everybody knows that an object does not actually contract but looks like contracting when a rest observer measures the length. but then again, you can say the length actually shrinks while rorentz transform simply because physical measurement has meaning only in terms of what coordinates you are taking. it is not a paradox. the length ACTUALLY shrinks in rest frame. rorentz contraction is equivalent to rotation in space-time coordinates. ( proved in 1970's althought it is way too elementary. you can even derive it. ) guys don't babble as if you know something... :) anway, when you are alone in universe observing stars and galaxies moving around you but could not determine it's distance from you, what kind of geometry you will get? projective geometry ! the geometry of its space is not determined by pure mathematical manifold but the actual measurement of the space. special relativity or general relativity .... everything is just in the eyes of beholder.