Re: relativity of simultaneity - real or perceived?

On 13 May 2005 19:16:33 -0700, "Curious" <anthonyroseuk-curious@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

> Does 'relativity of simultaneity' mean that an event which is
> simultaneous in one frame of reference, need not be simultaneous
> in another frame? Or do the two frames just APPEAR to have a
> different timing of events?

Appears (as in observed). However, you'll hear the many of
the modernist crowd claim perception IS reality. Thus if you
observe it, then it is.

> In the common example of a fast train struck by lightning at
> both ends, simultaneously from the point of view of the
> embankment, and an observer on the train sees the lightning at
> different times, is that not merely a result of his *perception*
> of the events?

Of course,

> If he were a scientist, could he not calculate the time taken for
> the light to travel and realise that the lightning did indeed
> strike at the same time?

He could indeed calculate the timing in other so-called inertial
frames.

> If two photons pass opposite ends of a box at the same time as
> measured by an observer at rest wrt to the box, could they ever
> be correctly calculated to be in the same positions at some point
> in time to any observer at any speed? Or would they be correctly
> calculated to pass the ends of the box at different times by that
> other observer?

All inertial frames can be tranformed into all others by calculation.
What's your point? Is it that nature has an absolute sequencing and
perceptions cannot change this?

Paul Stowe
.

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