Editing 1524: Dimensions
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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
| − | + | Our world is a {{w|Dimension|3-dimensional}} space because we can move up or down, left or right, and forward and backward. But in modern physics space is unified in a four-dimensional world called {{w|Spacetime|spacetime}} where time becomes the fourth dimension. We never can walk backward in time — we move forward in time without any control by us. That's what [[Cueball]] explains to [[Megan]] in his monologue, we are being pushed ''inexorably forward'' through time and Cueball is quite lucky about this. | |
| − | + | Being pushed constantly in one space direction would be very soon lethal. Suddenly you could be pushed over a cliff or in front of a truck. But even if you avoided any of these and moving in only one direction you would leave the earth — witch would be lethal too. Nevertheless this does not happen in reality, you move with earth's surface on the daily rotation, you move with the earth around the sun, and much more. And all of this movements are forward and backward in the three dimensions — as opposed to time, in which we always move forward. | |
| − | + | Moving forward in time will also eventually be lethal by causing old age. It also may place you in dangerous times when natural or man-made disasters have happened, but it's possible to avoid these dangers by sidestepping them in one of the three spatial dimensions. | |
| − | + | All of this amounts to an unusually erudite way for Cueball to say he feels content with how his life has turned out, despite the natural doubts one has as they get older. | |
| − | In the title text | + | In the title text Cueball then continues to muse about his favorite dimensions and places time in his top three dimensions. This initially seems to mean that one of the three space dimensions must be his least favorite. But since in space there is no difference between the three dimensions, it's not obvious why any one would be preferred over another. And if that was the case, then time would have to be his favorite dimension maybe also because he probably doesn't like the up-down direction which consumes much more energy than forward or sidewards. Radial and cylindrical coordinate systems describe 3-dimenional worlds with vastly differing coordinates — but there are always three. |
Previously Randall has made a comic about a man who was pushed sideways — so he was pushed both through time and fell sideways: [[417: The Man Who Fell Sideways]]. | Previously Randall has made a comic about a man who was pushed sideways — so he was pushed both through time and fell sideways: [[417: The Man Who Fell Sideways]]. | ||
