Gravity as elasticity of spacetime: a paradigm to understand horizon thermodynamics and cosmological constant · HackerPapers discussionshttps://hackerpaper.kaipfister.de/p/gr-qc_0408051/Collected HN comments and submissions linking this paper.enMon, 02 Nov 2026 11:16:22 GMTGravity as elasticity of spacetime: a paradigm to understand horizon thermodynamics and cosmological constant — mentioned by T-Ahttps://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11057853urn:hackerpapers:mention:gr-qc_0408051:11057853Mon, 08 Feb 2016 13:11:05 GMT<p>&gt; Use a sheet of paper as your Flatland. Draw two points, measure the distance. Crinkle up the paper. There&#x27;s still the same &#x27;distance&#x27; of paper between the two points. Because the paper is not elastic. Spacetime is; it stretches. So a better analogy would be the rubber sheet with masses rolling around on it, and deforming it, which is often invoked in popular introductions to spacetime curvature. Like all analogies, it has its limitations, but it does capture the essence of the classic Wheeler quote: &quot;Mass tells space-time how to curve, and space-time tells mass how to move.&quot; &gt; If gravity…</p><p><a href="https://hackerpaper.kaipfister.de/p/gr-qc_0408051/">Paper and discussion history</a>. A mention is not an endorsement.</p>gr-qc