4 Dimensional Beings Would Likely Know if the Universe is Infinite
Ever wondered what it’s like to be a 4‑D creature looking down on our 3‑D world? Reddit’s latest thread dives into that exact question—“Do 4 dimensional beings know if the universe is infinite?” The comments that followed could be taken straight from a sci‑fi sitcom, complete with mis‑used math, flatland metaphors, and an unexpected love of string theory. Below is the original post, a comedic take on the discussion, and a highlight reel of the comments that made the thread a meme‑worthy masterpiece.
The Original Question (Paraphrased)
The OP:
"If we had a 4‑dimensional being, would they know whether our universe is infinite? And if they could see time, would they be able to travel at 100 mph or hop over to Mars? Basically, can a higher‑dimensional perspective give us the answer to the cosmic size mystery?"
The OP’s question is a classic “what if” scenario that invites both philosophical speculation and scientific jargon. The answers that followed ranged from “time isn’t a spatial dimension” to “we’re probably already living in an infinite number of dimensions.”
A Light‑Hearted Take on the Thread
Imagine a 4‑D being, let’s call them Quadra‑Quinn. Quadra‑Quinn has a pair of extra eyes that can see our universe from above and below at the same time. They’d see our galaxy as a tiny, spinning pancake and our entire cosmic microwave background as a glittering, infinite quilt. They’d probably say, “You humans, you’re so obsessed with the horizon! I can see it from the inside. Welcome to the infinite club—no membership fee required.”
But would they care? According to one commenter, 4‑D beings might think infinite universes are like “a pizza with endless toppings—fine, but nobody wants to eat it.” Another joked that a 5‑D being would have to go to the 5th dimension to understand the 6th‑dimensional universe, and that’s where the infinite mystery really lies.
And let’s not forget the time‑travel gags: “I can move through three dimensions, but that doesn’t mean I can get there at 100 mph or transport myself to Mars. There are limits.” The classic “speed limit” of the cosmos—if you can’t outpace the speed of light, you’re stuck in the same 4‑D bubble no matter how many dimensions you add.
So, the bottom line? If we ever meet a 4‑D being, they’ll probably tell us the universe is infinite and that we’re all stuck with a limited time horizon—unless we’re talking about a 5‑D being who sees time as a non‑linear, infinite loop.
The Reddit Commentary (Highlights)
- Comment 1
"Maybe? I can move through three dimensions but that doesn't mean I can get there at 100mph or transport myself to Mars. There are limits. So maybe they can see/feel/whatever time but in limited capacities. Maybe they can only see time at it pertains to the duration their life. They can't see time from before they were born or after they die. We might need to go to the 5th dimension. We are 3 dimensional being observing a 4 dimensional world. Which makes time linear. A 4th dimensional being would be perceiving a 5th dimensional world. Which would make time non-linear. But perhaps still has limits. A 5th dimensional observing a 6th dimensional world might be able to see that past those limits."
Comment 2
"Time isn't the same as a spatial dimension. When talking about 4d beings that usually means 4 spatial dimensions, and probably time as well. Time can be thought of as orthogonal to space itself, no matter the number of dimensions."
Comment 3
"Well. We're technically 4 dimensions and don't know for sure. But even if you found a 5 dimensional being they might not know. String theory needs what... Like 19 dimensions or something? And a 19 dimensional being that was just like... A 19d space deer or something wouldn't know."
Comment 4
"To get really technical about it, we're living in an infinite number of dimensions, since a dimension is any axis of measurement you can think of."
Comment 5
"Or an axis you can't think of, like flatlanders imagining depth."
The comments showcase a delightful mix of serious physics, playful metaphors, and the classic Reddit tendency to go way off track. The last comment, in particular, is a nod to Edwin Abbott’s Flatland, reminding us that even the most advanced beings can still be “flat” in their understanding.
TL;DR
4‑D beings probably know the universe is infinite, but they'll still be stuck with a 100 mph speed limit and a linear timeline—unless you bring a 5‑D friend who can see time as a non‑linear loop. And if you’re a flatlander, just keep picturing depth; that’s the real power move.
Reddit Comments (Re‑imagined)
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Comment 1
"Maybe? I can move through three dimensions but that doesn't mean I can get there at 100mph or transport myself to Mars. There are limits. So maybe they can see/feel/whatever time but in limited capacities. Maybe they can only see time at it pertains to the duration their life. They can't see time from before they were born or after they die. We might need to go to the 5th dimension. We are 3 dimensional being observing a 4 dimensional world. Which makes time linear. A 4th dimensional being would be perceiving a 5th dimensional world. Which would make time non-linear. But perhaps still has limits. A 5th dimensional observing a 6th dimensional world might be able to see that past those limits."
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Comment 2
"Time isn't the same as a spatial dimension. When talking about 4d beings that usually means 4 spatial dimensions, and probably time as well. Time can be thought of as orthogonal to space itself, no matter the number of dimensions."
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Comment 3
"Well. We're technically 4 dimensions and don't know for sure. But even if you found a 5 dimensional being they might not know. String theory needs what... Like 19 dimensions or something? And a 19 dimensional being that was just like... A 19d space deer or something wouldn't know."
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Comment 4
"To get really technical about it, we're living in an infinite number of dimensions, since a dimension is any axis of measurement you can think of."
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Comment 5
"Or an axis you can't think of, like flatlanders imagining depth."