Einstien's special theory of relativity is about measurements between frames of reference in a state of non acceleration. It is an observation that the velocity of light is independent of the relative velocity between observer and the source. From this Lorenze postulated a length contraction to allow for this. Einstien derived the same equation from the observations.
If you look at this equation there is no special frame so any frame may be taken as the reference frame.
Let us consider the passage of mesons from the origin in the upper atmosphere to their arrival at a counter on the earth's surface. The observer "sees" the origin from his frame and since he is "looking" at the meson then this point is only a few feet above the laboratory roof because of the lorenze contraction. Thus accounting for the short passage time. The "meson" "sees" the path it travels from the upper atmosphere to the surface as the same few feet as it is "looking" at the observer's reference frame.
It seems to me that there is no real contraction, only an effect similar to perspective as a result of the way light travels and is only an appearance.
Relativity is 4-space perspective.
This would mean that a journey in a very fast space craft to a nearby solar system (say 10 light years) would take a time given after the length contraction and time contraction had been allowed for. (This is called the 4-velocity) I suggest that the 4-velocity is the "real" velocity and what we see is the result of 4-space perspective.
It would therefore be possible for deep space journeys with a fast spacecraft in normal time spans. (By fast I mean velocities close to that of light - say closer than 99%c).
It also strikes me that since all frames are equivalent the "Twin Paradox" does not occur, the two brothers will agree both about the time and distance travelled.
Since perspective is the projection of 3-space to 2-space then relativity is the projection of 4-space to 3-space.
Chris Strevens (C) 1999