Nope. That is just what Einstein said. Any point that exists in the universe must be placed by four coordinates. 3 of space + time. When people talk of space/time, they often have this vision of a rubber sheet, which is correct as far as it goes. The true nature of the space part can be conveyed by this classic model as can a semblance of the time part. However, the true nature of a four dimensional universe might be impossible to comprehend outside mathematics and metaphors. Right now, I exist at a certain coordinate in space time. Washington exists at a different coordinate. In the same way that the right half of a room doesn't disappear when you are in the left half, time doesn't just go away when you don't occupy it. In this way, it is sometimes bettet to visualize a string of rubber sheets in a line. You were however correct. I should have adressed the light cones. Here it is.
My light cone that I initiate by my actions will never interact with the initial point of Washington's light cone. However, his cone will interact with me. In this way, I can know what Washington did, but as I cannot affect him in any way, his action was of his own free will. I hope that is clearer. |
