Time, not space plus time, might be the single fundamental property in which all physical phenomena occur, according to a new theory by a University of Alaska Fairbanks scientist.
The theory also argues that time comes in three dimensions rather than just the single one we experience as continual forward progression. Space emerges as a secondary manifestation.
“These three time dimensions are the primary fabric of everything, like the canvas of a painting,” said associate research professor Gunther Kletetschka at the UAF Geophysical Institute. “Space still exists with its three dimensions, but it’s more like the paint on the canvas rather than the canvas itself.”
Link to Paper:
https://www.worldscientific.com/doi/epdf/10.1142/S2424942425500045
This is a remarkably short paper for the big claims it makes. For me it has the feel of starting at the answer and then working backwards to find the original question. Which is a perfectly valid approach, as long as there is at least some constraint or indication that was indeed the original question asked.
We’ve seen time and again in physics where people can create awesome mathematical frameworks that try to explain it all. Then every time the model disagrees with reality, the model or it’s parameters are slightly tweaked so it’s in line again. For me this isn’t very useful, as we would like to use the model to make real predictions. Not just chase our tails.