Eugene Shubert wrote:
> 
> "Special relativity destroyed the concept of ether. General relativity
> resurrected it."
> 
> If we are to think of GR as a mechanistic theory, then I would be
> forced to agree. The concept of an aether is required. Spacetime
> is the aether.

GR is a geometric theory. Mechanistic theories are superseded.

Bob Kolker