About Space and Time (More BI papers: Theoretical, Experimental)

Anomalies & Constraints, Richard Shoup, 2001 [slides: HTML, paper: PDF] "Anomalies & Constraints - Can clairvoyance, precognition and psychokinesis be accommodated within known physics? ", Journal of Scientific Exploration, Vol. 16, No. 1, Spring 2002, pp. 3-18. About physics as relations, causality (influence) flowing both forward and backward in time, and how this might explain certain (well-confirmed, but poorly understood) physical phenomena often called "psi". Also discusses the important connection to EPR phenomena in quantum physics. Presented at the Society for Scientific Exploration conference, San Diego, June 2001. Among the most difficult yet tantalizing anomalies confronting science today are those usually called "psychic" or "psi" phenomena. Laboratory evidence strongly suggests that these well-confirmed but enigmatic phenomena are due to real physical effects which are as yet poorly understood. This paper presents a simple theory of relational contraints (Link Physics) that predicts exactly the type of psi phenomena which are often observed in controlled laboratory experiments -- without requiring any new forces, fields, particles, or any other major insult to established physical law within its proper domain. To illustrate the theory, a simple hypothetical psi experiment is described to explore the full implications of random processes interacting in an environment where constraints may be present on both the past and the future. This theory is testable, can help to clarify some of the stranger aspects of quantum physics, gives new insight into the nature of randomness and causality, and carries significant implications for future science and for society as a whole. Empirical Pictures of Time, Richard Shoup, 2008 (PDF paper, slides) Abstract: Nothing has been more perplexing or controversial in the study of psi phenomena or in modern physics than the concept of Time. We discuss some aspects of current physics and of psi research that are particularly relevant to our understanding of Time and its meaning. Several unexpected experimental anomalies are presented that may give us clues about the nature of retrocausal influence. We show how some retrocausal effects and other anomalous phenomena might be explained without major injury to existing physical theory. A modified quantum formalism can give new insights into the nature of quantum measurement, randomness, entanglement, causality, and Time itself. The origin of Time and Clocks can be understood and developed from simple logical foundations. We also give some suggestions for future directions in experimentation, development of theory, and for involvement with the science community. Presented at Utrecht II - Charting the Future of Parapsychology, October, 2008. Discrete Motion and the Emergence of Space and Time, Richard Shoup, 2008 (PDF) Abstract: In this paper we give a simple and primitive definition of discrete motion beginning prior to the usual notions of space and time, and show how the relativistic addition of velocities and the Lorentz factor naturally emerge from simply counting steps in a sequence. [This draft is being rewritten to begin at a more primitive place, and to relate to causal set theory.]