{"product_id":"the-substance-of-spacetime-andrew-martin-ryan-9780980208849","title":"The Substance of Spacetime: Infinity, Nothingness, and the Nature of Matter","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes Spacetime Exist?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e If spacetime does not exist, it certainly does so in a curiously conspicuous way, not at all like other geometric abstractions. Consider this mindbender: spacetime does not exist at all, but it doesn't exist in the void even more than it doesn't exist in the universe. Is that the description of something that does not exist?\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRelativity theory treats spacetime as a mathematical abstraction-a four-dimensional coordinate system analogous to the three dimensions of Cartesian geometry. It does not exist, per se. It is not a \"thing\" in any tangible sense. It merely serves as the background needed to describe the behaviors of the \"real\" things that exist within it. It is no more than the stage on which the cosmic drama plays out. That's the theory.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhat if spacetime exists after all? Are we not obliged to take this stuff seriously and start asking questions? What are its properties? Where did it come from? Is spacetime a simple or a composite thing? Can it be broken into simpler parts? If not, are we compelled to wonder if spacetime is actually the fundamental substance of the universe? And how does this remarkable stuff come together to form the physical world around us?\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Substance of Spacetime sets out to investigate these very mysteries and the results are truly exciting. Treating spacetime, not merely as a coordinate system, but as a real physical substance, opens a window onto reality that would otherwise be impossible to even contemplate.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIf spacetime exists, everything changes.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Andrew Martin Ryan\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 098020884X\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780980208849\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Gadfly LLC\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 03\/31\/2016\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 346\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.97lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.50h x 5.50w x 0.77d","brand":"Andrew Martin Ryan","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":44120488804607,"sku":"9780980208849","price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_3102845a-45a6-4b90-9a16-c6a16ff6723b.jpg?v=1687414608","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-substance-of-spacetime-andrew-martin-ryan-9780980208849","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}