Robert continued, “There’s a strong argument that the age of the earth might be a completely moot point.” “Why?” Adjusting his thick-framed glasses that kept slipping down his nose, he peered at her. “Well, you know how the outward parts of our universe are expanding faster than the middle, right?”
Brianna’s face took on a puzzled look. “OK. Go on.”
“The Hubble telescope helped confirm that theory, even though it’s counter-intuitive. Previously, there had been three theories, but scientists generally agree on one now: The universe initially expanded rapidly, the expansion slowed over time, and then it began to expand more rapidly again – essentially overcoming the initial pull of gravity. It’s sometimes referred to as the Inflation Theory.
“When you relate the expansion of the universe to Time, it means that planets at the outer fringes of the universe are moving faster than the middle ones. So, the outer planets experience Time slower than the middle planets. You know, the faster you go, the slower Time elapses for you? And the converse is also true.
“Where does this leave us? Time is relative to the observer, so our interpretation of years is simply our version of years – from our planet’s perspective.”
Brianna let out a long breath. “Hmmmm. I think I see where you're going here. So Time doesn't really have any meaning other than for the person who is measuring it.” Her face lit up. “Hey, in a sense, everyone is right,” she chuckled.
Robert smiled. “Time is a measurement that is only useful in quantifying our own personal existence.” Brianna's face soured. “I still don't buy the age of the Earth theory that Mom and Dad believe.”
Robert agreed wholeheartedly, “Neither do I, since there's clear evidence that humans existed considerably earlier than that. Neanderthal Man is a more recent example. My feeling is that the Bible's Old Testament is an account that starts with the oral narration of Jewish history.”
Brianna chewed on her fingernails, processing that theory. “Possibly,” she admitted. Brianna knew that Robert was warming up to one of his other favorite subjects: Theology. And coincidentally, he was warming up to one which was decidedly not her favorite.
Robert explained, “I mean, as early as in the book of Genesis, there are references to Cain being directed to go off into 'other lands and find a wife'. I can tell you for sure he didn't marry his mom or a sister … So Genesis’ own text points to other people co-existing at the same time that Adam was alive, correct? And then in the same book, references are made to grain. Grain is a hybridized crop that requires the use of metal tools. Metal tools require knowledge of metallurgy – at least limited mining skills and smelting. All in the years that Cain, the first-born of Adam, grew up? Impossible. Most of humanity’s history happened prior to where the Bible picked up.”
To steer him onto another subject, Brianna offered, “Didn’t you say that ghosts could be another oddity that might fit in there somehow? If you accept the possibility of ghosts, wouldn't they be pretty much time-independent? No body, no mass. No Time? Existing in a parallel but alternate universe?” Robert nodded enthusiastically, encouraged she was now speaking his language.
She continued, “It seems like that might be a pretty big step towards explaining those stories about 19th century phantoms hanging around forever, trying to resolve one thing or another. They wouldn't know how much time had passed for us – even centuries, maybe. And they wouldn't be able to affect their environment … much.”
“Very possibly,” Robert reflected. “One thing for sure, these concepts certainly make you think about how small we are in the whole scheme of things.”