Time as a Physical Dimension: Understanding the Formation and Evolution of the Universe
Humanity has long sought to understand the origins of time and the natural system. From the dawn of civilization, we have attempted to unravel the mysteries of the universe, asking fundamental questions such as where it all began and where it will end. To answer these questions, we must delve into the data provided by geology, which offers precise information about our world's formation and the development of human life.
Understanding Time and the Natural System
In order to understand the formation and development of life, we must examine the past by making use of the science of geology. The world and nature are constantly changing and evolving. The land is eroded and carried to the seas, where layers form over time. These layers contain records of events, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and the life history of various creatures.
Figure 1: Mountainous areas are constantly eroded, and the eroded materials are transported to the seas by rain and winds. Over 15-20 thousand years, several centimeters of layers are formed, with the upper layers being newer and the lower layers being older. These layers document every event in the world, providing insights into the past and present.
The Archival Pages of the Earth
These layers are often referred to as the 'Archival Pages' of Earth. As we travel through time, each page reveals the presence and absence of knowledge and technology. For instance, in the layer formed 20,000 years ago, items such as cutlery, radios, and automobiles do not exist because the knowledge to create these items was not yet available to humans. Moving back 5 million years, no 'human' form is found, as at that time, human beings had not been created yet.
As we go further back in time, we find that horses, cows, and fruit trees, which are common today, have also disappeared. All living organisms, from dinosaurs to vertebrates and invertebrates, eventually decompose into their constituent parts. The younger the layer, the more advanced the knowledge and technological advancements present.
Figure 2: The history of our world is written in these geological layers. By sequencing and examining these records, we can understand the formation and development of nature, our world, and humanity in accordance with the facts.
Quantum Physics and the Formation of the Universe
Back 13 billion years, all stars and galaxies were in the process of disintegrating into their constituent parts. Hydrogen, helium, and other elements are composed of subatomic particles such as protons, neutrons, and electrons. When we go back to the beginning of the universal system, we see the emergence of the most fundamental elements, which are called quanta. This was first demonstrated by German physicist Max Planck in 1900.
The concept of quantum and quantization created a paradigm shift, revealing that these most basic elements could not be further broken down and were to be used as a whole. This shift challenged the traditional view that nature could be manipulated and regulated by an eternal creator. Instead, the universe is in a constant state of development, driven by the potential to create knowledge.
Time: A Concept of Order
Historically, time has been interpreted as an eternal index to the life of a divine power. However, geology has shown that the earth is much older than what was believed, with the age of the universe being in the billions of years. This reinterpretation challenges the traditional views and interpretations of holy texts.
Instead of seeing time as a ticking process, we can view it as a system of changes and transformations. Just as in the game of Freeze, where movement and change are constant, the universe is in a state of constant change and transformation. Change and transformation are perceived and transformed into information, creating new high-level entities. Thus, time is not a measure of disorder but rather a concept of order and the creation of information.
In summary, time is misunderstood as it has been believed to be a process indexed to an eternal creator. However, in nature, time is a process of change and transformation. This has led to the misconception that entropy, or the trend towards disorder, is the natural state. Yet, in reality, the trend is towards the creation of order and information. Knowing this, we can better understand the evolution of the universe and the development of life as a result of the creation of knowledge.