I’m exploring a model where the present moment (“now”) is the actual boundary of the universe. The universe is not a fixed block of past, present, and future, but something that is continuously being created at this boundary.

In this view, the universe expands at the speed of light, not just in space but in spacetime itself. The speed of light is therefore not just a property of light, but a fundamental limit that defines how fast reality can grow.

Light is interpreted differently here: rather than “moving through space,” it can be seen as a trace or trail that connects the present to the past, marking the structure of what has already happened.

Mass, on the other hand, represents the actual realized path of events, while light defines the possible causal structure.

So the picture is:

• The present = the edge of reality

• The future = not yet existing

• The past = built structure

• The speed of light = rate at which the universe unfolds

I’m curious how this idea fits (or conflicts) with modern physics, especially relativity.

1 hour ago, Rudolf said:

So the picture is:

• The present = the edge of reality

• The future = not yet existing

• The past = built structure

• The speed of light = rate at which the universe unfolds

I’m curious how this idea fits (or conflicts) with modern physics, especially relativity.

If by "present" one means the present defined by the Friedmann-Lemaître-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) metric, while the idea probably doesn't conflict with known physics, it is probably quite meaningless in the sense of having no observable consequences contrasting with the notion of a block universe in which the future pre-exists. In other words, the idea violates Occam's razor.

Edited 2 hours ago2 hr by KJW