Straight in a Curved Universe

1,486 Views | 8 Replies | Last: 5 yr ago by AstroAg17
Rongagin71
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AG
The definition of a straight line as being the shortest distance between two points is a very useful ideal, but in the real universe there is always curvature of space and, when one gets small enough, unevenness in the atoms that make up the line.
I'm proposing a solution to this problem by specifying a straight line to be the distance between two points that cannot physically get any closer.
This would mean that the smallest thing in the universe is a straight line, and that the universe is made up of lots and lots of straight lines.
Since I am neither physicist nor philosopher, I would like to hear if this has already been thought of, and if it is of any use.
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Rongagin71
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AG
How about if we change the definition of straight line to the shortest distance between two dimensions?
Yeah, I know, it doesn't make sense, but I've always liked Science Fiction.
Texaggie7nine
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From the point of view of the line itself, it is straight.
7nine
Eliminatus
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Rongagin71 said:

How about if we change the definition of straight line to the shortest distance between two dimensions?
Yeah, I know, it doesn't make sense, but I've always liked Science Fiction.


Has this not always been the definition?
Win At Life
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AG
Why don't you just call this straight line a "string" and call your idea String Theory?
Rongagin71
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AG
I thought about trying to tie in string theory,
but know so little about it that I decided knot..
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Win At Life
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AstroAg17 said:

No. The distance between two dimensions isn't a phrase that makes sense.
You're not thinking 11th dimensionally.
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