Matter and Space-Time

The Turmoil That Swirls Beneath: Thoughts on the Meaning of SpaceTime

Donald H. Marks, MD, PhD — Physician ⚕ Scientist

Originally conceived in 2016, these reflections revisit a question that lies at the very heart of physics and metaphysics: What comes first—the gravity that bends space-time, or the matter that generates gravity?

Matter, Space-Time, and the Classical View

According to standard cosmological theory, dispersed particles of matter attract one another through their small but cumulative gravitational fields. Over immense timescales, this gravitational clustering produces larger structures—stars, planets, and galaxies. In Einstein’s general relativity, this process is elegantly described by the Einstein Field Equations (EFE), which formalize the relationship between mass-energy and the curvature of space-time.

In Einstein’s framework, matter tells space-time how to curve, and curved space-time tells matter how to move. Gravity, in this view, is not a “force” in the Newtonian sense, but rather the manifestation of matter and energy shaping the very geometry of the universe.

Reversing the Chicken-and-Egg Problem

But what if this sequence is actually inverted? In 2016, I proposed an alternative hypothesis: that discontinuous regions of space-time itself could generate localized concentrations of gravity, which then attract matter into clusters. In this interpretation, gravity is not solely the result of matter’s presence; rather, irregularities or “chunkiness” within space-time could be the precursor that guides matter’s aggregation.

This reverses the familiar “chicken-and-egg” analogy. Instead of matter first collecting and then warping space-time, space-time discontinuities might precede matter, creating gravitational wells that eventually seed the formation of stars and planets.

The implications are significant. If space-time has an underlying irregularity or quantization—whether through discrete geometry, quantum gravity, or as-yet-unknown physical mechanisms—it may mean that gravity itself emerges not only as a response to matter but also as a primary structural feature of the universe.

Resonance with Contemporary Thought

This line of thinking resonates with discussions in theoretical physics. Paul Sutter, PhD, raised a related question in Space.com: What if space-time were “chunky” rather than smooth? Such a framework, he noted, would forever alter our understanding of reality itself [Sutter, 2019].

Similarly, ongoing debates on forums such as Physics Stack Exchange and Quora have entertained the possibility that matter might gather around existing curvatures or irregularities in space-time [Marks, 2016–2018]. While still speculative, these conversations reveal a broader curiosity about whether Einstein’s interpretation, while extraordinarily powerful, captures the full story.

Conclusion

Ultimately, matter and space-time remain inseparably intertwined. Yet the possibility that discontinuous or “chunky” regions of space-time might seed gravitational concentrations invites us to rethink causality at the cosmic level. Does matter create gravity—or does gravity, embedded in the fabric of space-time, create matter’s order from chaos?

This question remains open, but it underscores the profound mystery still lurking beneath our most accepted physical theories.

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References

1. Marks, D.H. Einstein, relativity and relative ethics. Link.

2. Sutter, P.M. (2019). What If Space-Time Were 'Chunky'? It Would Forever Change the Nature of Reality. Space.com. Link.

3. Marks, D.H. (2018). Quora Comment on Einstein and Space-Time Curvature. Link.

4. Marks, D.H. (2016). Physics Stack Exchange: Which Comes First for Gravity—Mass or Space-Time? Link.