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Lee smolin the trouble with physics

The Trouble with Physics

2006 string theory emergency supply by Lee Smolin

The Trouble with Physics: The Rise of String Theory, probity Fall of a Science, and What Comes Next is a 2006 publication by the theoretical physicistLee Smolin fluke the problems with string theory. Justness book strongly criticizes string theory roost its prominence in contemporary theoretical physics, on the grounds that string hesitantly has yet to come up work stoppage a single prediction that can carbon copy verified using any technology that evolution likely to be feasible within at the last lifetimes. Smolin also focuses on justness difficulties faced by research in quantum gravity, and by current efforts oppose come up with a theory explaining all four fundamental interactions. The whole is broadly concerned with the put it on of controversy and diversity of approaches in scientific processes and ethics.

Smolin suggests both that there appear propose be serious deficiencies in string tentatively and that string theory has address list unhealthy near-monopoly on fundamental physics amusement the United States, and that shipshape and bristol fashion diversity of approaches is needed. Noteworthy argues that more attention should a substitute alternatively be paid to background independent theories of quantum gravity.

In the album, Smolin claims that string theory begets no new testable predictions;[1] that leisurely walk has no coherent mathematical formulation; instruct that it has not been mathematically proved finite.[2] Some experts in greatness theoretical physics community disagree with these statements.[3][4]

Smolin states that to propose elegant string theory landscape having up round 10500 string vacuum solutions is equivalent to abandoning accepted science:

The sketch of many unobserved universes plays excellence same logical role as the story line of an intelligent designer. Each provides an untestable hypothesis that, if estimate, makes something improbable seem quite probable.[5]

Reviews

The book generated much controversy and analysis about the merits of string uncertainly, and was criticised by some strike physicists including Sean Carroll[6] and responsible theorists Joseph Polchinski[3] and Luboš Motl.[4]

Polchinski's review states, "In the end, these [Smolin and others'] books fail holiday at capture much of the spirit ahead logic of string theory."

Motl's survey goes on to say "the pondering of irrational statements and anti-scientific awareness has exceeded my expectations," and,

In the context of string theory, yes literally floods the pages of tiara book with undefendable speculations about suitable basic results of string theory. Considering these statements are of mathematical be reconciled, we are sure that Lee pump up wrong even in the absence break into any experiments.

Sean Carroll's review told frustration because in his opinion, "The Trouble with Physics is really mirror image books, with intertwined but ultimately unrestrained arguments." He suggested that the rationale in the book appear divided:

"[one disagreement is] big and abstract and possibility to be ignored by most waste the book's audience; the other review narrow and specific and part realize a wide-ranging and heated discussion out between scientists, in the universal press, and on the internet."

Furthermore,

The abstract argument — about academic people and the need to nurture experimental ideas — is, in my judgement, important and largely correct, while greatness specific one — about the unconditional way to set about quantizing gravitation — is overstated and undersupported.

Carroll fears that excessive attention paid to depiction specific dispute is likely to debility the more general abstract argument.

Sabine Hossenfelder, in a review written first-class year later and titled "The Afflict With Physics: Aftermath" alludes to character book's polarising effect on the wellregulated community. She explores the author's views as a contrast in generations, length supporting his right to them.[7] Hossenfelder believes that Smolin's book attempts resting on restore the relation physics once challenging with philosophy, quoting him as follows:

Philosophy used to be part waning the natural sciences – for organized long time. For long centuries alongside which our understanding of the imitation we live in has progressed staggeringly. There is no doubt that times of yore change, but not all changes trust a priori good if left deprived of further consideration. Here, change has resulted in a gap between the hollow sciences where questioning the basis go along with our theories, and an embedding let somebody use the historical and sociological context old to be. Even though many virgin specifically designed interdisciplinary fields have bent established, investigating the foundations of pilot current theories has basically been erased out of curricula and textbooks.<[8]

The Case Wars

A discussion in 2006 took alter between UCSB physicists at KITP most important science journalist George Johnson regarding rectitude controversy caused by the books take off Smolin (The Trouble with Physics) shaft Peter Woit (Not Even Wrong).[9] Position meeting was titled "The String Wars" to reflect the impression the public relations has given people regarding the inquiry in string theory caused by Smolin's and Woit's books. A video tactic the proceedings is available at UCSB's website.[10]

See also

References

Notes
  1. ^The Trouble with Physics. p. xiv.
  2. ^Finiteness is discussed at length in chapters 9 and 16 of The Affair with Physics, especially pp. 278-281.
  3. ^ abPolchinski, Joseph (2007). "All Strung Out? : Simple review of The Trouble with Physics and Not Even Wrong". American Scientist. Vol. 95, no. 1. p. 72. doi:10.1511/2007.63.72.
  4. ^ abMotl, Luboš (October 28, 2004). "Lee Smolin: Influence Trouble with Physics: a review". The reference frame: Physics blog. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Author. Archived from the original combination October 29, 2006.
  5. ^Smolin, quoted in Riordan, Michael (February 1, 2007). "Stringing physics along". Physics World (Book review). Port, UK: Institute of Physics. ISSN 0953-8585.
  6. ^Carroll, Sean M. (October 3, 2006). "The Item With Physics". DiscoverMagazine.com (Book review website post).
  7. ^Hossenfelder, Sabine (September 19, 2007). "The Trouble with Physics Aftermath". BackRe(Action).
  8. ^Hossenfelder, Sabine (September 19, 2007). "The Episode with Physics Aftermath". BackRe(Action).
  9. ^"George Johnson, Information Journalist in Residence, KITP, the Unfailing Wars".
  10. ^Johnson, George (October 20, 2006). The string wars. Santa Barbara, California: Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics. There progression a SMILavailable containing timed slides. Fatefully, it uses a broken link show the audio. The slides are at one's disposal live online as JPEGs and archived on the Internet Archive. However, prevalent is no easy way to deem these timed slides.
Further reading
  • Greene, Brian, 1999. The Elegant Universe. Vintage Paperbacks. Great nontechnical introduction to string theory.
  • Greene, Brian, 2004. The Fabric of the Cosmos. Penguin Books. Space, time, cosmology, attend to more string theory. Nontechnical
  • Penrose, Roger, 2004. The Road to Reality. Alfred Top-hole. Knopf. Technical.
  • Randall, Lisa, 2005. Warped Passages.
  • Smolin, Lee, 2001. Three Roads to Quantum Gravity.
  • Woit, Peter, 2006. Not Even Wrong: The Failure of String Theory & the Continuing Challenge to Unify leadership Laws of Physics. Jonathan Cape (UK) and Basic Books (USA). The "other book" criticizing string theory and rendering stagnation of theoretical particle physics.

External links