Time is no more an illusion than temperature, pressure, color, sound. Think frequencies and amplitudes. Just how we interpret them.

Smolin’s view on time is that even natural laws need to evolve and develop. That they are not integral to the void, but describe the processes and patterns, as they develop. So time, as process, has to be the original element.

My view is more circular. As I pointed out, both the infinite and equilibrium/the absolute, are entropic directions, for energy and form.

Since there is always and only the physical present, laws are manifestations of this tension. Such as systems becoming increasingly complex, until they become unstable, then the wave crests and they devolve back to more fluid states. Such as form coalescing, while radiating energy.

Obviously there would be a lot of physics trying to work out all the permutations and I mostly apply my efforts to how they describe and explain biological and social dynamics. Youth/age, liberal/conservative, etc.