Physics Can a Young Person With No Degree Change Theoretical Physics? What to Do?

[ricky33]

Why if a young person like 21 years old with no degrer made a new discovery in theoretical physics like an equation or a theory will not be accepted by people and no one will believe him ? What he should do before to let people accept his discovery ? Can it be accepted if that person was not famous and didn't won any physics award and and he don't publish physics article etc. ??

 

[Mondayman]

Without a degree, he/she probably does not have a complete knowledge of physics, and has likely made a mistake.

 

[mfb]

Tell his scientist friends. To discover something, you have to know the existing theories and observations. It is impossible to get an overview over them without also getting in contact to scientists.

Anyway, this is a purely hypothetical question. It is something that simply does not happen. It never did, and there is no reason to expect this to change

 

[ricky33]

Without a degree, he/she probably does not have a complete knowledge of physics, and has likely made a mistake.

Without a degree but maybe by studiying till grad in personal courses

 

[mfb]

Those courses teach the basics, mainy things discovered/done decades to centuries ago. They are not the science done today.

 

[ricky33]

Those courses teach the basics, mainy things discovered/done decades to centuries ago. They are not the science done today.

he can study the courses of graduate and those for the phd and from books and many other things he can make a discovery

 

[micromass]

Why are we talking about this? This kind of thing just doesn't happen. It has never happened in modern physics and it will never happen.
Furthermore, you haven't even studied Halliday & Resnick, so why is this so important to you?

 

[micromass]

he can study the courses of graduate and those for the phd and from books and many other things he can make a discovery

There are currently over 1 million articles on arXiv. How will you choose which to read and which not to read? How will you choose which books to read and which not to read? How will you know you're not having any misconceptions? How will you ind a topic that is both accessible and something novel enough?

 

[mfb]

he can study the courses of graduate and those for the phd and from books and many other things he can make a discovery

No he cannot. You don't even know what has been studied and what not without doing actual research, in contact with actual researchers.

 

[fresh_42]

It is very simple. Resources are limited and so is time. Just ask yourself why anybody should decide to spend his time on reading something which might be already known or even wrong with a high probability? Personally, I can't even read everything I'd like to.

 

[ricky33]

There are currently over 1 million articles on arXiv. How will you choose which to read and which not to read? How will you choose which books to read and which not to read? How will you know you're not having any misconceptions? How will you ind a topic that is both accessible and something novel enough?

By searching and getting the curriculum used in one university and study their courses

 

[ricky33]

No he cannot. You don't even know what has been studied and what not without doing actual research, in contact with actual researchers.

He can ask some scientits or search for the curriculim of some universitirs there is a lot my friend have seen courses on MIT for undergrad and graduate

 

[micromass]

By searching and getting the curriculum used in one university and study their courses

OK cool. That will make you understand a lot physics up to 1950 - 1970. What about the modern parts of physics? How do you know whether a certain topic is good to pursue?

 

[ricky33]

OK cool. That will make you understand a lot physics up to 1950 - 1970. What about the modern parts of physics? How do you know whether a certain topic is good to pursue?

MIT courses aren't good ?
And I can get the books used in the curriculum of universities

 

[micromass]

MIT courses aren't good ?
And I can get the books used in the curriculum of universities

You seem to be missing the point. MIT courses and books are excellent. But they only take you so far. They will not bring you to research level. Only research papers and discussions with professionals can do that.

 

[ricky33]

You seem to be missing the point. MIT courses and books are excellent. But they only take you so far. They will not bring you to research level. Only research papers and discussions with professionals can do that.

So you are telling me that those who are studiying for a Phd in MIT are not good enought to make reasearchs and discoveries ?

 

[micromass]

So you are telling me that those who are studiying for a Phd in MIT are not good enought to make reasearchs and discoveries ?

I didn't say that at all??

What I'm saying is that if somebody studies only MIT coursework and textbooks, then he will miss too much background to do research.

 

[fresh_42]

So you are telling me that those who are studiying for a Phd in MIT are not good enought to make reasearchs and discoveries ?

What I'm saying is that if somebody studies only MIT coursework and textbooks, then he will miss too much background to do research.

It might be a good idea to continue this debate until the study of MIT coursework and textbooks will have happened. Might take some years, though. The desire and wish to discuss several topics with other researchers and scientist will come along anyway. (personal opinion)

 

[ricky33]

I didn't say that at all??

What I'm saying is that if somebody studies only MIT coursework and textbooks, then he will miss too much background to do research.

what do you think they should do more than that ?

 

[mfb]

So you are telling me that those who are studiying for a Phd in MIT are not good enought to make reasearchs and discoveries ?

Those studying for a PhD at MIT are in contact with scientists before they even start their own research projects. And when they do, they discuss with scientists which projects would be interesting, and get help from those scientists to get started.

The lectures alone are not sufficient to contribute to science.

 

[micromass]

what do you think they should do more than that ?

Get help/discussions with professional scientists. Ask such people on which research papers to read. Read selected research papers. Find a topic and resources to do research in. Etc.

 

[Locrian]

Why if a young person like 21 years old with no degrer made a new discovery in theoretical physics like an equation or a theory will not be accepted by people and no one will believe him ? What he should do before to let people accept his discovery ? Can it be accepted if that person was not famous and didn't won any physics award and and he don't publish physics article etc. ??

The first thing they should do is make lots of vague, empty posts on internet forums suggesting they've come up with it. This hasn't been done before, it's good use of everyone's time, and it will definitely lead to general acceptance of the new theory. Maybe even fame and fortune, you never know.

Let your friend or whomever the genius is who made these discoveries know! They should start a new thread here. Or two!

 

[Vanadium 50]

Does anyone think that indulging Ricky's fantasies helps him? Or anyone?

 

[StatGuy2000]

Does anyone think that indulging Ricky's fantasies helps him? Or anyone?

I am wondering why we should even bother continuing to respond to the OP on this thread. Recommend that this thread be closed.

 

[mfb]

I agree, I don't think further discussion would help anyone.