The Theory of Relativity

What makes a theory a theory and not a fact? Is it because theories have to go through a “testing period” before being elevated into the fact status? If this is so, what then differentiates a theory given this definition, from a hypothesis in a scientific equation? A theory is perhaps, one that has to be subjected to various stages of “proofs” which can hold true at any given time. In short- theories are theories because they help give accurate (sometimes bordering on the crazy) definitions to what could be certain universal and material truths.

I cannot claim to know all the answers to these questions I posted- but I asked them nonetheless to introduce a very popular yet perhaps one of the most taken forgranted theories in this world- which is Albert Einstein’s Theory of Relativity.

Blame Denzell for introducing me to such a bizarre topic during a conversation on one of our long (15 minute) walks (during the days we opted not to bike) from our classroom at BLCU to our apartment complex in Beijing. At that time, I was a bit confused with the terms that he used, but what I remember was what he said about how time was not absolute, and that Einstein’s theory actually stated that time was “slower” from the perspective of moving objects and “faster” for still objects. He digressed further by posing a question as confusing as that statement- that for example if I were in a car and he was outside, was I in fact in motion by being in the car, or was it actually him who was moving from the car?

There are many many ways to relate this theory with the workings of the physical world. Take for example, how man’s movements as corresponding to how the Earth rotates on its axis can serve as an illustration of how time can seem “slower” in relation to the man in motion. Or simply put, one can also say that time seems “slower” for the man who does 10 tasks in 10 minutes as opposed to a man who does 1 task given the same number of minutes. This theory can also be related to food- in explaining why mold grows on bread after a number of days, or how food expires and spoils after being left uneaten after a period of time. In this case, time becomes the life sentence, and with every tick tock of the clock- the end comes faster to people who don’t move. Say I stand in the middle of the highway and a moving car hurtles itself into me. From my perspective, the approaching car becomes faster as it approaches and as it comes nearer, but for the car, it’s like moving in slow motion. And as it hits me, the car will continue to move while I am on the roadside- dead, or at the very least gasping for my last breath. However, if at the very last second, I jump away from the path of the oncoming car, my “movement” has caused me to have more time to live, thus making time “slow down” for me.

(Warning: Do not try for experimental purposes, this could be hazardous to your health and sanity.)

The theory can be explored in many ways- that is where its beauty and profundity lie. There are many ways in which man can link and relate this theory to anything they can think of. I'd like to explore the life cycle and aging process. It’s startling to realize how the theory of relativity has silently worked its way up to the unconscious minds of people and manifest itself in the way men speak of age and time. Wise men say: “Don’t let time pass you by without you making a difference in the world”. “Time passing you by” connotes being still and letting time overtake you thus illustrating how time and opportunity can actually pass you by if you refuse to take action with your life. Women have a biological clock inside them that dictates when the opportunity to bear children expires. Why are women hasty to marry and have children before they menopause? Simply because if they don’t do so- time will catch up to them and literally “kill” their chances of having kids. There are also people who feel that they are the same person today as when they were kids, indicative of how they only feel they have ages after they have looked at pictures of themselves from eons and eons of years ago.

Is time then greater than all of us? And if so, who controls it? Why does man often feel that there is simply not enough time for him to make a mark in the world, to see all the things he wants to see, or to achieve such heights of successes? During class reunions, people always say how “Time flies”- but is this indeed true? Or have we just been irresponsible about how we manage the passage of time?

What then is the great Einstein trying to tell all of us? For sure, it is not that we have control of time itself- for even Einstein recognizes that there are certain elements in the world which cannot be included in the formula for his theory or be subjected to the natural laws of the world- such as the presence of light.

On the surface, yes, we can learn from this by telling ourselves to manage our time wisely, not to waste time in making decisions, moving towards our goals, towards living a life that is well spent.

Nonetheless, at the end of it all, there is light, and in the Story of Creation- “light can overcome darkness”. Maybe at the end of it all, beneath the layers of the frizzy silver white hair of one eccentric old man’s head lies the idea that indeed there is that inexplicable light that is ever present.

There is indeed a valuable lesson for us all- a lesson on hope.