said by dolphins :

...I want to dwell even deeper by ignoring these laws and possibly touching on quantum physics where anything is possible...

said by ZOverLord :

We don't even understand Dark Energy, yet we admit without it galaxies could not stay bound as they are, so it's here, like it or not. So, without that 90+ percent of the Universe that virtually the entire scientific community admits is presently composed of Dark Energy, but cannot be located or measured, we would not be having this conversation, if you want to call it nothing, call it nothing, but it is the bulk of the universe and then some.

How does gravity make the distance between points a to d increase?

Fact. the areas, voids, in space between galaxies are getting larger, and increasing at a faster rate over time than the same area of space that contains matter. So there is a selective expansion going on, and we can measure it.

This is in fact how the Universe was proved to be expanding. Dark Energy has been assigned the cause of this, because this expansion is at a rate greater than the areas within galaxies. This does not allow us to see Dark Energy nor measure it, but to be able to see the effect of it. Much like we cannot see a black hole, but we can see the results of a black hole.

Internally, even within galaxies, we can see that the outer portions of galaxies rotate at the same speed as the inner portion, and we know this is NOT mathematically possible without Dark Energy as well.

said by ZOverLord :

You say "There are alternative theories, none proved."

Which are?

You say "The reason they are galaxies in the first place is because gravity attracted all that mass together."

Math proves that gravity is not strong enough to do this alone based on visible mass.

You say "Black holes were predicted as a consequence of relativity that was not even intended. Dark matter/energy did not come about until someone needed a quick and dirty way to explain some odd observances."

Again, the outer portions of galaxies are rotating as fast as the inner portions, and the math proves this is impossible to be done by the force of gravity alone.

The voids in space between galaxies are expanding at an ever increasing rate. This is measurable.

You say "You realize there ARE competing theories, right?"

What are some others?

I find it interesting that you are able to refute Dark Energy/Matter theory, but yet not open minded to other theory as well. What gives with that?

said by Tzale :

"It has been disproved..."

"...there isn't a conspiracy to make one theory more accepted than another."

said by Smatchimo :

You said that in the same paragraph btw...

said by Tzale :

People spend their entire lives studying how all this works, and a few of you guys think you are qualified to say that the traditional views on this subject are BS... For one, I am not a scientist, I'm just stating my views... The difference between myself and others in this thread is that I am actually thinking about it, rather than sitting here and accepting what is fed to me via a slanted video.

-Tzale

said by Sly :

I agree with what you are saying... but "qualifications" are purely speculative. I don't think you meant it this way... but there is no way in hell I am going to let someone think for me, including doctorate level mind lemmings. Just like I don't believe every cool video I see on the internet, I don't believe every article that comes out of Scientific American or National Geographic either. Thinking for yourself is becoming a lost art. It's easier to assimilate and indoctrinate than it is to truly educate.