QUOTEIts important when you consider what you are saying when you say "time". The best discription we have is some form of hyperbolic space. Therefore, when you say "speed", you would be refering to a "perception".I'll explain:Speed = Distance / Time or; Speed = Distance / Quantizied Representation of Hyperbolic DistanceAn output such as meters per second, miles per hour is really "Linear Distance per Hyperbolic Distance". This produces an arc.Therefore "speed" is a "conceptual" and the true output of such is EXCLUSIVELY distance.Your problem is your concept of "Time", thus your interpretation of what speed actually means in real terms, is incorrect.Those who lean towards VSL do not understand their basic relativity too well, as Variable Distance Transversed By Light (VDTL) is ALL it could ever be.I'll bet your head hurts...it continues:QUOTEI'll explain that better. Time is different depending on the frame of reference of the observer.You are trying to say "entropy" changes as you approach the speed of light...no.Time has a dual sense, it is both a measurement and a physical aspect of of a relative universe.it continues:QUOTEquote: VSL in its purest sense means that the SOL can be altered, most notably by gravity.Gravity would alter the linear path, making it move in a curve relative to the source. Therefore, it would travel a longer or shorter linear distance, thus giving the "illusion" of altering speed. The same would happen at a blackhole.quote: In other words, in the absence of any gravity, SOL is higher than we measure it here on earth.No, the speed of light in a vacuum is well known. The speed of light in space, is the same as on Earth. Light does not slow down when entering the atmosphere, it must travel further because of all the interactions. An increase in linear distance.quote: Additionally, where gravity is extremely high (event horizon of a BH) the SOL is essentially zero.A BH alters both time and distance. This would be because it drops off into an infinity. Light is still traveling at light speed, it just has an infinite distance to cover.quote: This would answer the age old question of, "What happens to mass that has fallen into a BH?" What if it never does? If you adjust the SOL to 0, time stops, and the infalling matter stops with it. This would also explain why the {purported} BHs at the centers of spiral galaxies continue to grow exponentially, and we can see them!Light can escape, that is common misconception. It is travelling an infinite path on a single plane, its not "trapped" per se.Its free to travel other planes, which are not infinite, hence, you see the light....