Time, $E_8$, and the Standard Model

Based upon the unique and simple starting point of the continuous flow of time a physical theory is derived through an analysis of the elementary arithmetic composition and symmetries of this one-dimensional progression. We describe how the explicit development of the theory leads to a prediction of the unique and largest exceptional Lie group E8 as the full `symmetry of time', and hence as the unification group for the physical theory. This proposal results from the identification of a series of esoteric properties of the Standard Model of particle physics from a series of intermediate augmentations in the `multi-dimensional form of time'. These physical properties derive from the breaking of the full symmetry of time through the necessary interposition of an external 4-dimensional spacetime arena, itself constructed from a 4-dimensional form of time, as the background to all observations. The basic conceptual picture is presented together with reviews of a number of references regarding E8 structures which may provide a significant guide in pursuing the goal of converging upon a complete unified theory.