[jeffreyH (OP)]

Has anyone ever considered that dark energy may be necessary to enable gravity to affect spacetime? The interaction of the dark energy field with the gravitational field would be an interesting topic for discussion.

[Ethos_]

Hey Jeff; You may want to look into QST, short for "Quantum Space Theory".


This theory suggests that space is composed of discrete Planck sized units resembling a fractal array. A few theorists have proposed that space/time viewed in this way would place dark energy and dark matter within a region outside our present 4 dimensional space. Viewed in this manner, their gravitational influence would still effect us in our own dimensional realm.

I'm still learning about this theory myself so the possibility remains that I may have misinterpreted some of the details. I am however very intrigued by this theory and will continue to investigate it at length.

[jeffreyH (OP)]

The following is very interesting although I am not sure if it is in the same vein as Quantum Space Theory.

Whoops forgot the link.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_spacetime

[PmbPhy]

Has anyone ever considered that dark energy may be necessary to enable gravity to affect spacetime?

No. I doubt it. But there's no reason to believe it would.

[Ethos_]

Jeff; I found this video on YouTube that does a pretty good job of explaining Quantum Space/Time. Just go on to YouTube and search "quantum space/time". It will list several videos but the one I'd recommend is titled:

The Dark Side of Time.

I think you will enjoy the information they share here and I'd encourage you and everyone interested to check it out.................Regards; Ethos_