Spacetime Relativity

Einstein's revolutionary theory that space and time are not absolute but relative to the observer's motion and gravitational field. In spacetime relativity, there is no universal "now"; simultaneity is relative, time dilates with speed, and space contracts with motion. The theory reveals that we don't live in a fixed background of space with time flowing uniformly; we live in a four-dimensional fabric where space and time are woven together, and different observers can legitimately disagree about whether events happen at the same time or how long things take. Spacetime relativity explains why GPS satellites must adjust for relativistic effects or you'd end up in the next county, why astronauts age slightly slower than earthbound twins, and why the universe is stranger than common sense imagines. It's the physics of "it depends on how fast you're moving."

Example: "He tried to explain spacetime relativity to his boss after being late: 'Time is relative. For you, waiting in the office, time moved slowly. For me, running here, time moved fast. We experienced different durations.' His boss said the clock on the wall disagreed. He said the clock was stationary; he'd been moving. His boss said to move faster next time."

by Dumu The Void February 17, 2026

Spacetime-Probability Relativity

The extension of relativity into five dimensions, where not only space and time but also probability is relative to the observer. In spacetime-probability relativity, different observers may legitimately disagree not only about when and where events happen but about how probable they are. A highly improbable event from one perspective may be almost certain from another, depending on the observer's position in probability space. This theory explains why your unlikely winning lottery ticket seems miraculous to you but statistically inevitable to someone who sees all tickets sold—probability is relative to the observer's frame. It also explains why some people seem lucky: they're just in a probability frame where favorable outcomes are more likely. Spacetime-probability relativity is the physics of "it depends on your probability perspective."

Example: "She applied spacetime-probability relativity to her romantic life. From her frame, meeting someone perfect was astronomically unlikely. From the universe's frame, with billions of people and infinite probability branches, it was nearly certain. Her loneliness was real in her frame; her hope was rational in the cosmic frame. Relativity didn't find her a partner, but it made her feel less statistically hopeless."

by Dumu The Void February 17, 2026

Spacetime-Probability-Initial Conditions Relativity

The full six-dimensional extension of relativity, where space, time, probability, and initial conditions are all relative to the observer's frame. In this framework, different observers may legitimately disagree about where events happen, when they happen, how probable they are, and what initial conditions led to them. A person born into wealth and a person born into poverty inhabit different initial conditions frames, and their assessments of what's possible, what's likely, and what's fair will be correspondingly relative. This theory explains why debates about meritocracy are so intractable: people in different initial conditions frames are literally experiencing different realities. Spacetime-probability-initial conditions relativity is the physics of "it depends on where you started."

Spacetime-Probability-Initial Conditions Relativity Example: "They argued about whether success was earned. He, born into privilege, saw his achievements as the natural result of hard work. She, born into poverty, saw his advantages as the real cause. Spacetime-probability-initial conditions relativity explained: they occupied different initial conditions frames, so they experienced different realities. Neither was lying; they were just reporting their frame. The theory didn't resolve the argument, but it explained why resolution was so hard."

by Dumu The Void February 17, 2026

Multiverse Relativity

The extension of relativity to the multiverse, where not just space, time, probability, and initial conditions are relative to the observer, but the entire universe—or multiverse—is relative to the observer's position in the cosmic landscape. In multiverse relativity, different observers in different universes experience different physical laws, different constants, different realities entirely, and all are equally valid from their frames. This theory explains why our universe seems fine-tuned for life: we're in a universe where life is possible because we couldn't exist in the others. It's not that the universe was designed for us; it's that we're in the universe that fits us. Multiverse relativity is the physics of cosmic perspective: our universe is one among infinite, special only to us.

Example: "She contemplated multiverse relativity while stargazing: somewhere, in another universe, the stars were different colors, physics was different, life was different. Her universe, with its particular laws and constants, was just one slice of an infinite multiversal cake. She felt simultaneously insignificant (one universe among infinite) and precious (the only one she'd ever inhabit). The feeling was familiar: it was called being alive."

by Dumu The Void February 17, 2026

Law of the Absolute and Relative Ad Hocs

The principle that ad hoc constructions operate in two modes: absolute ad hocs (solutions or explanations that are so perfect for their specific case that they achieve a kind of universal validity within that case) and relative ad hocs (temporary fixes that work for now, in this context, but won't survive beyond it). The law acknowledges that some ad hoc solutions become permanent—the temporary fix that becomes the standard, the one-off explanation that becomes the theory. Others remain forever ad hoc, useful only in their original context. The law of absolute and relative ad hocs helps distinguish between the ad hoc that transcends its origins and the ad hoc that remains forever local.

Law of the Absolute and Relative Ad Hocs Example: "His ad hoc fix for the leaking pipe—a clamp and some rubber—worked so well it became the permanent solution. The law of absolute and relative ad hocs said: this ad hoc transcended its origins; it became absolute for this pipe. His later ad hoc fix for a relationship problem—flowers and an apology—remained relative: it worked once, for that fight, and couldn't be generalized. Both were valid in their way."

by Dumu The Void February 17, 2026

Law of the Absolute and Relative Fallacies

The principle that fallacies operate in two modes: absolute fallacies (errors that are fallacious in all contexts, by any reasonable standard) and relative fallacies (errors that are fallacious in some contexts but may be acceptable or even valid in others). The law acknowledges that some fallacies are universally wrong—affirming the consequent, denying the antecedent, non sequiturs that genuinely don't follow. Other fallacies are context-dependent—appeals to emotion that are appropriate in some settings, ad hominem that is relevant, slippery slopes that sometimes happen. The law of absolute and relative fallacies reconciles the need for logical standards with the reality of contextual reasoning.

Law of the Absolute and Relative Fallacies Example: "They debated whether his emotional appeal was fallacious. Absolute fallacies: non sequiturs, formal errors—he hadn't committed those. Relative fallacies: emotional appeals can be fallacious in some contexts, appropriate in others. Here, asking for compassion was relevant. The law said: relatively, not absolutely fallacious. She accepted the nuance, which is rare in online arguments."

by Dumu The Void February 17, 2026