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Time is some other thing? It isn't a dimension? How do you do Newtonian physics like that? As far as extra dimensions being a crutch, I must disagree. Take

Time is some other thing? It isn't a dimension? How do you do Newtonian physics like that? As far as extra dimensions being a crutch, I must disagree. Take 6-axis mills for instance. To accurately describe the position of the tool you need six dimensions. That doesn't mean they are particularly strange or wrong, just that they are a little complicated. By the same token, if we invented a system of analyzing pirouetting ballerinas, it would be useful to have not only the normal 3 euclidian dimensions and time, but perhaps to have a spin dimension so we can compactly describe the ballerina's direction of spin.

poelzi 11y ago
Of course you can do a integral over time for example, but you logically understand in the process that its only a virtual dimension in this case, not a real euclidean one. Your spin 'dimensions' still reside in 3 euclidean dimensions but for technical reasons you implement those vectors as an axis. Don't get me wrong, sometimes its useful to add a virtual dimension in the mathematical sense to get a shortcut in calculation, but it should be clear that those are not real ones. One the level of physical implementation, everything requiring more then 3 looks unlikely.