the past, present, and future as distinct entities and raises questions about the nature of causality and free will.

5. Has the theory of the non-existence of time been widely accepted by the scientific community?

The theory of the non-existence of time has garnered a lot of attention and sparked debate within the scientific community. While some scientists find the arguments compelling and have incorporated them into their research, others remain skeptical and argue that time is a fundamental aspect of the universe. Further research and experimentation are needed to fully understand and potentially accept this theory.

Similar threads

I Trying To Conceptualize Two Dimensions Of Time
    • Beyond the Standard Models
Replies
2
Views
2K
I Integrity of matter / space and time
    • Other Physics Topics
Replies
13
Views
3K
B Balancing theories and empirical data, especially concerning string theory
    • Beyond the Standard Models
2
Replies
47
Views
4K
I SR textbooks discussing accelerated reference frames without delving into GR
    • Special and General Relativity
2
Replies
36
Views
2K
I Thoughts about this Bayesian Mechanics paper?
    • Quantum Interpretations and Foundations
Replies
3
Views
1K
B Absolute Time, I know its wrong and all but tell me if I got it right
    • Classical Physics
Replies
9
Views
825
I Changing curvature as a universe evolves
    • Cosmology
2
Replies
36
Views
3K
I Modeling Asteroid Rotation Using Quaternions: Seeking Guidance on Init
    • General Math
Replies
3
Views
708
A Spacelike additional time dimensions
    • Beyond the Standard Models
Replies
1
Views
1K
Nature of Time (FQXi competition & Rovelli's paper)
    • Beyond the Standard Models
2
Replies
35
Views
10K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top