Theory: Do thoughts travel at the speed of light?

Canada
November 10, 2009 7:43am CST
Well...in a "sense", I believe they do. Here's why. We are all familiar with Einstein's Theory of Relativity...E=Mc2... Energy (E) equals (=) mass (M) times the speed of light (c) squared (2). Since thought is an energy wave pattern, and can be received or perceived within a quantitative state of merely millionths of seconds, then would it not suffice to say that it travels at the speed of light? And...if this BE the case,due to the fact that "thinking actually slows down a persons ability to act quickly, then it would also suffice to say, that thought in itself, no matter how crazy this may sound, would have to have atomic mass in some form or another? It's an interesting thought. Wouldn't you agree? cdrxo
3 responses
@mentalward (14691)
• United States
10 Nov 09
Well, if thought has mass, I'll have to get stupid. I'm trying to lose weight. Actually, methinks you think too much. Sure, it's an interesting theory but I have way too many other things to occupy my brain, like did I give the dogs fresh water today? or should I fill up my gas tank before prices rise again? You sound like my husband. He's always coming up with things like this, then he complains that he can't shut his brain down when he needs to sleep. Right now, he's working on his invention to fly without fuel. (Actually, I think his idea is doomed to fail because he seems to have fogotten that every action has an equal and opposite reaction... he's forgotten the "action" half of that and expects a reaction. ) So, if thoughts have mass, does that mean they have calories, too?
@mentalward (14691)
• United States
11 Nov 09
Well, just don't think too hard. Maybe that's the key, huh? Anyway, back to the mass thing. If my thoughts were coming from my boobs, I'd have no problem with them containing mass, calories or not. But, if they originated from my waistline, well, I'd just have to go on high doses of Thorazine. Wait a sec! Thoughts originate from our brain. My head is on the small side. (I know this from trying on hats... most go on down past my ears cuz my head is small.) Does that mean that I only THINK I'm smart? But, thinking I'm smart should make my head bigger, right? I mean, if thoughts have mass, every thought should increase my brain size. Oh, wait! I know why I don't have a huge melon on top of my neck! I keep forgetting things! Yeah! That would balance out the thought/no thought thing and my brain would remain fairly constant in size! Awesome! What a great thought! Now, I wonder how long it will be until I forget it.
@ElicBxn (63252)
• United States
10 Nov 09
I'm going to have to think about that, commander, I prefer to think that thought travels faster than the speed of light - works better with my SF ideas...
1 person likes this
• Canada
11 Nov 09
I was just thinking the same thing, just when you said it! That would mean that thoughts could travel anywhere, be it past, present, or future, since time is non-existant at that speed. I wonder what I'd have to say to myself? In all seriousness...time IS man-made, and merely records growth. Thoughts are also man-made...and since we do travel WITH time, then they become science fact, not science fiction. What do you think? Yes or no, on that one? cdrxo
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (63252)
• United States
12 Nov 09
Hey, first, you are talking to an SF fan... Second - why are thoughts limited by the speed of light - yes, they exist in time, but why by physical law? why is there a "speed of thought" it should be instantaneous... to be able to send thought in one place and to have it received in another galaxy the moment it is sent - why not?
@matsulori (269)
• United States
12 Nov 09
Yes, this is a VERY interesting thought; but as I have OCD, this will keep me up all night! Hypothesize with care! There are ill people who read this stuff! :)
1 person likes this
• Canada
14 Nov 09
Well, I certainly wouldn't lose any sleep over it, nor tear my hair out for that matter. It was merely something to contemplate. Just remember though, that "thinking"...actually slows you down, and CAN "get in the way", of ANYONE'S daily activity. Mind you, I DO empathize with your condition, and am in NO way here an expert on your particular case, nor am I trying to influence you in any way with my way-out theories. However, I AM an expert in the field of Behavior Analysis...and it has been my experience, that just by being SPONTANEOUS WITHOUT THOUGHT, seems to help ease or even curb, any of my own personal compulsions. You're quite welcome to give THAT some thought instead. It's helped me. In any event, good luck with that, and do wish you wellness. Cheers; cdrxo