Edgar, The structure of Minkowski spacetime is explained here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minkowski_space Once one decides on a coordinate system, every point can be assigned a unique x,y,z,t position. Hence the meeting of two observers to compare clocks can be assigned a unique x,y,z,t position. Their clocks will differ according to the paths they took through space-time to reach the meeting point.
According to SR that is all you need to know. If you want to add anything more you need to explain why it's important - what physical difference it makes. Of course a cellular automaton or similar quantisation of space-time, as required for a computational theory of reality, rquires an absolute rest frame and a synchronised clock. Personally, although I find such theories attractive, I have long regarded this as a problem with them, which in my opinion they have not yet adequately addressed (although placing the cells on the light come might work, in Minkowski space - but somehow I doubt it). -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Everything List" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/everything-list. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
