Is faster-than-light propagation allowed by the laws of physics? (a primer on Lorentzian relativity)

Meta Research ^ | May 1, 2006 | Tom Van Flandern

[SunkenCiv]

The proof that faster-than-light (FTL) propagation is not allowed by nature is simple. Special relativity (SR) forbids it because, in that theory, time slows and approaches a cessation of flow for any material entity approaching the speed of light. So no matter how much energy is brought to bear, the entity cannot be propelled all the way to, much less beyond, the point where time ceases. The entity’s inertia simply increases towards infinity as the speed barrier is approached.[*] But most importantly, relativists are confident that SR is a valid theory because it has passed eleven independent experiments confirming most of its features and predictions. Moreover, the very successful theory of general relativity (GR) is based on SR, and has likewise passed several major experimental tests. So SR is confirmed by observations and forbids FTL propagation and travel.

As solid as this reasoning appears to be, it has a logical flaw because another theory exists about which the same supporting claims can be made, but which has no universal speed limit. This replacement theory is the so-called "Lorentzian relativity" (LR). Let’s briefly review the origin of this theory, what it says, how it differs from SR, and what the experiments have to say about it.

[Flightdeck]

"It seems to show up in all string field theories, and a great deal of effort has been put into explaining why we don't observe it (under the assumption that string theory is right). "

I met Brian Greene from Columbia a few months ago and asked him if this GUT that he feels is on the (his) horizon would describe how the human mind works and survival after death of the body (afterlife basically). He wasn't even polite when he dismissed the afterlife. Therefore I know that at least one string theorist is far too close-minded to come up with a theory of everything.

[spunkets]

The dilaton is a scalar field whose vacuum expectation value is related to the gravitational coupling constant. The 4d world isn't exactly Ricci flat, because the cosmological constant is small and positive. It appears that the dilaton field is involved in fixing that value also.

The radion is a dilaton and is a massive scalar field that fixes the size of the 5th dimension in antiDeSitter space as a function of the 4 dimensions. Randall-Sundstom models... It has a massive particle that resides on the branes at the ends of the universe. It wouldn't be observed in 4d, other than effects on g and the cosmological constant.

In any case Einstien's tensor theory has been experimentally verified and a scalar-tensor theory is out. If the effect of the dilaton field is simply to fix the coupling constant and the value of the cosmological constant, then it is certainly consistent with GR.

I'm not sure what a GUT would look like. I'm not familiar enough with LQG, or M theory.