30. Preliminary Investigation into the Nature of Time
Richard Lighthouse
Creative Commons 4.0 International License; 2020 by Richard Lighthouse.
CC BY 4.0
Please acknowledge source. RLighthouse.com
ISBN: 9781311832986
The author specifically denies, disclaims, and does not agree to – retroactive changes in the Smashwords Terms of Service Agreement. This text applies to all material and documents published by this author.
WARNING: The NSA has likely placed electronic tracking tags in this document. Please consider printing for distribution.
Revision --30c--
Houston, Texas, U.S.A.
17 February 2014
18 August 2010 - original
Preliminary Investigation into the Nature of Time
“You have no idea of the difficulties involved in explaining time to
someone who must take time to try and understand the explanation.”
- Seth, Session 14, 1964
Abstract
Quantum field theories dictate that spacetime be structured in discrete terms. This paper proposes an alternate structure for the definition of time, and describes experimental approaches that will validate the hypothesis. Also proposed in this paper is the existence of an Absolute Frequency that pervades the entire physical universe. This fundamental frequency may be within the detectable range of current instruments and technology, and can be utilized as a new reference standard for all measurement systems.
Current efforts in quantum field theories require that spacetime be structured in discrete points, while general relativity describes spacetime as a continuous manifold structure. This is probably one of the most significant unsolved problems in physics, and there are numerous efforts to unify these competing theories into a single theory of quantum gravity.
This author proposes the concept that basic assumptions are part of the problem, of which the first is the nature of time. When time is used in any formulation, it is always thought of as an independent variable. If the idea that time is a perception and an illusion is proven correct, variables that are dependent upon clock time will have only limited success in explaining spacetime structures. Proving that time is, in fact, discrete would also result in defining the spacetime structure in clear terms. If time is not continuous, then there is no clock to measure its progress at all “times”. This has significant implications for our understanding of spacetime structures.
Philosophers have long contemplated the nature of time. Antiphon, a fifth-century B.C. Greek philosopher, stated “Time is not a reality, but a concept or a measure.” Einstein's Theory of Relativity introduced the possibility of flexible time, wherein a strong gravitational field seems to distort clock time, and Einstein wrote near the end of his life that, “...the distinction between past, present, and future is only a stubborn, persistent illusion.” [4]
The hypothesis then, clearly stated:
Clock time is a perception and not a reality. It is not a real component of spacetime structure. The physical universe literally blinks off and on at an extremely high rate (many billions of times of times each second). [5] This blinking creates a fundamental Absolute Frequency that pervades the entire physical universe and can be detected using appropriate instruments.
If we seriously consider this hypothesis, we must also ask what this means in mathematical and physical terms. It means that we can minimally demonstrate that time is non-continuous, discrete, and variable, as opposed to continuous and steady-state. Basic experiments utilizing atomic clocks should be able to determine the precise frequency (blinking) and other characteristics of the phenomenon.
Another perspective of this alternative view; recall that in the middle ages the earth was perceived as flat, and this was considered an obvious conclusion. Today we know it is possible to place a two-dimensional map of the earth on the wall, analyze distances, navigate and plan, but it does not make the earth flat. That is a perception and an illusion. To challenge the notion that time involves mere perception, we must prove or disprove it experimentally. Time and distance are currently based upon the uncertainty and stability of atomic clocks. For example, the reference standard for a one meter length is defined by an atomic clock, the speed of light, and the vibration of a cesium atom.
Some researchers have recently proposed a “cut-off” frequency to explain the structure of spacetime. Unfortunately, this is a false idea derived from a misunderstanding of Nyquist-Shannon theory. There is no such thing as a “cut-off” frequency, because in those terms, the frequency spectrum extends to infinity. [2], [3]
Also, because basic reality consists of a near-infinite number of dimensions, quantum mechanics, relativity, string theory, M theory, and proposed ideas of quantum gravity - all will break down when attempting to include greater dimensionality. What is needed is an entirely new approach. [6]
Definitions:
Clock Time - ( t ) what is called common time; involves a perception of passing time, and assumptions about its nature.
Absolute Time - ( 
) or Absolute Frequency; a frequency of measurement that is an absolute. All measurement systems must synchronize and calibrate against it. Although its frequency and amplitude may vary with the passing of commonly perceived Clock Time, it remains an absolute value.
Temporal Time - ( 
) an interval of running time that is very brief, and equal to the positive portion of the Absolute Frequency curve. In order to accurately assess it, a clock must be synchronized with Absolute Time. This could also be called the universe of physical matter.
Anti-Temporal Time - ( -1 ) an interval of running time that is very brief, and equal to the negative portion of the Absolute Frequency curve. In order to accurately assess it, a clock must be synchronized with Absolute Time. This could also be called the universe of physical antimatter or the negative universe.
* The symbols are derived from Mayan culture as an acknowledgment of their fascination with time. ( ) Imix means “one” and; ( ) Kayin means “daylight”
3. Discussion
From the Nyquist-Shannon theory, we have:
A signal that is bandlimited (bandwidth = B) is restricted in how rapidly it can change in time.
The Nyquist sampling theorem states that uniformly spaced frequency samples will be a complete representation of the frequency if the bandwidth is less than half the sampling rate, where x(t) represents a continuous signal and x (f) is the Fourier transform of that signal:
The signal is bandlimited to B, where the signal contains no energy at frequencies higher than bandwidth B. (Note: This assumption is simply a convenience for the purposes of mathematical modeling. It does not imply the larger reality of a “cut-off” frequency, as proposed by some recent researchers. This is a false idea. In those terms, the frequency spectrum extends to infinity.)
and the sufficient condition for reconstruction is:
where 2B is called the Nyquist rate, and 
is called the Nyquist frequency
4. Experimental Approach
A simple, repeatable experimental approach can be used to prove the stated hypothesis, that clock time is a perception and exists in discrete, non-continuous, and periods. For the experiment, an optical frequency comb might be used to detect the apparent continuous variation in Coulomb's constant for the Electromagnetic Force. The cyclical variation in the data is indicative of the blinking frequency.
The blinking frequency can be described:
We can model the frequency, where:
are amplitude, angular frequency, and phase respectively
Because the frequency is a reference value, we can assume it has zero phase angle.
Temporal Time would equal the positive portion of the curve. Therefore, a sampling rate greater than 2B, should allow us to reconstruct the curve. (Note that the sine wave is a simple and elegant formula for describing a basic phenomenon of the universe.)
This paper has proposed the hypothesis that time, as commonly understood, is fundamentally a perception, and more accurately described as an illusion. The structure we perceive exists in discrete, non-continuous, and variable periods. Also proposed in this paper are experimental approaches that can be used to validate this hypothesis. They are relatively simple and repeatable.
New definitions have been proposed which should help to clarify our understanding about time as a measurement system.
This author concludes further that, if given the validity of the hypothesis - quantum mechanics, relativity, string theory, and proposed quantum gravity models are inadequate models of spacetime structure, because all of these mathematical models will eventually break down as the number of model dimensions increase. The famous equation, E=mc2 has time implied in the speed of light (meters per second); and because given time is not real, any such equations will eventually break down when attempting to describe greater and greater dimensionality. Therefore, an entirely different approach is needed.
The existence of a fundamental frequency that pervades the entire physical universe has also been proposed. This frequency arises from the fundamental blinking of the physical universe, and will have unusual characteristics associated with it. The author suggests a search beginning in the range of about 5 x 108 and 5 x1012 Hz. Identification of the exact frequency and its characteristics would greatly enhance our understanding of spacetime structure. This frequency, once identified, may alternately be referred to as the “Lighthouse Frequency.”
6. Future Work
Once validated, this paper should establish new directions for research within many areas, including physics and psychology. Follow-up work is likely to include:
* Research aimed at calibrating all measurement systems to a new absolute standard, based upon the Absolute Frequency.
* Research to determine variations in the Absolute Frequency, such as amplitude, period, and other characteristics, which are likely to be multidimensional.
* Research in Psychology aimed at better understanding our perception of time and reality.
* Further theoretical research on cosmology which remove any dependencies on clock time.
This document is a living document. The author reserves the right to make corrections and changes.
1. Albert Einstein (1905) "Zur Elektrodynamik bewegter Körper", Annalen der Physik 17: 891; English translation “On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies” by George Barker Jeffery and Wilfrid Perrett (1923).
2. H. Nyquist, "Certain topics in telegraph transmission theory", Trans. AIEE, vol. 47, pp. 617-644, Apr. 1928, Reprint as classic paper in: Proc. IEEE, Vol. 90, No. 2, Feb 2002.
3. C. E. Shannon, "Communication in the presence of noise", Proc. Institute of Radio Engineers, vol. 37, no.1, pp. 10-21, Jan. 1949. Reprint as classic paper in: Proc. IEEE, Vol. 86, No. 2, Feb 1998.
4. Barry Parker, Cosmic Time Travel: A Scientific Odyssey. Basic Books, 2001, page v.
5. Jane Roberts, Unknown Reality, Volume 1, Session 703, Notes, 12 June 1974, "Your bodies blink off and on like lights . . . For that matter, so does the physical universe."
Acknowledgments: The author gratefully acknowledges Seth, Jane Roberts, and Rob Butts for their significant contributions. Also thanks to my support group: Rae, Eric “Puppy”, Jim “Mick”, Vickie, Dave “Woofer”
APPENDIX
Addendum, July 2012:
It is noted that it may be impractical or even impossible to directly generate the precise Lighthouse Frequency using physical instruments, because in our terms – it does not exist in the frequency spectrum. It may, however, be possible to generate the first harmonic which provides the “apparent opportunity” during every other cycle.
Also noted: It is quite possible that scientists have not correctly determined the local speed of light. For purposes of this paper – this would effectively make the correct Lighthouse Frequency slightly different in frequency and value.