What is the nature of Time? We all think we know, but do we? Why can’t we just fast-forward, rewind, or pause our lives like we would with a movie? What’s actually driving this one-way journey? And what about free will—are we truly in control, or are we simply following time’s path, step by step?
In the previous article, we explored why time sometimes feels like it speeds up or slows down. This time, we’re diving deeper into what it means to experience Time in this universe.
By the end, my goal is simple: to give you a new, intuitive understanding of what it means to live within time and how our choices define our journey. We will explore the nature of our universe, how time emerges from its unfolding, and how free will emerges from the choices we encounter along the way.
The Nature of Computational Irreducibility
What keeps us grounded in this moment, forcing us to experience life step by step? According to Stephen Wolfram, it’s because of a concept called computational irreducibility. It might sound complex, but it’s actually pretty simple. In certain systems – especially complex ones – you can’t predict the outcome without going through each step sequentially. There’s no shortcut, no way to skip ahead.
Think about growing a plant from a seed. You can’t just jump to a fully grown plant. First, the seed sprouts, then roots develop, followed by stems and leaves. Each stage builds upon the last, and you have to wait for each to occur in its own time. That’s computational irreducibility in action.
Our universe operates on this principle. It’s an intricate system where every moment leads to the next in a chain that can’t be skipped or fast-tracked. There’s no fast-forward button, no way to see the future without experiencing the present. We have to let the universe unfold, one step at a time.
Living in a Four-Dimensional Universe
Einstein introduced the idea that space and time aren’t separate—they’re intertwined together into a single, four-dimensional fabric. We are embedded in a four-dimensional spacetime, consisting of three dimensions of space and one of time. Imagine this as a massive three-dimensional cube gliding along an invisible line – the time dimension. Inside this cube is everything—all of us, all of existence.
We can move around freely within the spatial dimensions, but the cube itself is moving forward, carrying us through time whether we like it or not.
Visualize yourself inside this cube. Every step you take leaves a glowing trail behind you—a path marking every choice, every movement, and every moment. This luminous path isn’t just a record of where you’ve been; it represents the unfolding of your life story within the universe’s fabric. We’re all moving through this vast, four-dimensional cube—bound to its forward motion but free to carve our unique paths within it.
The Emergence of Time
Time is a phenomenon that emerges from the universe unfolding one step at a time. Because our universe is computationally irreducible, it can’t shortcut its own progression. Every state of the universe must follow from the previous one without skipping any steps. This sequential unfolding is what gives rise to time.
Imagine the universe as a vast, ongoing computation. Each moment is like a frame in a film reel, and to see what happens next, the current frame must be processed completely. There’s no way to jump ahead without going through each intermediate frame. This process creates a continuous flow, which we perceive as the passage of time.
Being immersed inside this unfolding universe, we experience time firsthand. Our brains are part of the universe’s fabric and operate according to the same principles of sequential progression. We process events in the order they occur, reinforcing our experience of time moving forward.
Our glowing trail symbolizes not just our past but also our journey through this unfolding process. As the universe progresses, each of our actions adds to this trail, marking our passage through time and space. But more than that, our trail subtly illuminates the possibilities ahead, shaped by our previous choices. Each decision we make doesn’t just influence our past path – it also affects the potential directions we can take next.
In essence, time emerges because the universe must compute each state in sequence, and we experience time because we’re part of this computation. We’re carried along by the universe’s unfolding, unable to skip ahead or go back, experiencing each moment as it arrives. Our immersion in this process means that our perception of time is deeply connected to the universe’s intrinsic nature.
The Scuba Ant Metaphor: Experiencing Time’s Passage
To grasp how we experience time’s passage, imagine a tiny scuba-ant swimming through a jar of honey. It’s slow, sticky, and every movement takes effort. The ant can’t skip ahead; it has to work through the honey bit by bit.
Just like that ant, we move through time feeling each moment’s ‘thickness’. We can’t rush or slow down the flow; we’re immersed in it. The honey represents the fabric of our four-dimensional universe, making us experience time’s passage in a tangible way.
As the ant moves, it leaves tiny disturbances in the honey—a subtle trail of its journey. Similarly, we leave our glowing trail through time’s viscous flow, each effort marking our persistent journey forward. Even in resistance, our movements leave an imprint on the universe’s fabric.
We’re constantly moving forward, yet we feel grounded in the present. Even if we stand still, time pushes us onward, just like the ant cannot stop moving through the honey.
The Emergence of Free Will
So, where does free will come into play? While we can’t change the fact that time moves forward, we have choices within each moment. At every point in the unfolding universe, we face options. Our decisions determine the direction of our path within the cube.
Think of the ant again. It can’t escape the honey, but it can choose to go left, right, up, or down. Similarly, we can’t stop time’s flow, but we can choose our actions within each moment. This ability to decide among different possibilities is what we experience as free will.
Every decision we make adds a new segment to our glowing trail. Our path can branch, twist, or turn, reflecting the exercise of our free will within the universe’s unfolding tapestry. These choices shape not only where we’ve been but also influence the potential routes ahead.
Navigating Our Path Through Time
We are active participants in this journey. Each choice we make adds to our glowing trail, shaping our unique path through the universe. We can’t stop time, but we can influence where we go within its flow.
Our circumstances, upbringing, and genetics set certain boundaries—like the banks of a river guiding the water’s flow. But within those limits, we navigate our course, making decisions that define our journey. We build our own path, moment by moment, choice by choice.
Our glowing trails don’t exist in isolation. They intertwine with those of others, creating a complex web of interconnected paths. Our choices can influence and be influenced by the trails of those around us, illustrating the profound impact we have on each other’s journeys.
The Interplay Between Time and Free Will
Understanding that we’re part of a computationally irreducible universe helps us see why time feels the way it does. It also highlights the significance of our choices. Every decision contributes to the universe’s unfolding. While we can’t alter the flow of time, we can shape our path within it.
We’re bound by time’s forward movement, but not predetermined in our actions. Free will emerges from the options available to us at each moment. We might not control the speed or direction of time itself, but we control our responses and decisions within it.
Conclusion: Embracing Our Journey Through Time
Time moves us forward, one moment at a time, in a journey we can’t escape or fast-forward. We’re like that scuba ant in honey—moving through a sticky medium where every moment counts.
But within this flow, we hold the power of choice. Our free will allows us to decide our direction, to carve our unique path through the fabric of the universe. While we can’t control time’s relentless march, we can embrace our role as active participants, shaping our journey with every decision we make.
So as we move forward, let’s be mindful of the choices before us. Each one lights up our trail, marking our passage through time—a journey defined by the paths we choose to take.