(To connect to the topic again)

If I say that "some number of seconds after an epoch" is a well defined point
in time, then I�m definitely telling nonsense from the view of spacetime
physics. So I have to make the restriction that "good old theories" are
sufficiently applicable (no "pop culture" here :-)). These restrictions include
high speeds and different gravitation.

Wilhelm

On 31-May-01 Wes Groleau wrote:
>> from epoch XXX" then no one will be early (if no one travels at too
>> relativistic
>> speeds).  .....
> 
> (To get a little off-topic)
> 
> The pop culture notion that you can leave earth
> and return at near the speed of light, and find
> your great-great-great-grandchildren older than
> you is a misconception.
> 
> 1. Special Relativity applies to two observers
>    moving at an unchanging rate of speed relative
>    to each other.  If you leave and return, your
>    velocity must change.
> 
> 2. IF you meet the conditions of special relativity,
>    the theory predicts that EACH observer will see
>    the OTHER'S clock as faster by the same amount.
>    So if you somehow found a way to get back together
>    in spite of the constant relative velocity condition,
>    you would say, "Hey, your clock is several Megaseconds
>    fast." and he/she would respond, "No, YOUR clock is 
>    several Megaseconds fast."
> 
> Unfortunately, "pop culture" includes many sci-fi writers
> and even several science NON-fiction writers, who keep
> perpetuating this thing like an urban legend.
> 
> Even worse is the notion that black holes are the answer
> to interstellar travel.
> 
> -- 
> Wes Groleau
> http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~wgroleau
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