From: utzoo!decvax!harpo!uwvax!doug
Newsgroups: net.misc
Title: Re: Ants on spinning wheels
Article-I.D.: uwvax.532
Posted: Thu Aug  5 10:08:37 1982
Received: Sun Aug  8 06:49:42 1982
References: uwvax.527 utcsrgv.493

re: to Don Chan

(i)	I am just quoting from some physics books, such as that one
	from Dr. Davies.  My impression is that the books are right,
	i.e. that they represent our current understanding of physics.

(ii)	That space has physical properties does not, as Mr. Chan says,
	mean I said there is an ether.  Just because space has physical
	properties does not mean an invisible, all pervasive fluid exists
	in all space!

(iii)	You *can* test some of the physical properties of space!  One
	property of space gives us inertial forces, such as in the
	spinning ant problem.  Another property of space is that it
	contracts and expands depending on our motion relative to it.
	Another property of space is that it seems to be generally
	expanding out, and has been, since the "big bang":  the stuff
	of the universe is not being blown out to fill empty, existing
	space - the space itself is expanding!  There are measurements
	to this effect!  There are other properties of space that I
	am not familiar with, such as it's curvature in the presence
	of massive objects, etc.  But it is *clear* that space itself
	has physical properties and is a real thing.