The points of reference in any given perspective of philosophical examination of relationships are meaningful. If Einsteinian relativity was the sole determining factor for finding accurate descriptive paradigms for relative motion maybe matters would be simpler. As it is there are other meanings of relativity, such as ordered recursions of hierarchies and of forms, condensed data relationships for description and more. If we have a total of 100 elements in a set, then it can be said that the set total ever changes, yet the arrangements of elements within the set may change order. An automobile engine when running is always in motion and ever changing positions of its pistons in cylinders and the crankshaft rotating is endless yet comparable to other reference perspective nothing ever changes.  The pistons and crankshaft remain within their pre-determined space, and even the position of the piston within a given cylinder has a nearly eternal recurrence at each position with intervals in time. We might wonder if virtual particles have a similar eternal recurrence deployment in a scalar field  vacuum of space-time. So long as the parts do not wear out the process of reappearing after given intervals goes on and on.

Our knowable Universe1 never changes several of its essential criteria of being a cohesive Universe with at least a constant, determined field of given values. The values of the forces comprising the Universe seem to be divisions from one source power (the fifth power) that funds the other four. The four forces are operation configuration flow regulators of particle-waves that appear to be matter or energy to us sentient humans. The separation of powers and the dedication of the powers to particular wave-particle genre seems to be never changing. The standard model of physics exploiting criteria of equations of general relativity move the forces and mass energy backwards in time theoretically to a point of origin where the forces nearly unify before infinity values set in making the theory incapable of going farther. String theory provides answers to such odd hypothetical scenarios that allow the unification of the four forces evident in our present space-time criteria through the addition of extra dimensions and different wave-particle values in a pre-big bang Universe. The appearance of constant relationships between forces and their roles in relation to particular wave-particle frequencies permits a continuum of change concurrent with an invariant determinant field.

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A river flowing rapidly over rocks downstream may create standing wave and constant whirlpool. It seems to be always in change yet never changing. The difference of perspective that the pre-Socratic philosophers Parmenides and Heraclitus shared is exemplified in the Universe with a constant change yet never changing composition. Because rivers have a more or less constant input of force or water upstream from non-river sources such as rainfall and snow melt, the problem of change and non-change is expanded. Ultimately the criterion of inquiry is that of the Universe itself.

In the beginning was The Word; wrote the Disciple John. A source of power outside the formless void sent energy into it. In pre-big bang cosmology we also find the vacuum form and void. It has virtual particles that appear in it however briefly. The idea of a void of space-time existing with extension as space-time seems inconceivably improbable though. We wonder why all virtual particles would not appear in one place/singularity. The appearance of even one virtual particle for a fraction of a time would require a place to return to-perhaps a hide-out for virtual particles in sun dance country. A pre-existing field with virtual particles appearing in a vacuum field-space (without time yet) seems asking a lot for a starting boundary condition of any cosmological theory–even if everything else works from that point.

We are thus left with the philosophical speculations of Parmenides regarding space, volume, and the plenum–how can space exist? How can space exist without being extended? How can a finite area of nothingness exist? Space, or  nothingness should exist infinitely if it exists at all. It isn’t  the same as the mass-energy field with its ordination of material-time with dimensions and protocols of power and force. Perhaps the greater paradox is why absolute nothingness would ever change and yield even one virtual particle? Once it has then the entire being and nothingness of energy-mass with intervals becomes possible. Once it does it may have a propensity to keep increasing. More and more energy from virtual particles appear in the ‘perturbative vacuum’ before inflations of Universe happen, and perhaps within ongoing, already existing Universes (potentially explaining some of the acceleration appearances of Universes).

Why a vacuum should produce energy from nothing and continue to do so is an interesting question satisfactorily answered in the book of Genesis, and in the Gospel according to John.