In this captivating episode of “OK. Now You Know,” host Joe Garner delves into one of humanity’s most intriguing curiosities: the nature of time and the possibility of time travel. Garner begins by exploring the fundamental concept of time, describing it as the progression of events from the past to the future. He highlights our linear perception of time and questions whether it might just be a piece of a much larger puzzle.

Expanding on the seminal work of Albert Einstein, Garner explains the theory of relativity and its implication that time is not absolute but relative. He introduces the concept of time dilation, noting that traveling at high speeds can slow down time, a phenomenon experienced by astronauts on the International Space Station. Moving further, the episode touches on the idea of wormholes, theoretical passages through space-time that could make backward time travel possible according to Einstein’s equations. Despite the theoretical basis, Garner underscores the current technological limitations and the mind-boggling paradoxes, like the grandfather paradox, that challenge the feasibility of such an endeavor.

Helpful Links:

• Albert Einstein’s Theory of Relativity Book: Relativity : the Special and General Theory: Original Version
• International Space Station: NASA Website for ISS
• “OK. Now You Know” Podcast Website