Spacetime might not be doomed after all

TL;DR

This paper suggests that a new, minimal extension of general relativity could challenge the prevailing view that spacetime is fundamentally emergent, proposing that spacetime might be an elementary continuum.

Contribution

It introduces a novel general theory of relativity that minimally extends standard physics, potentially altering the understanding of spacetime's fundamental nature.

Findings

A new theory could support spacetime as a fundamental continuum.

Standard physics alone can be used to argue against emergent spacetime.

The proposed extension is minimal yet impactful.

Abstract

Popular wisdom amongst theoretical physicists says that the continuum structure of spacetime is probably not elementary, but rather emergent. While many arguments to support that view arise from speculative ideas, the argument can also be made by only invoking standard physics. In this manuscript, I shall argue that a novel general theory of relativity might change the deal, while it corresponds to a somewhat minimal extension of the core theory of physics.