Re: A question of discrete space-time.



Mike Helland wrote:

> The idea of discrete space-time and speed limits has also been
> discussed by Zene in a way that you might find insightful.
>
> Consider 2 dimensional space now, with 3 rows of bodies, aligned in
> staggers:
>
> __A1__A2__A3
> B1__B2__B3
> ______C1__C2__C3
>
> Now imagine that fastest a body could move in an instant is one space.
>
> So in a single instant, the bodies align themselves:
>
> __A1__A2__A3
> __B1__B2__B3
> __C1__C2__C3
>
> The issue here is that if you observed this from a stationary position,
> such as anywhere in row A, you would notice the bodies of rows B and C
> moving one space in an instant.
>
> All fine, right?
>
> But if you were are row B, you would have seen row C move two spaces in
> a single instance (due to relative motion). This breaks the rules of
> the system.
>
> This is called "Zeno's Stadium Puzzle" or paradox, whatever.

Dear Mike,

Thank you for your patience.

I've had a chance to read up on Zeno's Stadium Paradox, and I'm
comfortable with his ideas, as you've outlined them above. At no time
does any one body actually move faster than one position in a single
moment.

As far as the *relative* motions are concerned, I think I can address
that issue to everyone's satisfaction in a future posting to this
thread.

Regards,
Ed Hanna

.



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