Is time perception solely influenced by time dilation?

In summary, the conversation discussed the concept of time dilation and whether it can explain our perception of time. The individual argued that our consciousness can be seen as the movement of neural impulses in the brain, which can be affected by adrenaline and create the illusion of time slowing down. However, this idea was refuted by the fact that nerve impulses travel at a much slower speed than electricity, and the notion of consciousness having a definite location in the brain was deemed questionable. The conversation ended with the thread being locked due to it not meeting the forum's guidelines for discussing non-mainstream ideas.
  • #1
petm1
399
1
Can the way we perceive time be explained by time dilation? When you think of our consciousness as being the motion of the spark(s) moving around on the circuit board we call our brain, the only part of ourselves that is moving at near c. Add a little adrenaline which increases the conductivity of the nerve cells there by increasing the relative motion of the spark(s) within us, and you have time appearing to slow for the individual or what is known as the fight or flight reflex.
 
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  • #2
Given that the brain is not a circuit board, and that nerve impulses travel at a slow crawl relative to the speed of light

see for instance http://hypertextbook.com/facts/2002/DavidParizh.shtml

"Depending on the type of fiber, the neural impulse travels at speed ranging from a sluggish 2 miles per hour to, in some myelinated fibers, a breackneck 200 or more miles per hour. But even this top speed is 3 million times slower than the speed of electricity through a wire."

I think we can safely say that the idea does not hold even the smallest amount of water. (I hope nobody takes offense, that's my attempt at an honest analysis).

Even if nerve impulses traveled considerably faster than they do, assigning consciousness as having a definite location in the brain, a location that "moves around" seems to be a very dubious idea.

I'm going to lock the thread because it seems to me that it doesn't meet our PF guidelines.

It is against our Posting Guidelines to discuss, in most of the PF forums, new or non-mainstream theories or ideas that have not been published in professional peer-reviewed journals or are not part of current professional mainstream scientific discussion.
 
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  • #3


While time dilation is a well-established phenomenon in physics, it is not directly linked to our perception of time. Time dilation occurs when an object is moving at high speeds or in strong gravitational fields, causing time to pass slower for that object compared to a stationary observer. However, our perception of time is influenced by various factors such as our attention, emotions, and memories, rather than just our physical movement.

That being said, the analogy of our consciousness being like a spark moving on a circuit board is an interesting one. Our brain neurons do communicate through electrical impulses, and the speed of these impulses can be affected by adrenaline. This can explain why time may appear to slow down during a fight or flight response, as our heightened state of arousal can increase the speed of these impulses.

However, it is important to note that this is just one factor among many that contribute to our perception of time. Our consciousness is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon, and it cannot be reduced to just the movement of sparks in our brain. Moreover, time perception is subjective and can vary from person to person, making it difficult to draw a direct correlation between time dilation and our perception of time.

In conclusion, while there may be some connection between time dilation and our perception of time, it is not a direct cause and effect relationship. Our perception of time is a complex interplay of various factors, and it cannot be fully explained by just one aspect of physics.
 

FAQ: Is time perception solely influenced by time dilation?

What is time dilation?

Time dilation is a phenomenon in which time appears to pass at different rates for objects that are moving at different speeds. This is a consequence of Einstein's theory of relativity, which states that time and space are not absolute and can be perceived differently depending on one's frame of reference.

How does time dilation affect the mind?

It is currently unknown how time dilation affects the mind, as there is limited research on this topic. Some theories suggest that time dilation may have an impact on one's perception of time, causing it to feel slower or faster than it actually is. Others hypothesize that time dilation may have an effect on cognitive processes, such as decision making and memory.

Can time dilation impact our daily lives?

In our daily lives, the effects of time dilation are negligible. However, for objects traveling at extremely high speeds, such as satellites and spacecraft, time dilation is a crucial factor to consider. GPS systems, for example, must take into account the effects of time dilation in order to accurately pinpoint locations on Earth.

Is time dilation a proven concept?

Yes, time dilation has been proven through various experiments and observations. The most notable evidence comes from the famous "twin paradox" experiment, where one twin travels at high speeds while the other remains on Earth. The traveling twin experiences time dilation and returns to Earth having aged less than the twin who stayed on Earth.

Can time dilation be reversed?

Currently, there is no known way to reverse time dilation. However, some theories suggest that it may be possible to manipulate gravity or create wormholes to potentially reverse the effects of time dilation. This is still a topic of ongoing research and is not yet a proven concept.

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