Eigentimes and Very Slow Processes

Abstract

We investigate the importance of the time and length scales at play in our descriptions of Nature. What can we observe at the atomic scale, at the laboratory (human) scale, and at the galactic scale? Which variables make sense? For every scale we wish to understand we need a set of variables which are linked through closed equations, i.e., everything can meaningfully be described in terms of those variables without the need to investigate other scales. Examples from physics, chemistry, and evolution are presented.

Keywords

• very slow processes
• eigentimes
• evolution
• closure
• observation time