Living Beyond Possible: Could I Age Less Than Earth?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of time dilation as it relates to traveling at high speeds away from Earth. Participants explore the implications of traveling at 100,000 m/s for a year and whether this could result in aging less than those remaining on Earth. The scope includes theoretical considerations of relativity and practical challenges associated with such travel.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether traveling at 100,000 m/s for a year would result in aging less than those on Earth, suggesting that this could allow for living significantly longer relative to Earth time.
  • Another participant agrees that time dilation would occur but notes that the required speed for significant dilation would need to be much closer to the speed of light.
  • A participant emphasizes that while the concept is intriguing, practical issues such as energy requirements and the dangers of space debris would prevent such travel from being feasible.
  • Concerns are raised about the potential catastrophic effects of colliding with even small particles while traveling at high speeds.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the theoretical basis of time dilation but express disagreement regarding the feasibility of traveling at the proposed speed and the implications for aging. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the practical application of these concepts.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the dependence on theoretical models of relativity, assumptions about constant speed travel, and unresolved practical challenges related to high-speed space travel.

lewis1440
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Q.) If i were to travel at 100,000 m/s in an exact horizontal line away from Earth for approximately 1 year, when i return would everyone on Earth have aged older than me? If so, and traveling 100,000 m/s is possible for a year constant, then could i not live for 100 *earth years* without aging even a fraction of what i should have?
 
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welcome to pf!

hi lewis1440! welcome to pf! :wink:
lewis1440 said:
If so, and traveling 100,000 m/s is possible for a year constant, then could i not live for 100 *earth years* without aging even a fraction of what i should have?

that's correct :smile:

but you'd need to go a lot faster: the time dilation factor is only √(1 - (v/c)2), so you'd need v/c to be very nearly 1 :wink:
 
lewis1440 said:
Q.) If i were to travel at 100,000 m/s in an exact horizontal line away from Earth for approximately 1 year, when i return would everyone on Earth have aged older than me? If so, and traveling 100,000 m/s is possible for a year constant, then could i not live for 100 *earth years* without aging even a fraction of what i should have?

Welcome! I'd add that, just in case you're not sure: your own experience would be "normal" from your perspective; it's only as you've very properly said: you age a particular way in relation to (in this case) earth.

I have to say, reading the title of this thread I was worried, but that's a good question.
 
But don't get excited with the possibility of actually taking advantage of extending your life this way. It still will never happened due to many practical problems, not the least of which is the energy involved but also when traveling through space at very high relative speeds, you will impact lots of space debris that will utterly destroy your spaceship.
 
ghwellsjr said:
But don't get excited with the possibility of actually taking advantage of extending your life this way. It still will never happened due to many practical problems, not the least of which is the energy involved but also when traveling through space at very high relative speeds, you will impact lots of space debris that will utterly destroy your spaceship.

Shields up! :wink:

Kidding aside, I'd hate to impact a proton going at that speed, never mind a bit of hydrogen dust. A pebble would be... bad.
 

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