Wheeler Feynman cosmology!?

 

• This approach aims to address the issue of self-interaction in classical electrodynamics, where a charged particle would exert a force on itself, leading to infinities in calculations. 

Key Features:

• Action at a Distance:

  The theory implies an instantaneous action at a distance between the source and the absorber, which is a departure from standard field theories. 
• Time Symmetry:

  The absorber theory is time-symmetric, meaning it treats the future and past equally, which is a departure from the time-asymmetric nature of observed phenomena. 
• No Self-Interaction:

  By incorporating the absorber, the theory eliminates the problem of self-interaction and the associated infinities. 
• Influence of the Future:

  The absorber, representing the future, influences the present by sending a wave back to the source. 

Relationship to Other Concepts:

• Mach's Principle:

  The absorber theory has some connections to Mach's principle, which suggests that inertia is determined by the distribution of matter in the universe. 
• Quantum Electrodynamics (QED):

  While the absorber theory is a classical theory, it has influenced the development of QED, particularly in the way it handles self-interactions. 
• One-Electron Universe:

  The concept of all electrons being manifestations of a single electron moving backward and forward in time is related to the absorber theory. 

Why it's not widely accepted:

• Experimental Evidence:

  The theory relies on the existence of a "perfect absorber," which is not directly observable. While experiments have placed constraints on the properties of the absorber, it remains a theoretical construct. 
• Calculational Complexity:

  While the theory can solve some problems, it can be difficult to calculate with, and standard renormalization techniques in QED are often preferred for practical calculations. 
• Time-Reversal Asymmetry:

  The time-symmetric nature of the absorber theory is at odds with the observed time-asymmetry in the universe. 

In essence, the Wheeler-Feynman absorber theory is a thought-provoking attempt to understand the fundamental nature of electromagnetism and its implications for the universe, even though it has not become a mainstream theory