merrill@raja.DEC (Rick - Font Mgr. for Hardcopy Engineering) (07/23/85)
If the universe is "closed" like the earth is round, then I can send a message by light to my left and I have a friend send the same message at the same time to our right. Since each of us is in our own inertial frame, each sees the message proceeding at the speed of light. However, an observer at the "other side of the universe" sees my friends message arrive sooner. Therefore TALKING TO A FRIEND is faster than the speed of light! Seriously, what's wrong here? Rick
ethan@utastro.UUCP (Ethan Vishniac) (07/24/85)
> If the universe is "closed" like the earth is round, then I can send a > message by light to my left and I have a friend send the same message at > the same time to our right. Since each of us is in our own inertial frame, > each sees the message proceeding at the speed of light. However, an observer > at the "other side of the universe" sees my friends message arrive sooner. > Therefore TALKING TO A FRIEND is faster than the speed of light! > > Seriously, what's wrong here? > > Rick I don't understand why this is supposed to be a paradox. How is this different from having you and your friend standing next to one another and the observer standing 10 feet to your friend's right? (Of course, now both of you send messages to the right.) The observer will still receive your friend's message first. Am I missing something? -- "Don't argue with a fool. Ethan Vishniac Borrow his money." {charm,ut-sally,ut-ngp,noao}!utastro!ethan Department of Astronomy University of Texas