The paradox of the conscious “now” in a timeless universe: a multitrack solution

This essay examines the fundamental inconsistency between the relativistic block universe view of spacetime and subjective conscious experience, particularly the paradox of the privileged now moment contained in the timeless reality of the block universe. Addressing two postulates—that we live in a four-dimensional block universe where all moments coexist, and that conscious experience of the present moment is real—in this essay, I argue for the viability of multitrack consciousness to reconcile these views. This conjecture suggests that multiple versions of our conscious selves exist simultaneously across time, with each version only capable of experiencing a single now, thus providing a solution to the paradox described above. I further explore the implications of this multiplicity of selves for self-identity, emotions, and memory, addressing the prospect of shared experiences within a block universe framework. This conjecture offers a new perspective on time, consciousness, and the self, inviting further interdisciplinary exploration.