The universe is expanding. So … Are we? A typical answer we get to this question runs something like this: The universe is expanding like raisin bread expands, and we are the raisins.
I have always found this answer to be lacking. Particularly lacking if we take into consideration the principles of cognitive science, and the idea that the brain creates the images we see.
Let’s look at it in terms of perspective. From the raisin’s perspective, the bread appears to be expanding and accelerating (viz. the expanding, accelerating universe). But from the bread’s perspective, the raisins appear to be decelerating and contracting (viz. the Lorentz contraction).
I love this article by FERMILAB’s Jim Pivarski: “Is the Universe Getting Bigger Or Am I Getting Smaller?” https://www.symmetrymagazine.org/article/is-the-universe-getting-bigger-or-am-i-getting-smaller
The perception of motion requires a frame of reference. Is my train moving—or did the train beside me just start to move?
When we claim the earth is moving, who—where—is the observer making this claim?
What defines a raisin as a raisin? Where does the batter end and the raisin begin?
What defines light as light?
Perhaps light functions like plasma. A stem cell. A field of possibility. It can behave differently, depending on who is observing it.
I believe the same light can be seen in different ways. From beneath its speed, it looks like energy (a wave). From above its speed, it looks like matter (a particle). Only light can see light as light.
When I perceive potassium (alkalinity), I move sodium inside the cell, and expand. To keep me from expanding too much, I need vitamin K1. But vitamin K1 primes my brain to perceive pH7 askew.
When I perceive sodium (acidity), I move potassium outside the cell, and contract. To keep me from contracting too much, I need vitamin K2. But vitamin K2 primes my brain to perceive pH7 askew.
It’s a dual loop. Once I am beneath or above light’s speed—zero—I need to behave in ways that prevent me from accurately reading light’s speed.
