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From: ethan@utastro.UUCP (Ethan Vishniac)
Newsgroups: net.physics
Subject: Re: Serious speed of light question
Message-ID: <409@utastro.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 24-Jul-85 10:49:12 EDT
Article-I.D.: utastro.409
Posted: Wed Jul 24 10:49:12 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 25-Jul-85 23:23:22 EDT
References: <3244@decwrl.UUCP>
Organization: U. Texas, Astronomy, Austin, TX
Lines: 22

> If the universe is "closed" like the earth is round, then I can send a
> message by light to my left and I have a friend send the same message at
> the same time to our right.   Since each of us is in our own inertial frame,
> each sees the message proceeding at the speed of light.  However, an observer
> at the "other side of the universe" sees my friends message arrive sooner.
> Therefore TALKING TO A FRIEND is faster than the speed of light!
> 
> Seriously, what's wrong here?
> 
> 	Rick

I don't understand why this is supposed to be a paradox.  How is this
different from having you and your friend standing next to one another
and the observer standing 10 feet to your friend's right? (Of course,
now both of you send messages to the right.)  The observer will still 
receive your friend's message first.  Am I missing something?
-- 

"Don't argue with a fool.      Ethan Vishniac
 Borrow his money."            {charm,ut-sally,ut-ngp,noao}!utastro!ethan
                               Department of Astronomy
                               University of Texas