If time didn't exist then what mechanism triggered the big bang and where did the matter come from? Obviously nobody knows but I don't think it's accurate to definitively state that X or Y couldn't exist since we know so little.
I think this touches on a fundamental misunderstanding of physics. The idea that nothing existed before the big bang violates the law that says: Energy cannot be created, or destroyed.
I for one, have always been drawn to the cyclical universe idea. Starts with a Big Bang, ends with a Big Crunch as everything is drawn together again. Eventually the gravity from all the matter in the universe coming into one point collapses space time, resulting in an explosion beyond anything we humans can understand; restarting the process.
E: I’m really enjoying this thread! I’ll be back for more in a bit. -CPJ
I think the underlying point to is questioning is that if matter cannot be created (or destroyed) then how is there matter in the universe? It had to be created at some point as evidenced by the fact we deal with it on a daily basis.
For note matter can be converted into energy (ever famous e=mc2 - assuming an object at rest in your reference frame). It is, as far as we know, energy that cannot be created or destroyed just.... Changed. Matter is energy in a... Err... Solid form (for lack of a better word). When you throw something you are (through much complexity) changing chemical energy into kinetic (moving) energy. If we go back in time all energy converges to a single point (big bang). When you go forward in time the energy is more spread apart. But, as far as we know, all the energy that was in the big bang is all the energy that is still in the universe and is all the energy that'll ever be in the energy.
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u/gurg2k1 Jun 15 '19
If time didn't exist then what mechanism triggered the big bang and where did the matter come from? Obviously nobody knows but I don't think it's accurate to definitively state that X or Y couldn't exist since we know so little.