Dimension space has three variable expressions, length or linear, planar or length and width, and volume, or length width and height taken together. If the big bang is an accurate description of how dimension space came into being, then the complexity of dimension space would have manifested from simplist to most complex, from point to linear to planar to volumetric.
If, on the other hand, the universe did not start from an initial bang, would dimension space have always been a volume, with lesser expressions like linear and planar?
To consider this conundrum, consider that a photon is a wee bit of space, a pinch of time, and some energy. The photon crosses unlimited expanses of space while remaining always in the present. Thats how sceince can discern what the nature of the star we detect is, what elements and in some fashion what amounts, because the photon is carrying an imprint of the present of the source for the moment it was emitted.
This packet of space, time, and energy is "in" the universe of spacetime and is a lesser expression of the environment where it exists. The universe is constructed "by" information, but it is the wee thing called photon which appears to be the most fundamental "stable thing" of which everything is composed above the seething quantum realm which bubbles and churns real and virtual particles into and almost immediately out of existence.
Albert sought a way to unify the fundamental forces which are discernable when "things" relate to one another. The problem he faced was finding a basic equational expression which would fit for the large reality of planets, stars and galaxies, and remain valid expressions when contemplating the very small, quatum realm of fundamental "things". I wish he had hit upon the notion of viewing the universe in phase states, such that gravity only emerged in the universe when the quantum realm found a way to stablize aspects of the spacetime/energy creation, thus trying to find an equation or set of equations which are valid for the very large and the quantum realm is not necessary since these are two different and distinct phase states of the thing God Created/is creating called "the universe".
I believe the universe has emerged along simplest to more complex strategy. ANd if salvation is any indication of continuing creation ('behold, a new creation'), the act of being born again is yet another phase transition in God's planned design. When the universe shifted from 'only' the quantum state, to have "things" emerge, the quatum state in no way disappeared, just as space, as a volume, has inherent in it the planar and linear expressions (and even the point expressions!). Dimension time works in a similar fashion, expressing variables such as past, present, and future ... time is a volume.
Well, I see I've gone on too long. Please forgive my long-winded post, but take heart in that spiritual reality is an emerging property of the universe which God has created and continues to create. Albert would never have sought to write equations to define spiritual reality which would encompass the quantum realm and the realm of the very large. But in effect, his search for a unified field theory is sort of like seeking to integrate all that has emerged, and it just might not be fashioned for such simplicity.
As I start reading your post I can see it is going to make my head hurt. You smart folks talk in mathematical symbols and I am restricted to the symbols of the English language, words with as few syllables as possible.
I am going to take a brief respite from theorizing and do something that has a lead pipe cinch guarantee, go buy a lottery ticket. (grin) Who says I don’t have faith?
I’ll rejoin the fray shortly.
“I believe the universe has emerged along simplest to more complex strategy.”
But how does that happen, given the second law of thermodynamics? Things wear down. Information decreases. Yet I’m sitting here with a cup of coffee with “Starbucks” on it. A cup is an unbelievably improbable thing in a universe that is wearing down, let alone a cup with letters.
But anytime I start getting too hung up in figuring something out, I just remind myself that we live in a universe where God reached down and resurrected his Son from the grave. Kind of the ultimate violation of the second law. That kind of universe. Not the kind where everything wears down always.
And that fact changes everything. That means I have to take what his Son said seriously. To do that, I have to read the Bible, including the Old Testament. And Jesus makes it really simple: (1) Love God with all your heart mind soul and strength; and (2) Love your neighbor as yourself; and (3) Tell all nations about the Resurrection of Jesus and His atonement for our sins. Everything else is surplus.
One doesn’t need to be smart or educated to know God. But smart and educated stood in my way for a long time because I wanted to figure out how it all worked and make sure God met my high standards. And I don’t have to know how it all works and God certainly doesn’t need to satisfy my standards. Mind you, it’s a fine hobby. But Bible study with folks who know what they are talking about is far more rewarding in the end.