I apologize for any confusion, but I did not state that time dilation is an illusion or disregard prior empirical evidence. Time dilation is a well-established phenomenon supported by extensive experimental evidence and confirmed through various experiments and observations.
The effects of time dilation have been verified through numerous experiments, including measurements of the decay rates of unstable particles, the behavior of atomic clocks in different gravitational fields, and high-precision experiments such as the Hafele-Keating experiment.
These experiments consistently show that time dilation occurs and that the measured passage of time is influenced by factors such as relative velocity and gravitational fields. The predictions of time dilation made by Einstein's theory of relativity have been tested and confirmed to a high degree of precision.
The concept of time dilation is an integral part of modern physics and has been substantiated by a wealth of experimental data.
If you have any specific questions or concerns about time dilation or any related topic, I would be happy to provide further information and clarification based on the available scientific evidence.