Time Travel and Light Speed

I am not a physicists – and the mathematics of physics gets me lost – I do not understand the math.

I do enjoy physics from an amateur (or lay-person) viewpoint. I enjoy learning about physics ideas that are believed to be true – but do not seem to make sense from my common sense perspective.

One idea is dealing with time; from my personal experience – time travels at the same rate into the future. No matter what you are doing – the time clock is moving into the future at the same rate. You may read about time-travel in the world of fiction; but in the world of reality – time is consistent going at the same rate in the future.

So, when I hear science mentions that time can travel at different rates in the future; this does not fit my common-sense observation of what I actually see – and it is one of the features about physics that I enjoy.

The idea of time and traveling at light speed.
Strange things can happen when a person can travel at light speed.

As I understand it, time can travel at different rates of speed going into the future. You cannot go back in time but can go at different rates of time in the future. If I understand it and if the physics is correct, you can built a time machine going into the future but not the past.

(Not sure of the specifics dealing with the math; just give an example to express an idea)
If you are traveling in a ship at light speed, you may believe that you were traveling for one day; while people on planet Earth would believe that you were traveling for several years. Time travels at a slower speed inside the spacecraft than outside the spacecraft.

Time appears to be a something that can be measured traveling at different rates of speed into the future.

One place on the Internet that gives a good explanation of this is from a science show called Cosmos done by Carl Sagan. (It was a science program done in the 1980’s).

Youtube has a video about this, can find it at:
YouTube Video Address: (link no longer works)
Or you can search under YouTube for the title:
“Time Dilation – Travel at Speed of Light – Special Relativity”

Sometimes fact is stranger than fiction. Hope people enjoy.

General Thought Posts, Live Your Life Learning Blog

United Kingdom and EU exit

With understanding that opinions can be wrong and/or people can disagree with opinions, I would like to offer one now…

With United Kingdom to have a vote on whether or not to leave the EU (European Union), I would like to give some general thoughts on the topic.
In general, I favor the United Kingdom for staying in the EU. I fear that if the United Kingdom exits the EU; a pattern of political breakup could begin.

EU (European Union)
I believe the EU has helped to create an idea of Europe being a political entity that helps to bring the various peoples of Europe together. (When I think of the EU, also think of other political entities like NATO that have helped create a European identity).
I believe the greatest achievement of the EU (and related political institutions like NATO) have been able to help keep peace. I am not a historian but when I have looked at European history, one theme seems to be armed conflicts. Armed conflicts between different groups fighting each other.
I think the EU, NATO and other similar entities have helps provide peace and stability on the continent. I think this is a remarkable achievement that is worth remembering and celebrating.
(Not saying that conflicts that do not occur or will not occur in the future – was only the 1990’s where had armed conflicts in the Balkans – but I do believe the EU has helped create peace and stability on the continent).
I fear if the United Kingdom leaves the EU. The EU could become weaker and may encourage other countries to leave.

United Kingdom Breakup
I believe if the United Kingdom leaves the EU could start a pattern of the United Kingdom breaking up.
Scotland may become independent.
Maybe other parts of the United Kingdom may go their own way.

I think the United Kingdom has been a source of good in the world. Not saying that any particular country is perfect – but I think in general the United Kingdom has been a source of good for the world.

I think of how the United Kingdom was a source of good during World War II. The United Kingdom as a united island fought against the evil NAZI monster. Winston Churchill gave inspiring speeches on how the United Kingdom would fight (and eventually win) against the Nazi tyrant. It took the strength of a united island to fight against this evil. An island of small nation states may not have had strength to oppose the Nazi evil.

British Broadcasting System (BBC)
I enjoy being able to listen to the British Broadcasting System. I believe the broadcasts around the world are able to spread good across the world. I fear if the United Kingdom breaks up, the British Broadcasting Corporation could become Breakup Bye-Bye Canceled.

General Thought Posts, Live Your Life Learning Blog