The Difference Between Time and Space

If you really want your head to spin, I recommend Phys. Rev. Lett. 94, 011602 (2005), “Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking Origin for the Difference Between Time and Space” by C. Wetterich:

In this Letter we pursue the perhaps radical idea that the difference between time and space arises as a consequence of the ‘‘dynamics’’ of the theory rather than being put in by hand. More precisely, we will discuss a model where the ‘‘classical’’ or ‘‘microscopic’’ action does not make any difference between time and space. The time-space asymmetry is generated only as a property of the ground state and can be associated to spontaneous symmetry breaking.

I think this is the first time I have ever seen anyone use SO(128,C).

One Reply to “The Difference Between Time and Space”

  1. Indeed headspinning but a very interesting paper… I love the approach it is trying to take. I also freaked out at the specific groups mentioned!

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