How Time Perception Shapes Our View of Physics

By Jim Redgewell

In many modern scientific discussions, we hear that the universe appears "finely tuned" for life. But what if this common view gets things backwards? What if life isn't the goal of the universe—but rather a consequence of consciousness adapting to a universe that permits it?

This article explores the idea that the laws of physics, as we understand them, are not eternal absolutes. Instead, they are the result of conscious systems interpreting reality through a particular lens—especially the lens of time.

The Robot Thought Experiment

Imagine a robot whose internal clock has been unknowingly altered. From its own perspective, everything seems normal—its second is still a second. But when it observes the world, it sees strange things: balls float longer in the air, objects fall more slowly. To the robot, it appears that gravity has weakened. Not because the force itself changed, but because its perception of time has shifted.

And here lies the core insight: if time perception changes, so does the robot's understanding of all laws that rely on time—acceleration, force, energy, causality. It would genuinely believe the laws of physics had changed.

Are Physical Laws Observer-Dependent?

From Einstein’s relativity to quantum theory, modern physics already accepts that the observer plays a role. But in this context, we go further: the observer doesn’t just interact with laws—they construct them through perception. Physical laws are, in effect, models shaped by how time and causality are experienced.

This leads to a reversal of the traditional fine-tuning argument:

The universe is not finely tuned for life. Life is finely tuned to fit the structure of the observable universe.

Consciousness as a Filter

The emergence of life—and particularly conscious life—is not random. It occurs only where the conditions of time, causality, and predictability align. Consciousness is not simply embedded in the universe; it is a pattern that resonates with the universe's structure. We do not see the laws of physics as they are, but as they are interpreted by minds like ours.

This perspective does not mean the universe is mind-dependent, but rather that laws—as coherent, describable phenomena—exist only within a framework that includes time-aware observers.

Supporting Thinkers

This line of thinking is not without precedent. It intersects with ideas proposed by:

• Stephen Wolfram, who argues that the laws of physics emerge from the constraints of computationally bounded observers.

• Carlo Rovelli, whose relational quantum mechanics claims that all physical states are observer-dependent.

• Lee Smolin, who posits that time is real and the laws of physics may evolve.

• Robert Lanza, who places life and consciousness at the center of physical reality through biocentrism.

• Craig Callender, who explores the perception of time as a constructed rather than objective feature.

• Eduardo O. Dias, who theorizes that time emerges from sequences of quantum informational events.

• Arvin Ash, whose public science communication covers the role of consciousness and time in physics.

These thinkers challenge the traditional boundaries between physics and philosophy, inviting a deeper look at what we mean by "law" and "reality."

A Misunderstanding That Led to Insight

In the course of developing this article, a key breakthrough came from a misunderstanding between myself and my AI collaborator. Initially, we disagreed on whether the robot would perceive physical laws differently. After clarification, it became clear that the robot’s subjective experience of time would fundamentally alter its interpretation of physical phenomena. That realization became the turning point—the very insight that anchors this essay.

Conclusion: Reality Is a Dialogue

What we call the laws of physics may not be fixed commands written into the universe. Instead, they may be emergent descriptions—language developed by observers embedded within spacetime, shaped by how they process information and measure time.

Life is not a miracle that the universe prepared for. Life is the mirror that reflects what the universe allows. And in that mirror, we glimpse not just how the world works—but how our minds make it work.

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This is a working draft. Edits, elaborations, and clarifications are welcome as we continue refining this perspective.