The strand model - hmm

[FrankSh]

Is this serious? The guy on http://www.motionmountain.net/research.html claims:

If you enjoy playing with ideas and then checking them against the real world, you might like the following proposal for the final theory of physics. The strand model presented below
- is based on one simple fundamental principle,
- contains quantum theory - and allows no alternative,
- contains the standard model of particle physics - and allows no alternative,
- contains general relativity - and allows no alternative,
- agrees with all known experimental data,
- makes clear predictions that are being tested around the world.
Prepare yourself for a rollercoaster ride trough modern physics, for the excitement of solving one of the toughest puzzles known, for an adventure that leads beyond space and time!

I am skeptical. The model has no equations, but is hard to understand. It has its charms, though. He describes particles as knots and then claims to deduce quantum theory. Wild, but charming.

[Bogie]

Is this serious? The guy on http://www.motionmountain.net/research.html claims:

I am skeptical. The model has no equations, but is hard to understand. It has its charms, though. He describes particles as knots and then claims to deduce quantum theory. Wild, but charming.

I am skeptical too, but agree with the charm of a cosmology that preports to do all that . The thing about including incompatible theories is that they can't all be right as they stand. The unifying speculation becomes the crux of the new theory.

Have you downloaded the free version and familiarized yourself with the unifying speculation? I noticed that the full list of requirements for any final theory is the same as the content of your thread in the Theory Characteristics forum.

[labelwench]

I have just downloaded the PDF and only started into reading it, as an absolute neophyte where these matters are concerned, save what I have picked up from my time at the forum, which leads me to the understanding that we just do not know the answers at present, though there be many theories.

The author makes it very clear that this volume is purely speculative, and I copy the following from page 20 of the document.

At the end of this path, we will thus have unravelled the mystery of motion. It is a truly
special adventure. But be warned: almost all of the story presented here is still speculative,
and thus open to question.With almost every sentence you will find at least one
physicist who disagrees.That makes it even more fun.

Motion Mountain – The Adventure of Physics pdf file available free of charge at www.motionmountain.net Copyright © Christoph Schiller November 1997–November 2010

What I find remarkable is that the individual is making this work available without charge, which is a rare thing in itself in this commercialized world.

[labelwench]

As the author is distributing his work for free, I feel comfortable in posting the following from it, as it demonstrates considerable sense of humor and humility, IMO. Highlighting added by me. LW

Against a final theory

A fixed list of arguments are repeated regularly against the search for a final unified theory
of motion. Reaching the final theory and enjoying the adventure is only possible if
these arguments are known – and then put gently aside.

— It is regularly said that a final theory cannot exist because nature is infinite and mysteries will always remain. But this statement is wrong. First, nature is not infinite.
Second, even if it were infinite, knowing and describing everything would still be
possible.Third, even if knowing and describing everything would be impossible, and
if mysteries would remain, a final theory remains possible. A final theory is not useful
for every issue of everyday life, such as choosing your dish on a menu or your future
profession. A final theory is simply a full description of the foundations of motion:
the final theory combines and explains particle physics and general relativity.

— It is sometimes argued that a final theory cannot exist due to Gödel’s incompleteness
theorem or due to computational irreducibility. However, in such arguments, both theorems are applied to domains were they are not valid.The reasoning is thus wrong.

— Some state that it is not clear whether a final theory exists at all. This is wrong. Physical theories are ways to talk about nature, and for the final theory we only have to search for those concepts that enable us to talk with precision about all of motion. Because we are looking for a way to talk,we know that the final theory must exist. And searching for it is fascinating and exciting, as everybody busy with this adventure will confirm.

— Some claim that the search for a final theory is a reductionist endeavour and cannot
Ref. 5 lead to success, because reductionism is flawed.This claim is wrong on three counts.
First, it is not clear whether the search is a reductionist endeavour, as will become
clear later on. Second, there is no evidence that reductionism is flawed. Third, even
if it were, no reason not to pursue the quest would follow. The claim in fact invites
to search with a larger scope than was done in the past decades – an advice that will
turn out to be spot on.

— Some argue that searching for a final theory makes no sense as long as the measurement
problem of quantum theory is not solved, or consciousness is not understood,
Ref. 6 or the origin of life is not understood. Now, the measurement problem is solved by
Vol. IV, page 120 decoherence, and in order to combine particle physics with general relativity, understanding the details of consciousness or of the origin of life is not required. Neither is understanding or solving marriage problems required – though this might help.

— Some people claim that searching for a final theory is a sign of foolishness or a sin of
pride. Such small and enviousminds should simply be ignored; the nastier specimens
might deserve to be ridiculed.The quest is the search for the solution to a riddle.
Ref. 7 — Some believe that understanding the final theory means to read the mind of god, or
to think like god, or to be like god. This is false, as any expert on god will confirm.
In fact, solving a riddle or reading a physics textbook does not transform people into gods.This is unfortunate, as such an effect would provide excellent advertising.

— Some fear that knowing the final theory yields immense power that harbours huge
dangers of misuse, in short, that knowing the final theory might change people into devils. However, this fear is purely imaginary; it only describes the fantasies of the
person that is talking. Indeed, the millennium description of physics is already quite
near to the final theory, and nothing to be afraid of has happened. Sadly, another great
advertising opportunity is eliminated.

— Some people object that various researchers in the past have thought to have found
the final theory, but were mistaken, and that many great minds tried to find a final
theory, but had no success. That is true. Some failed because they lost contact with
reality, others because they lacked the necessary tools for a successful search, and still
others because they were led astray by prejudices that limited their progress.We just
have to avoid these mistakes.

In short, we can reach the final unified theory – which we symbolically place at the top of
Motion Mountain – only if we are not burdened with ideological or emotional baggage.
The goal we have set requires extreme thinking, i.e., thinking up to the limits. After all,
unification is the precise description of all motion.Therefore, unification is a riddle; and
searching for it is a pastime. A riddle is best approached with the lightness that is intrinsic to playing. Life is short: we should play whenever we can. Let’s start.

[labelwench]

The author of this book demonstrates a clear understanding of the challenges of novice students when it comes to the content of his writings.

At page 28, as a considerable number of equations are being added to the work, the following note of reassurance has been added at the bottom of the page.

*This section can be skipped at first reading.

I like the approach this author is taking.

[FrankSh]

I am skeptical too, but agree with the charm of a cosmology that preports to do all that . The thing about including incompatible theories is that they can't all be right as they stand. The unifying speculation becomes the crux of the new theory.

Have you downloaded the free version and familiarized yourself with the unifying speculation? I noticed that the full list of requirements for any final theory is the same as the content of your thread in the Theory Characteristics forum.

I read most of it. I am puzzled by the extreme simplicity of the approach. String theory is so complex, and so is quantum gravity. This guy seems to walk through the whole unification theme with extreme ease. I can live with the requirements he posts, but I am astonished that he can deduce the interactions so easily, and even the quark model. It seems to me that he is either right or very near to being right.

[FrankSh]

This "strand model" is really something! It reminds me of what a friend once said: unifying quantum theory and general relativity is not that hard. The really hard part is understanding the interactions! The strnd model ( www.motionmountain.net/research.html ) claims that interctions appear through shape deformations of strands. If I understand this correctly, it is sensationally simple.

This TOE seems to predict that the LHC will not make ANY new discoveries in particle physics. Wow - if that is right, reading a free pdf file is a better investment than the billions used for building the LHC and the tevatron!

[Max™]

I talked to him some about the similarities between our two approaches (he says strand, I say thread, he works bottom up, I work top down).

It is indeed interesting stuff.

[FrankSh]

Where can I read more about your threads?

[Max™]

http://www.toequest.com/forum/your-t...vity-v2-3.html

Still under construction, waiting for results from the LHC, and starting college on Wed.

Going for Bachelor of Arts, Interdisciplinary Studies, K-8 for a teaching degree.