what is the big bang and how do i understand it?

I brought this up on that other thread on relativity.I realize that from our perspective, time and space are real, and I can accept that mathematical concepts are "real", but one of the things I have wanted to get at is what aspect of reality is "more real" and thinking the way to do that is to consider qualities that are true across the board, and qualities that are not always true or existing.In trying to do this, and reading and listening to physicists, and considering theological ideas as well, it appears to me that time and space are somewhat "less real", or not always existing.Let me explain. I had realized from school that a photon travelling at the speed of light, if we could measure from that perspective, experiences no time due to special relativity, right? Everything is just now.I didn't realize until a couple of weeks ago that length contraction would also eliminate space if we did a measurement from the photon's perspective, but learned that from the other thread.Well, that being the case, it seems to me that we cannot say that time and space exist from every vantage point in the universe, and thus the universe must consist of something more fundamental than space and time. Maybe it's those mathematical concepts and equations, the information, that is primary and time and space are secondary or derived aspects, which are not always present from every perspective.As a layman, this is how it appears to me.Maybe you could tell me how I'm wrong? Or if not, surely some physicists have thought along these lines and you could point me in the direction of where to see what they have to say in this regard?I know I'm asking for info while you are busy, but hey, you get to show off, and your ego can be stroked by sharing tidbits with the rest of us.Also, I would be interested in anyone else's answers or thoughts in this area that is reading.

Cavediver, thanks for responding, and I do appreciate it and may just be too dense to get this right away, but .....could you elaborate a little more? Well, if we were to measure distance and time from the perspective of the photon, would time and distance be apparent and "real" or not?Your explanation almost makes it sound like this is a mere mathematical deviation from reality, and not what would be in reality; that distance and time would be measured.I do realize that space and time are not eliminated in the sense that they still would exist, but just not apparent from that perspective; and if that's the case, then they only exist as part of a different perspective?Right or no? Arrghh! But if we measure the metric from one perspective, the distance and time is zero. That seems to suggest the metric can exist without distance and time from that perspective.This message has been edited by randman, 08-26-2005 04:39 PM