Aspiring Physicist and their unrealistic expectations

[Admiralibr123]

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Assalam-u-Alaikum (Hi), I am a 3rd semester physics major in a developing country. I know all about the big dreams and fascinating tales of discovery and intuition a theory like Special and General Relativity brings and attracts some little guy from somewhere to actually try to revolutionize physics.

What they don't yet understand is any inconsistency they find in these theories; thinking that they proved Einstein wrong, is just a manifestation of their insufficient knowledge and mathematical ability. Every new breakthrough idea they could possibly make is most likely thought of and tried decades ago. They need to realize that people smarter, more knowledgeable and more scientifically patient have plodded through these theories and developed new ones with no avail.

I think we owe it to ourselves to give them a reality check and give them the perspective so that the learn some humility while claiming some genius idea of theirs. I am not at all discrediting the possibility of an actual genius. Just highlighting the improbability of it. If after it all, they still want to pursue a career in theoretical physics. Then they will be making an actually brilliant decision. A heads up of what's to come and what's possible is our duty.

 

[berkeman]

Welcome to the PF. It sounds like you will fit in well here. We discuss mainstream science as published in the peer-reviewed literature and standard textbooks. We often get new users who want to tell us about their new theory, and we have to remind them of the PF rules that do not allow such discussions.

We try to be gentle when informing them of that, so it is indeed a "reality check" but a gentle one.

Enjoy the PF!

BTW, here is an Insights article that you will probably appreciate:

https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/wont-look-new-theory/

 

[Admiralibr123]

JazakAllah Khairan(Thank You). The article addresses my concern quite logically.