As was mentioned in our article Views on the Fringe: Types of Alternate Universes, there are multiple dimensions to existence. In that article we mentioned that the majority of the scientific community believes we exist in 4 dimensions. The 1st dimension is length, the 2nd would be height, the 3rd is width and the 4th is space-time. Seems fairly cut and dry, doesn’t it?
Well, we here at D.E.C.I.D.E. do not fully agree with this assessment. That is not to say we don’t acknowledge a “dimension of space-time”, in fact we do recognize it as “A” dimension… just not a “spatial” dimension. So then, the questions become; what is a “spatial dimension”? And, what kind of dimension is “space-time”?
Ok, so the first question, of course, is what do we mean by a “spatial dimension”? A spatial dimension is, as it name suggests, a dimension required for spatial interaction. For us, we recognize three spatial dimensions… or as most people would recognize them: length; height; and width. We do not like this mediocre description of the three dimensions, we call them by their alternate titles of: line, plane, and volume. These three dimensions are what we view in our existence and give physical form and appearance to what we see and touch.
So let’s look now at each of the spatial dimensions. At 0 dimensions we simply have a Point, there is no possibility of movement or change. A Line (1 dimensional object) is specifically the measurable distance from one point to another, i.e. a straight line on a sheet of paper. A Plane (2 dimensional object) is specifically an object that has a measurable distance in two directions that are perpendicular (at a 90 degree angle) to one another, i.e. a single side of a sheet of paper. A Volume (3 dimensional object) is specifically an object that has a measurable distance in three directions that are perpendicular (at a 90 degree angle) to one another, i.e. a cube or sphere.
The dimension of “space-time” however, is not required for spatial form. It is required for a measurement of passage, of speed, and some fundamental forces of physics (i.e. gravity). Without this dimension we would still be able to measure distance and size, but we would have no concept of time or duration. Some sci-fi shows try to depict 4th dimensional entities as living “outside the timestream”… this would be incorrect, as we are 4th dimensional entities, and someone living “outside the timestream” would not have the 4th dimension, and thus be incapable of the concept of time.
The most egregious example that comes to mind are the ‘Prophets’ from the TV series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. These entities are described as 4th dimensional, have no understanding of time, and exist in all points of time at once. This is the definition of a 3rd dimensional entity, or an entity that is not part of the “space-time” dimension. While these entities have the unusual benefit of existing at all times simultaneously, they are not actually part of a space-time dimension.
So then, what type of dimension is “space-time”? While some scienctific circles have termed this as “A time” dimension, we here at D.E.C.I.D.E. recognize it as the 1st “awareness” dimension. By this we mean that a 4th dimensional entity is “aware” of the differences between one point in time and another. If we try to add this into our above description of the 3 dimensions… it doesn’t fit! What people consider the 4th dimension is simply the 4th discovered dimension, not necessarily the 4th dimension of our existence.
To understand this we have to look at a number of mediums in their various ‘dimensions’. First let us look at an object in the 1st spatial dimension. A simple line would have no concept of time, but if you place a point on that line, and have that point move to one end and then to the other, that point could be considered part of the “space-time” dimension, and thus be a 2nd dimensional entity in a 1 dimensional spatial world.
Now let’s look at a 2nd spatial dimension, this one is a bit easier to visualize. Take a comic book, pick it up and read it and you have a story. It has a beginning and an end right? Well, for us as a reader it does… however, each image is a depiction of a place stuck in the 2nd spatial dimension… they have length and height and exist on a “Plane”, but have no actual change from one moment to the next. What is on page 3 will always be on page 3. The characters on page 3 only know what is on their panel (aka Plane) and have no idea what is happening that very second on other panels on other pages (unless they can break the 4th wall). A Television Show on the other hand is a single spatial image on a Plane (2 dimensional image) that is constantly moving through time… the image(s) actually change as time moves inexorably forward. This means a Television Show has 3 dimensions represented on a 2 dimensional Plane, while a Comic only has the 2 dimensions of it’s Plane to tell the story.
Moving on to the 3rd spatial dimension we have us! We have length, height and width and exist in a volume, taking up a portion of that volume with our own form. We are also ever changing, we move, we grow… so we exist in a reality consisting of 3 spatial dimensions and the 1 awareness dimension of space-time. But is there an example of an object that exists in the 3rd spatial dimension, but not space-time? Yes there is! A simple non-interactive hologram can be described as such. Visually, it would have length, height and width, thus it would have an apparent volume, making it exist in a 3rd spatial dimension… however, the hologram itself would be immobile and non-interactable, it does not change. We might be able to move it, but even once it’s in a new location the hologram itself would remain the same. We might be able to turn it on and off, but while it is on, it is simply an unmoving image. This type of hologram would be unaffected by the passage of time (aside from our activities, and effects of time on it’s display equipment) and could thus be considered to only exist in the 3rd spatial dimension, but not in “space-time”.
Now, obviously all those examples actually can and do exist in our 4 dimensional world… but the objects/images themselves would only be aware of their own existence (if they were actually living and had awareness). So to review:
So, are we 4th dimensional entities? Yes we are! We exist in a reality consisting of 3 spatial dimensions and 1 dimension of awareness, making us 4th dimensional entities. But is “space-time” the 4th dimension? Not necessarily… it could exist as early as the 1st spatial dimension.
What does this mean for us and the scientific community? Not much actually… Science is technically correct that there are (at least) 4 dimensions, and that “space-time” is one of those dimensions, but where exactly it came to be? That is unknown, it is only called the 4th dimension as it was the 4th one discovered… There are some changes this view of our dimensions may cause on other scientific theories though, such as the Higher Dimensions view of The Many Worlds Theory. To learn more on how this may change the Higher Dimensions view, please read our article: Views on the Fringe: Cosmology of Multiverses
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