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News & ArtsTuesday, February 9, 2010
Science For Those Who Know Nothing About String Theory
Posted by Charles Mudede on Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 8:30 AM
This is an antidote to the Super Bowl:
1
I just finished a book called The Genie In Your Genes, and concepts touched upon in it are "entanglement" and "string theory" (but not connectively). You have a neat way of dipping your toe in the synchronicity pool, Charles.
2
@that is a wonderful book. but my inspiration is dub. i love all the echoes generated by the strong and weak references.
3
Unfortunately I cannot view the video (I am at work), but for a great series on String Theory I recommend Brian Greene's series on PBS (NOVA) The Elegant Universe.
5
Speaking of synchronicity, I so made a string theory joke during the super bowl. Mostly because I spent the super bowl trying to untangle a ball of yarn on the other end of my girlfriend's knitting.
8
String theory isn't all that, it's a forced unified theory. And you can draw some scary parallels with intelligent design.
It's not that it's BAD, but even Brain Greene gives his work a healthy enough bit skepticism.
I also think "theory" has been applied rather loosely as no one has really done an experiment to justify these arbitrary strings.
It's not that it's BAD, but even Brain Greene gives his work a healthy enough bit skepticism.
I also think "theory" has been applied rather loosely as no one has really done an experiment to justify these arbitrary strings.
9
Hang on a second Charles, how many Ph. D. physicists are actually USING their degrees?
A lot of studies are coming out to show how tiered and political science has become.
http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/car…
Not mention the crappy home life, lack of money, and you think that some hollywood scientist speaks for ALL scientists?
Jesus, I would rather play football, at least I would be stuck with the student loan debt for my next to useless degree.
I could be exaggerating ... but not by much.
A lot of studies are coming out to show how tiered and political science has become.
http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/car…
Not mention the crappy home life, lack of money, and you think that some hollywood scientist speaks for ALL scientists?
Jesus, I would rather play football, at least I would be stuck with the student loan debt for my next to useless degree.
I could be exaggerating ... but not by much.
10
@9: As a physics B.Sc with lots of friends who went on for M.Sc. or Ph.D. degrees, I can say that by the time the average student is considering a Ph.D., they already have enough ins in the field to be assured a career, albeit not a very lucrative one.
So in answer to your question: Most of them.
So in answer to your question: Most of them.
12
@9: Depends on time since PhD. Two years after PhD, probably a majority. Ten years after PhD, maybe 25%. (I'm assuming you mean they're using their degree by working as a physicist, not using degree-related skills in some other field.)
String theory is to physics what unicorns are to biology. A nice idea, but probably a waste of time.
String theory is to physics what unicorns are to biology. A nice idea, but probably a waste of time.
13
I'm not a physicist, but the more I look at string theory, the more I think it's wrong. It has yet to make a single testable prediction. In the absence of that, it's mathematical masturbation. It's a metaphor covering up a huge misunderstanding about how the world works. And some day we'll figure out what that misunderstanding is and string theory will take its place beside the theory of phlogiston.
14
@13 You have it right. It is essentially "intelligent science design" in that as long as you assume it is true it fills i the holes in our knowledge. This is not science based on rational thought and the experimental scientific method.
Phlogiston is a great example but I also like to think of the theories of aether. One great example is luminiferous aether which states that light travels through the "aether" which can explain its otherworldly properties. Also gravity was thought at one point to travel through aether.
There is always a scientific theory that just explains things but they are always proven wrong in the end. String theory is most likely just another in a long series of incorrect theories.
Phlogiston is a great example but I also like to think of the theories of aether. One great example is luminiferous aether which states that light travels through the "aether" which can explain its otherworldly properties. Also gravity was thought at one point to travel through aether.
There is always a scientific theory that just explains things but they are always proven wrong in the end. String theory is most likely just another in a long series of incorrect theories.
15
Yes, after 10 years most of them jump ship on the research path and do just about anything else, usually policy.
As for those that stay on the research pattern? Yes there are exceptions, but the quality of life ... is often ghastly.
As for those that stay on the research pattern? Yes there are exceptions, but the quality of life ... is often ghastly.
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