Can Data Travel Faster Than Light Computation?

In summary, data can't travel faster than the speed of light. If it was sent far enough at the speed of light and bounced back would the data be younger?No. Data, in the form of electromagnetic radiation (aka light), is sent at the speed of light. If it was sent far enough at the speed of light and bounced back would the data be younger?No. Data, in the form of electromagnetic radiation (aka light), is sent at the speed of light. It's not clear what you mean by the data being younger?If the data traveled at the speed of light for long enough would the data have an age differential?It's a casual question just picking your brains which is the point.Good night and
  • #1
Gary101
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TL;DR Summary
Data time advantage? Compute data faster? Data faster than light.
Hi bear with me I have a conundrum I want to ask you. If data traveled many times the speed of light could the results of decrypted cypher message be computed quicker than any system we currently have? For instance if we sent a burst of data at many times the speed of light across the solar system that was then bounced back to us would the data be younger than we could possible compute and therefore have a data time advantage?
 
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  • #2
You can't send information faster than the speed of light.
 
  • #3
If it was sent far enough at the speed of light and bounced back would the data be younger?
 
  • #4
Gary101 said:
If it was sent far enough at the speed of light and bounced back would the data be younger?
No. Data, in the form of electromagnetic radiation (aka light), is sent at the speed of light. It's not clear what you mean by the data being younger?
 
  • #5
I was under the impression that if you travel at the speed of light for long enough you age slower?
 
  • #6
Gary101 said:
I was under the impression that if you travel at the speed of light for long enough you age slower?
You can only travel at below light speed, which may lead to differential ageing. Light doesn't age as it travels in any sense. And, data doesn't change depending on the speed it is transmitted.
 
  • #7
Do you mean the data doesn't physically change or the time you receive it doesn't change?
 
  • #8
Gary101 said:
Do you mean the data doesn't physically change or the time you receive it doesn't change?
If I send you a paper letter and an email with the same message, then you'll (probably) receive the email before the letter. But, the message is the same.
 
  • #9
Yes the content of the message wouldn't differ but would the time advantage be quicker than any system we currently have?
 
  • #10
Gary101 said:
Yes the content of the message wouldn't differ but would the time advantage be quicker than any system we currently have?
What time advantage?
 
  • #11
If the data traveled at the speed of light for long enough would the data have an age differential?
 
  • #12
Gary101 said:
If the data traveled at the speed of light for long enough would the data have an age differential?
No, but it would take longer to get to you if I, for example, bounced a signal off of a mirror on the moon to get from DC to Chicago instead of sending it directly.

You really not barking up the wrong tree with this so much as you are barking up a tree that doesn't even exist. Study some basic physics.
 
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  • #13
Gary101 said:
If the data traveled at the speed of light for long enough would the data have an age differential?
Data doesn't have an age in that sense.
 
  • #14
It's a casual question just picking your brains which is the point.
 
  • #15
Good night and thanks for the replies PeroK
 

1. Can data travel faster than the speed of light?

No, according to Einstein's theory of relativity, nothing can travel faster than the speed of light. This includes data, as it is transmitted through electromagnetic waves which are subject to the speed of light limit.

2. Is there any evidence that data can travel faster than light?

No, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that data can travel faster than light. In fact, numerous experiments and observations have consistently shown that the speed of light is the ultimate speed limit in our universe.

3. How does the speed of light affect data transmission?

The speed of light plays a crucial role in data transmission as it determines the maximum speed at which information can be sent and received. This is why the development of high-speed data transfer technologies, such as fiber optics, have been focused on maximizing the speed of light.

4. Are there any theories that suggest data can travel faster than light?

There are some theories, such as quantum entanglement, that propose the possibility of instantaneous communication over vast distances. However, these theories are still highly debated and have not been proven to be true.

5. Can advancements in technology allow data to travel faster than light in the future?

It is highly unlikely that technology will ever allow data to travel faster than the speed of light. As mentioned before, the speed of light is a fundamental limit in our universe, and it would require a complete overhaul of our understanding of physics to surpass it.

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