I think it does in the special theory of relativity.
From the reference point outside, say "at rest," how much time passes on an object raveling at the speed of light?
I am not aware that any object can travel at that speed without sucking up the energy of the whole universe.
as long as we understand that models are just that, not absolute truth.
The best thinkers or philosophers among scientific greats are aware of this, incomprehensibility and modeling, to evidenced by their writings on it outside pure science.
Well, that same St. John of Damascus says "This God, then, cannot be wordless..." (Exact Exp. of Orth. Faith, Book I, Chp VI). Are we to understand that God's Word is really not God's own begotten expression? They philosophers and scientists may be aware but they fall into their own pit.
The world is made up of many different levels, from molecular to galactic; they are often mutually exclusive and yet they are all true. We must never elect one level and declare it to be the absolute truth, i.e. as the world really is.
Then I don't understand what you were saying by "it's absolute length doesn't change."
I am not aware that any object can travel at that speed without sucking up the energy of the whole universe.
'Tis a thought experiment.
As do we all. We can't get very far in any discussion without assuming, at the least for the discussion, that we can know something.