# How could a 4D organism influence events in our world [closed]

I'm thinking in terms of: We three dimensional humans can draw a square on a paper--that is the squares universe. It could grow bigger if we attached more papers and drew more squares. If it were possible for a 4 spatial Dimensional element/living object with cognitive abilities to have contact with our world, how could it directly affect our individual lives? What are the limits to what it could do?

My best guess would be uninterrupted freedom to arrive at every time period; since the theory of relativity teaches that only objects without mass can travel at the speed of light and above. Mass is the measurement of atoms an object contains, so since we can only measure 3D atoms, their mass would likely not apply here.

EDIT: By 4-D organism, I meant spatial dimensions, not our perceived four dimensions of x,y,z + time. This organism likely has organs and physical features modelling R4. Tesseracts are commonplace "boxes" in the universe this organism comes from, among other regular objects implementing that interface. Let's say it gains access to our world through its civilisation's version of 3D glasses or perhaps telekinesis, it can see or communicate with a few spiritually advanced people who can perform astral travel and other metaphysical exercises. Furthermore, if it were probable for it to have a shadow, would its resulting image be some sort of hologram of the observer?

EDIT2: Someone in the comments mentioned something about this organism having mass just like us. To elucidate on my earlier point, what we know as mass is the measurement of particles. Now, we measure these particles in terms of electrons, protons and neutrons. Let's say there are other particles which we "overlook" because of our limitations. In our universe, this organism's mass will be unable to be measured in grams (which leads to my earlier conclusion that it has no mass here, hence can move at lightning speed). I hope this makes it clearer.

• The book Flatland would be a nice read – Ovi Jan 22 '17 at 22:05
• Ovi's recommendation is a good one. That being said, just having an organism in 4 dimensions isn't enough. You have to capture what its capabilities are. For example, we humans are quite often considered to be 4 dimensional beings: 3 spatial 1 temporal. It's called the perdurable view. Also, we often say "the 4th dimension is time" but that is not the only possible 4th dimension, its just one that is popularly called the 4th dimension. It would be reasonable for your creature to have 4 spatial dimensions (and probably 1 temporal dimension). – Cort Ammon - Reinstate Monica Jan 22 '17 at 22:21
• I have watched this video that summarized its plot. youtube.com/watch?v=C6kn6nXMWF0. I'm afraid it does not answer my question – Mmayboy Jan 22 '17 at 22:22
• Well, in 4D space every 3D object looks like an open box so your being would be able to easily reach inside any closed space (including inside people) – Samwise Jan 22 '17 at 22:27
• Since there are no limitations of specifics given on what is so '4D' about this 4D creature, this question is 'too broad.' There are so many ways to imagine what 4D means, and then given a definition of 4D, so many ways to imagine what might happen. – kingledion Jan 23 '17 at 2:51

Firstly, the 4D being would likely have mass just as regular beings do. Increasing the dimensionality of space is not known to eliminate the concept of mass. Secondly, if the 4D being is composed of particles approximately the size of the particles we know of, the probability of a particular 4D particle being precisely in our 3D plane of existence is very, very small (on the order of $10^{-33}$ for a reasonably sized 4D being trying to interact with out world). Because all forces we know of except gravity are confined to our 3D plane of existence according to string theory, a particle in the 4D being would have to be precisely in line with our 3D plane to interact with anything in it, a virtual impossibility. (Interestingly enough, this also makes the being invisible to us and us mostly invisible to the being.) Therefore, the only effective way for the being to alter our 3D plane would be through gravity, because it is thought to permeate all dimensions, not just our three.