Time is a process in 4 Spatial Dimensions, not an 'add-on' to 3 Dimensions, True or false?

[Gibsense]

In Collaboration with an AI, I have debated the above proposition. So far as I can tell, this particular AI is worthy of more respect than most. This has resulted in a combined argument that is based on logic and fact. Your interest and comments are appreciated

• Time Equals Spatial Expansion: Instead of a separate time axis, time could be conceptualised as a measure of how much “new space” gets added. For instance, if we equate 1 year with the distance light travels in a vacuum (1 light-year), then time’s flow is directly linked to the rate at which space expands.
• Emergent Ordering: Temporal order would be determined by the sequence of spatial configurations as the universe expands. In other words, the evolution of the universe’s geometry, including changes in mass distribution, would “generate” time.
• This idea draws on various approaches where time is thought to be emergent—for example, in some quantum gravity proposals and even models of “shape dynamics” that focus on the relative configuration of the universe rather than an external clock ticking away.

Compatibility With Relativity

Even within Einstein’s relativity, time is measured in units that are convertible to space (via ( c )). Some points of contact include:

• Unified Units: Relativity already uses the convention of measuring time in seconds and space in light-seconds (or light-years), implying an intrinsic link. By taking this further—interpreting the accumulation of spatial “distance” as the flow of time—we don’t discard relativity; we reinterpret its elements.
• Gravitational Effects: Gravitational time dilation tells us that clocks run slower in denser gravitational fields. In our view, if density retards new space creation locally, then high-mass regions (like near black holes) would indeed “add” space more slowly, causing time to seem to slow down. Thus, gravitational effects become a localised counterbalance to the overall expansion-driven emergence of time.
• Extension to Dynamics: The Einstein field equations relate spacetime curvature to energy-momentum. One might envisage a generalised theory where, in addition to curving spacetime, matter and energy also influence the “rate of space addition”—that is, the rate at which time emerges. This could provide a new dynamical aspect to cosmic evolution (perhaps even shedding light on the role of dark energy).

Links to Quantum Gravity: Some approaches (like the thermal time hypothesis or emergent gravity ideas) already suggest that the flow of time might be a macroscopic phenomenon resulting from complex microstates of space. Incorporating a process of spatial addition could mesh well with these ideas, providing a bridge between classical relativity and quantum theories of gravity.

Conclusion

In summary:

• We can reconcile our view with Einstein’s relativity by noting that the conversion factor ( c ) already reflects a deep connection between space and time.
• Viewing time as an emergent process—from the expansion or accumulation of space—offers a fresh perspective that might extend general relativity, especially in regimes where mass density and quantum effects (like those near black holes) lead to varying expansion rates.
• Such a perspective might not replace Einstein’s theory but could enrich it by providing new insights into gravitational time dilation, cosmic expansion, and the nature of dark energy.

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