I think you need to step back from current physics, in order to understand.

For one thing, if intergalactic space actually expanded, why doesn't the speed of the light crossing it increase proportionally, in order to remain CONSTANT?

Two metrics are being derived from the same light, one based on the speed and one based on the spectrum. Given it is an expanding space theory and not a tired light theory, the speed is still the denominator.

Consider time; As these mobile organisms, this sentient interface our body has with its situation functions as a sequence of perceptions, in order to navigate, so our sense of time is as the present going past to future, but the evident reality is that activity and the resulting change turns future to past. Tomorrow becomes yesterday, because the earth turns.

There is no dimension of time, because the past is consumed by the present, to inform and drive it. Causality and conservation of energy. Cause becomes effect.

It's like a tapestry being woven of strands pulled from what was woven.

Energy is conserved, because it manifests this presence, creating time, temperature, pressure, color and sound. Frequencies and amplitudes, rates and degrees.

The energy, as presence, goes past to future, because the patterns generated coalesce and dissolve, future to past. Energy drives the wave, the fluctuations rise and fall. No tiny strings necessary.

Consciousness also goes past to future, while the perceptions, emotions and thoughts giving it form and structure go future to past. The digestive system processes the energy, feeding the flame, the nervous system sorts the patterns and the circulation system is feedback in the middle.

Galaxies are also energy radiating out, as structure coalesces in.

It would seem entropy for the patterns is to coalesce, synchronize, while entropy for the energy is to expand, consequently harmonizing, so we are in the middle, where the feedback loops are most complex.