This question is based on a simple assumption: that in environments with high energy density, perturbations—including light—propagate more slowly. Although this idea is not explicitly part of the standard framework, it appears consistent with a range of experimental and cosmological observations.

First, we know that light slows down when passing through denser materials. Not only that, but even within the same material, the speed of light can vary slightly with temperature—that is, with changes in local energy density. This suggests a potential link between the propagation of perturbations and the energy density of the surrounding medium.

Furthermore, some dense molecular clouds in our galaxy (such as W51 or Sagittarius B2) have persisted far longer than predicted by classical gravitational collapse models. One possible interpretation is that in regions of high energy density, the flow of time progresses more slowly, effectively extending the lifetimes of such structures.

At a cosmological scale, the same hypothesis could offer an alternative explanation for the observed accelerated expansion of the universe. As the universe expands, its energy density decreases. If the flow of time depends on this density, we might perceive distant regions—observed as they were in denser past epochs—as evolving more slowly than our own, creating the appearance of acceleration without invoking dark energy.

Similarly, the rotation curves of galaxies, typically explained through dark matter, might instead reflect changes in time flow due to the distribution of energy density across galactic structures.

On a microscopic level, certain quantum phenomena—such as superposition or wave function collapse—might also be interpreted as effects arising from internal desynchronizations in the flow of time between interacting systems.

Finally, from this perspective, mass itself could be understood as a manifestation of resistance to change in high-energy-density regions, naturally giving rise to gravitational phenomena without requiring additional entities.

Is it reasonable to consider that energy density may directly influence the flow of time, affecting phenomena as diverse as light propagation, cosmic structure dynamics, mass generation, and quantum behavior?

Any thoughts or comments on this possibility are most welcome.

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