- #1
math_04
- 23
- 0
I just finished reading Niels Bohr's times: In Physics, Philosophy and Polity by Abraham Pais. It is an amazing book on the life of an extraordinary genius. This book really got me thinking into the state of physics in the 21st century. The last great discovery, unless I am mistaken, was the Standard Model of particle physics way back in the 70s. Since then, physics has hardly progressed with more and more strange theories of extra dimensions, string particles etc. popping up.
I have read a lot on the history of physics and this reminds me of the year 1895 when physicists thought that almost all of physics had been explained and only a few small things remained. It seems that the time is ripe for another Einstein or Bohr to revolutionise physics as we know it. String theory, even though I am still a second year college physics student, seems to me to not be 'revolutionary' enough. It builds on previous ideas which of course is important BUT maybe that is not the path. The time may be ripe to seriously question the basic ideas of quantum physics (interpretations since the mathematics and physics are sound and backed up by tonnes of evidence) and maybe modify existing theories.
I keep wondering what would have happened if Einstein never thought of his 'crazy' ideas. The aether theory would have gone on and dominated science and we would have to make lots and lots of modifications to keep that theory alive. The same thing seems to be with string theory with the ideas of extra dimensions, branes and exotic particles.
Anyways I would like to know what you all think about the state of physics right now and whether there has to be a radical change in ideas.
I have read a lot on the history of physics and this reminds me of the year 1895 when physicists thought that almost all of physics had been explained and only a few small things remained. It seems that the time is ripe for another Einstein or Bohr to revolutionise physics as we know it. String theory, even though I am still a second year college physics student, seems to me to not be 'revolutionary' enough. It builds on previous ideas which of course is important BUT maybe that is not the path. The time may be ripe to seriously question the basic ideas of quantum physics (interpretations since the mathematics and physics are sound and backed up by tonnes of evidence) and maybe modify existing theories.
I keep wondering what would have happened if Einstein never thought of his 'crazy' ideas. The aether theory would have gone on and dominated science and we would have to make lots and lots of modifications to keep that theory alive. The same thing seems to be with string theory with the ideas of extra dimensions, branes and exotic particles.
Anyways I would like to know what you all think about the state of physics right now and whether there has to be a radical change in ideas.