On Mach's Principle and the "Special" Theory of Relativity

TL;DR

This paper explores Mach's principle, the concept of an ether-like background from the Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation, and discusses its implications for relativity, rotation, and quantum gravity through historical, conceptual, and mathematical perspectives.

Contribution

It introduces a new thought experiment illustrating the properties of a CMB-based ether and reviews efforts to mathematically formulate Mach's principle in relation to relativity.

Findings

CMB radiation can be conceptualized as an ether

New thought experiment demonstrates properties of this ether

Raises questions about locality of rotation and quantum gravity

Abstract

First, we present a history of the school of thought that the Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation acts as an ether in contemporary popular English. Then we illustrate the properties of this ether and of a hypothetical "test mass" using a brand new thought experiment. Finally, we recount some post-Einstein efforts at a mathematical formulation of Mach's principle and raise some questions about what implications it has for the locality of rotation and for quantum gravity. This paper does not prove Einstein wrong.