Post: #1

I don't fully understand this. But I sense this could be an important scientific breakthrough.

It is an experiment which helps combine relativity and quantum mechanics. And shows that time is an emergent property with the use of entangled particles.

Any experiment which helps clarify our understanding of time is pretty novel. And entangled particles are some of the most mysterious things in science - so I am intrigued by the use of them in the experiment.

I am not sure what the best link to give is. So I will give this one and follow it up with any others which are clearer.

http://phantomsoapbox.blogspot.co.uk/201...me-is.html

Post: #2

A thread on quantum physics at the RVF?

Ah, and they call us lightweights!

Post: #3

Good find!

Post: #4

Here's an article from New Scientist on it:
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn24...quLhPRdXjI

Post: #5

Physics used to blow my mind when I was a teenager. I used to love reading about relativity, quantum mechanics and string theory.

But these days I am burned out.

I think the story above is interesting since it touches on the nature of time. But as for modern physics - I am totally burned out. My sense of wonder has being used up. I'm not kidding - there is literally nothing left that would amaze me anymore. It is just too weird to visualise and comprehend.

These days I prefer to take a step back and mull over philosophical questions. I don't think that work is as important as the work done in physics. But I do think it allows for a satisfying perspective on things. And it is alot more enjoyable.

It used to be with physics that you would have a few things (like time dilation, the double-slit experiment, black holes, the big bang, entangled particles and Schrodingers cat) which you could mull over. But now - every week there is some crazy new model talking about 14 dimensional spheres and what not. And I just cannot keep up anymore. I just have no barometer as to what the hell is going on - and whether or not it is physics anymore. Or just some mathematical noodling.

I am not complaining. I am just not smart enough to keep up with it. Although one of the best physicists in the world has similar reservations about modern physics. So maybe it is not just me:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Trouble_with_Physics

Still - it is too late for me. I am happy knowing I will never understand the physics underpinning the universe. Particularly since anything I do understand will no doubt one day be overturned long after my death. Which makes it all a little bit pointless.

At least with philosophy - you have a sense of structure which means everything you thought was true is unlikely to ever be suddenly overturned. Since philosophical progress doesn't seem to work like that.

Cardguy

PS Here is a post where I try to talk a bit more about the joys I get from philosophy that I don't get from physics.

/thread-25063-...#pid501932

There is no hate intended. I just am not smart enough to keep up with physics. Its like the difference between the explorer who is out unearthing new archaeological treasures (the physicist), and the guy who runs the museum, and cleans the treasures once a week (the philosopher).

Post: #6

A couple of things.

First: Lee Smolin, the author of "The Trouble with Physics", is very definitely not one of the best physicists in the world. In fact he's not even a good physicist at all. He is basically a troll, the physics equivalent of a loudmouth game denialist who couldn't get an HB5 if his life depended on it.

Second, there is absolutely nothing revolutionary or surprising in this experiment or its results -- and the authors do not claim otherwise. This simple little system evolves exactly according to the known laws of quantum mechanics, and all the experiment does is confirm it. This was obvious to begin with so it wasn't really an experiment worth doing.

All the spurious excitement stems from some irresponsible use of language by the writers who are hungry to trumpet a new revolution every day. No wonder people lose interest when there is so much worthless hype. However, there is no "trouble with physics". It continues to make progress just as it always has.

Post: #7

Thanks for the opinion on Lee Smolin. Interesting to have that as context when approaching his work.

Post: #8

You're very welcome, cardguy.

It sucks that "science writers" looking to increase website hits keep overhyping this or that new paper as "revolutionary" or something that "fundamentally changes our understanding of XYZ", and the reason it sucks is precisely because brilliant and intellectually curious guys like yourself get a kind of revolution fatigue and end up just being burnt out and losing interest.

You might be interested in reading Lubos Motl's blog to get the skinny on some of this stuff:

http://motls.blogspot.com/

Lubos is a smart guy. He can be goofy at times but he's generally pretty good at knowing who the crackpots are and what is worth paying attention to. Some of his posts are very technical and are really meant for specialists, but many aren't. I think you might enjoy it.

Post: #9

(12-13-2013 06:31 PM)cardguy Wrote:  But now - every week there is some crazy new model talking about 14 dimensional spheres and what not.

I like the idea of 10 dimensions, it makes the most sense to me. This video makes it pretty easy to grasp