Hi Hilmar,

I know objects in the universe cannot have absolute speeds, because of the strange properties of light and the lack of a reference point to which all objects in the know universe could be mapped, but for purposese of thinking about "what is time?", assume such a reference point had been found.

I think it is a mistake to use light as a measure in the definition of space/time. Although light is mans primary way of perceiving the universe, it is not the best tool to use; because, light is to slow in relation to the size of the universe. There is no way to get a snap shot of the universe at any point in time using light.

I believe time should be absolute rather than relative. The problem with light is there is no way to achieve instantaneousness between two points over huge distances in the universe, not to mention the distrotion of preception cause the observer traveling at diffenent speeds in relation to the constant speed of light. Light from a distant star might travel 300 million light years before we on earth see it. I lot can happen in 300 million light years, so what we are seeing is ancient history.

However, with the proper medium to observe the universe, we could get a point in the flow of time that instantaneously indicated the state, properties and location of everything in the universe at that point in time. I don't know exactly what could be used as a reference point to measure time, but certainly our solar system is inadequate.

It is much simpler to think of time as an absolute, rather than as a relative. Using time as a relative, tied to the speed of light, causes distortions of the reality of the universe. For example, two objects in different locations and distances traveling at different speeds as seen by an observer using the speed of light as his medium, must be reconciled back to their absolutes, because of the way light could make the objects appear to be moving faster or slower than their real speeds and real locations. The universe is not alter in this case. It is the observers perceptions of the universe that is altered. To the observer something may appear to be occurring slower or faster than its real absolute speed and location.

Here is an interesting article that gives more details:

At the bottom of the article are some interesting thoughts about the Ether.


http://homepage.sunrise.ch/homepage/schatzer/space-time.html