Introduction
This is a selection of discussions about space, time, and philosophy underlying these principles. Over the course of this year, we have engaged in hour-long discussions in an attempt to understand the nature of our world and the possibilities that lie beyond our imagination.

Space

Definition
Let’s start by defining what space is. The definition of space is debated heavily by philosophers even to this day. There are different schools of thoughts on what space is. Some people believe space is just a construct of the universe. With this definition, everything in the boundary of the observable universe is considered space. Others believe that space is relative of the different things that exists within. If there is matter, then space is the construct in which the matter resides.

The universe
Many people believe that space is limited by the size of the observable universe and that space is finite. But, the observable universe is often misrepresented as the entire universe when in reality, there could be more universe beyond the observable universe. Indeed, there is a physical barrier that prevents you from peering into the grander picture. But, we don’t know the true scale of how big the universe is.

From this, we can infer two possibilities.

1. The universe is finite.
2. The universe is infinite.

Possibility 1
Let’s imagine possibility one, let’s say there is a true boundary that separates the universe from everything else. In this case, what is the construct outside of the universe? Is it a location that it’s impossible for matter to exist physically? Is it a pure vacuum with zero particles? In this case, regardless of whether there is matter in the construct, the construct still exist as an abstract concept. There is nothing that stops space from extending out to infinity in all dimensions (we will discuss more about dimensions below). Space itself is infinite as a construct, the only thing that makes it “finite” is our belief of what space should be.

Possibility 2
Let’s say that space is infinite in all directions, that means that no matter how far you go, you will always find more space ahead of you. But theoretically, let’s say you travel infinitely far to the edge of the universe and teleports outside the universe. Is the construct still considered space? In fact, what if the universe that we know of is actually the outskirt of another universe, and that universe is actually considered space?

Implications
While debating the nature of space may not have much practical meaning in our everyday lives, understanding how our world shapes our biases towards the definition of space can provide valuable insights into human nature. In essence, space could be seen as encompassing everything that could ever possibly exist — a universal set of all possibilities. Using this definition, we can discuss some implications of infinite space.

Dimensions

We currently live in a three dimension world: there is height, length, and width. But why three dimensions specifically? Why not four, or five, or one hundred.

Before we answer this question, let’s ask another question: how many dimensions are we really in, and how do we know? If you start reflecting on this question, the first thing that comes up is physical movement. Because we can move in three directions physically, we are in three dimensions.

But, is physical movement really the best way to define dimensions. What if there is another dimension that you can travel in, but the dimension is curled up infinitely small that you cannot physically observe the changes. You can’t physically move in that dimension, but surely some dimension exists. What if the dimension is something you can’t move physically, but something you can move mentally, like a dimension for your consciousness.

We have so far shown that there is a possibility for different types of dimensions. What about time? Many people consider time to be a separate dimension. But time is a dimension that we can’t control. In fact, if we treat time as a dimension, what about other fundamental concepts like the average temperature of the universe? The temperature is every changing and maps the universe from one temperature to another, of course it is something we can’t control, but isn’t it very similar to time? With this interpretation, every parameter that exists out there could be a dimension of itself, leading to quadrillions, quintillions, and even more dimensions.

Time

The prevailing consensus is that the universe began with a Big Bang, and another widely accepted theory is that the universe will eventually end as entropy increases towards infinity, culminating in a state of total disorder. But what transpired before the universe existed? Did time exist back then, and if so, what did it signify? How quickly does time travel in relation to all other possible entities?

Time, akin to space, can have multiple interpretations. One such understanding is that time represents a relative ordering of events that occur in the past, present, and future. In this context, time is relative to the speed at which events transpire. Theoretically, an entire universe could emerge and vanish within a single second, with that brief moment encompassing the formation of stars, civilizations, galaxies, and other exotic matter. Similarly, conscious intelligent systems might process events on a much longer timescale, taking 10 billion years, for example, to process a single thought. In this regard, our universe could be either the most significant one by a large margin or merely a speck of dust within a much grander construct.

So, when did this concept of time start ticking? Most people attribute the Big Bang as the genesis of everything, but what about the time before the Big Bang? What occurred then? One could always delve further back into the past, tracing it to infinity. It is possible that absolutely nothing happened during the infinite stretch of time that preceded the Big Bang. Regardless, our understanding of what truly took place remains limited. The more one contemplates the nature of space and time, the more one realizes its vastness and our own insignificance within the grand scheme of things. An individual’s death may occur, but an infinite amount of time remains for countless events to unfold. Time persists, marching on forever. And yet, here you are, existing in the present moment. What does this mean for you?

Existence

You are aware of your own existence. As you read this, you’re living your life and engaging in activities that interest you. This demonstrates that the probability of your existence is non-zero, as you serve as a singular example amidst the trillions or quadrillions of possible scenarios in which the universe could have formed you.

We’ve previously established that both space and time can be potentially infinite. Consequently, there are infinite ways for events to unfold. Given a large enough expanse, it is theoretically possible for you to exist in a different position within the universe. The likelihood of your exact existence is infinitesimally small, almost zero. However, infinity multiplied by an extremely small number still results in infinity. Theoretically, this implies that there are infinite versions of you scattered throughout time and space. In fact, you might exist in countless world lines: one where you’re a national hero, another where you’re a ruthless dictator, one in which you lead an ordinary life, and yet another where you’re anything but normal.

In the grand context of the universe, your life may seem inconsequential, unlikely to have any lasting impact a billion years from now. So why not take a chance? Why not ask out that person you’ve been contemplating, explore new opportunities or hobbies, and delve into the world around you, perhaps even trying something unconventional? At the end of the day, your awareness is limited to your current life, so why not strive for the extraordinary?

Questions to ponder about (Bonus)

What is truly right and truly wrong? (At one point in time, we didn’t believe in the existence of zero and negative numbers. At another point in time, we believed that the sun revolved around the earth. So are our current models empirically correct?)

What happens after you die? (As much as I know, you are probably born again into a different conscious system)?

How would language work in four dimensions? Would people speak in 2 dimension sequences (like images)?

How many eyes do you need to perceive 4 dimensions?