when einstein describes the movement of obects in space via one object “bending the fabric” of space, what is that fabric of space exactly?

Question

Like in this demonstration: https://youtu.be/MTY1Kje0yLg?si=tohjaO8JBmt7IpWo

The movement of two objects is explained using Einstein’s theory of objects in space bending the fabric of space to cause one object to move in relation to another.

My question is what makes up the “fabric of space” that is being bent? As in the example of the linked video, what in space makes up what that blue fabric represents?

In: 3

Answer 1

Einstein called the metaphor a “crutch”. At best it’s a mental aid. At worst it locks people into thinking of relativity that might not be ontologically correct. Einstein still thought about gravity as a real force, not a property of geometry. Also, Einstein was wrong about a lot of things, so maybe he was wrong in his thinking about this too.