What's your definition of "God"? - Page 16

Atom · 01-31-2008, 04:07 PM

Big bang suggests the beginning of everything. String theories offer a theory to suggest that big bang was not the beginning of everything, from what I gather, and it somehow upsets the theory of relativity as well, a theory that big bang hinges upon, unless I'm mistaken. Now, what I gather may be wrong, tell me what you think.?

Rankenstein · 02-01-2008, 03:16 AM

String theory seems a bit flaky to me, I must admit. As far as I know, string theory has yet to make any predictions about what we would expect to see if it were true.

Predictions, as we know, are the cornerstone of a scientific theory.

No predictions, therefore no scientific theory. Apparently the maths of it is very elegant, and apparently it provides quite a consistent representation of quantum gravity (no, I don't know the specifics) but as I say, no predictions therefore it isn't a scientific theory.

Atom · 02-01-2008, 05:29 AM

The more I read about string theory, the more I understand why so many scientists are working hard to detect the existence of these currently theoretical strings. Once detected, which may or may not happen, it's a whole new ball game. This quest to detect these strings is extremely important scientific study, IMO.

Atom · 02-01-2008, 06:15 AM

"Ideas from string theory have had a major influence on proposals for physics beyond the Standard Model."

I have this strange feeling that the current "standard model" is in for some big trouble.

Atom · 02-01-2008, 06:28 AM

Very interesting read, this theoretical physics, but I wish I was a bit more educated. My interest is compromised by confusion, due to my lack of education. I didn't take physics or even algebra in high school .. that makes it pretty tough reading this stuff. I have to click on almost every externally linked word in the Wiki articles on this subject. This of course can create more confusion. LOL

DarthMall · 02-01-2008, 08:33 AM

Yea, our scientific laws are all Earth-based. Based on observations here, we then extend those same principals to everything outside of Earth. But there are many unexplained phenomena that require alternative theories. Sorry I can not provide a solid example, but black holes and dark matter are key points of interest for scientists. They can not prove exactly what is happening or why it is happening. Maybe their method is flawed.

I guess what I am getting at is the idea that science is relative to the times, if that makes any sense. Maybe the answers we are looking for are there, but we are still unable to process the information due to our lack of understanding. I'm still wondering what humans would be capable of if we were able to use half of our brain capacity. Supposedly we only use 10% of our brains. What amazing potential lies within?

Rankenstein · 02-01-2008, 08:34 AM

The confusion of it stems from me not being able to do the maths too.

I've read loads of books about it, I understand the language to explain it, and I'm familiar with the concepts underlying it - e.g. if someone says 'blah blah Kaluza-Klein theory' I know they mean 'five-dimensional space'; and if someone says 'tesseract' I know they mean a hypercube, but the actual maths is pretty much a closed book to me. I just have to take it as read that Kaluza Klein theory helps explain Maxwell's Field Equations amongst other things. See? That's all off the top of my head. If I say:
"Well of course, String Theory is really based on the Kaluza Klein five-dimensional equations from the '20s, it's just extended into more dimensions" it sounds pretty impressive.

"It all depends on whether you follow M-theory or F-theory strings, that's 11 and 12 dimensions respectively."

Knowledge behind that? Mathematical understanding? Ability to check if it really makes sense? None whatsoever. I might as well be a parrot saying "La plume de ma tante".

So we're largely in the same boat I think, Atom. By we, I think we can extend that to humans in general too.

Scuba Steve · 02-01-2008, 10:19 AM

I always liked to entertain this idea that our universe is just an atom in a marble or something, universes look strangely like atoms, I dont know I like to think about that

Atom · 02-01-2008, 07:56 PM

I have a hard time grasping just basic physics, let alone this M-theory and stuff. I sometimes wish it didn't interest me so much because there's a lot that I don't readily comprehend and I don't think I've that many years left. lol

Atom · 02-01-2008, 08:05 PM

Heck, Rank seems a genius to me, actually several of you do. I barely figured out how to remember my times tables, and long division, hell I can't even remember how to do it. I really did not pay attention in school for real. I don't know how the hell I graduated high school I honestly don't. I hated learning for the most part and I had no problem proving it. LOL

StrongInTheArm · 02-02-2008, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atom

Heck, Rank seems a genius to me, actually several of you do. I barely figured out how to remember my times tables, and long division, hell I can't even remember how to do it. I really did not pay attention in school for real. I don't know how the hell I graduated high school I honestly don't. I hated learning for the most part and I had no problem proving it. LOL

Education is a life long pursuit Atom. It ain't necessarily what you learn at school that matters as long as you continue to pursue your own understanding of the Universe in your own way.

Stop putting yourself down, leave that to us.

Atom · 02-02-2008, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StrongInTheArm

... Stop putting yourself down, leave that to us.

If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.

maroon · 02-02-2008, 01:17 AM

on a lighter note

Dog is god spelled backwards - Snoop Dogg

StrongInTheArm · 02-02-2008, 01:41 AM

True, true, true.

Looking back I think school and University put my mind in a kind of straight jacket. It was a good discipline, but it took a number of years before I could think properly and creatively afterwards. Swings and roundabouts.

Atom · 02-02-2008, 01:48 AM

I don't really know if I could hack that kind of discipline. I may surprise myself though, I'm not nearly as stubborn as I used to be. 54 is probably a little old to be starting though, I'm thinking.

jdspc · 02-02-2008, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StrongInTheArm

Looking back I think school and University put my mind in a kind of straight jacket. It was a good discipline, but it took a number of years before I could think properly and creatively afterwards. Swings and roundabouts.

Can that quote be posted as a mantra somewhere? Please!

StrongInTheArm · 02-02-2008, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atom

I don't really know if I could hack that kind of discipline. I may surprise myself though, I'm not nearly as stubborn as I used to be. 54 is probably a little old to be starting though, I'm thinking.

Too old? Perhaps, or perhaps you lack a little confidence? Don't let your age be a barrier. We only get one chance at life. Instead of why, it is often better to ask why not?

I wish someone had told me the above some twenty years ago.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdspc

Can that quote be posted as a mantra somewhere? Please!

Its posted here.

Atom · 02-02-2008, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StrongInTheArm

Too old? Perhaps, or perhaps you lack a little confidence? Don't let your age be a barrier. We only get one chance at life. Instead of why, it is often better to ask why not?

I wish someone had told me the above some twenty years ago. ...

Well, you're right but I should have said health, I referred to age in an attempt to skirt the real issue which is health. : /