Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the book "Neoclassical Theory of Electromagnetic Interactions" by Babin & Figotin, exploring its validity and relevance in the context of electromagnetic theory. Participants express varying opinions on the authors' qualifications, the book's content, and its potential as a resource for learning electromagnetism.
Discussion Character
- Debate/contested
- Technical explanation
- Conceptual clarification
Main Points Raised
- One participant finds the book appealing and questions its value as an investment amidst many theories in modern physics.
- Another participant advises against purchasing the book for learning electromagnetism, citing the authors' lack of physics credentials and the claim of presenting a "new theory."
- A participant with a background in mathematics expresses interest in the book despite acknowledging their existing knowledge of electromagnetism, seeking opinions from those who have studied it.
- One reply challenges the notion that physics books by mathematicians are inherently inferior, providing historical examples of successful works by mathematicians in theoretical physics.
- Another participant criticizes the authors' understanding of fundamental concepts, specifically mentioning the "Lorenz gauge," and dismisses the book as lacking quality.
- A participant shares a link to a presentation by the authors, suggesting it may provide additional insights into their work.
- Another participant recommends alternative advanced texts on electromagnetism, mentioning specific titles and their perceived strengths.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express differing opinions on the book's merit, with some defending the potential contributions of mathematicians to physics while others strongly criticize the authors and the book's content. No consensus is reached regarding the book's value or the authors' qualifications.
Contextual Notes
Participants highlight the importance of authors' backgrounds in evaluating the quality of physics literature, indicating a potential bias against works by non-physicists. The discussion also reflects varying standards for what constitutes a valuable resource in the field of electromagnetism.