How Can Non-Scientists Explore Ideas About Time and Dark Matter?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the challenges faced by non-scientists who wish to explore ideas related to time and dark matter. Participants share their thoughts on how to begin researching these topics, the feasibility of developing original ideas without a STEM background, and the potential for engaging with academic professionals.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a desire to write a popular science article on time and dark matter but feels unqualified without a STEM degree.
  • Another participant suggests that the likelihood of producing valid original work without prior experience is very low, emphasizing the need for extensive study of existing theories.
  • Some participants argue that even if the chances are low, it is still worth pursuing the idea with significant effort and research.
  • A participant advises that understanding established concepts in physics, including relativity and cosmology, is essential before proposing new theories.
  • Concerns are raised about the openness of university professors to unsolicited inquiries from non-students, with mixed experiences shared regarding their willingness to engage.
  • One participant draws an analogy comparing the pursuit of a new theory in dark matter to unrealistic claims in unrelated fields, suggesting that expertise is crucial before challenging established knowledge.
  • Another participant notes that even expert theories can take a long time to gain acceptance, referencing historical examples like continental drift.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the importance of foundational knowledge in physics before attempting to propose new ideas. However, there is disagreement regarding the feasibility of non-scientists contributing original work and the openness of academics to engage with them.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the need for substantial background knowledge and research, indicating that many ideas may conflict with established theories. The discussion reflects varying levels of skepticism about the potential for non-experts to contribute meaningfully to complex scientific topics.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for non-scientists interested in exploring complex scientific concepts, particularly those related to time and dark matter, as well as for individuals considering engaging with academic professionals in STEM fields.

In-Finite
If I have an idea I'd like to pursue but I don't have a STEM degree, where do I begin? It's an idea about time and dark matter.

I've been thinking about writing it out as a popular science article but I'd rather get a little bit of data behind it first so I don't look like such an armchair expert.

Are university professors open to non-students approaching them about this kind of thing? My gut says that's not the case.
 
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In-Finite said:
If I have an idea I'd like to pursue but I don't have a STEM degree, where do I begin? It's an idea about time and dark matter.

I've been thinking about writing it out as a popular science article but I'd rather get a little bit of data behind it first so I don't look like such an armchair expert.

Are university professors open to non-students approaching them about this kind of thing? My gut says that's not the case.
The chances that in 2020 without any experience in the field you will produce original work that has some validity is close to zero.

In any case, the first thing you'd have to do is learn the subject to see whether your ideas make any sense. Have you studied academic papers on galaxy dynamics to know what the current theories on dark matter are?
 
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I appreciate the vote of confidence but close to zero is not zero and my idea doesn't seem to have any current proponents so I think I'll still put in a little leg work to see.
 
In-Finite said:
I appreciate the vote of confidence but close to zero is not zero and my idea doesn't seem to have any current proponents so I think I'll still put in a little leg work to see.
That should be a "lot of leg work". Like 10 years full-time leg work! :wink:
 
In-Finite said:
I appreciate the vote of confidence but close to zero is not zero and my idea doesn't seem to have any current proponents so I think I'll still put in a little leg work to see.
Close to zero was the polite version of impossible.
 
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In-Finite said:
If I have an idea I'd like to pursue but I don't have a STEM degree, where do I begin? It's an idea about time and dark matter.
You begin by learning about what we already do know about these subjects. It's important for you to do so with an open mind. You can't reject ideas and data simply because they conflict with your pet theory. Indeed, if your idea conflicts with what is already well established, as is likely the case, you need to go back to the drawing board.

Are university professors open to non-students approaching them about this kind of thing? My gut says that's not the case.
No, they're not. You're not the only one who has an idea, and probably not the only one who thought of your particular idea. And the vast majority of these ideas are easily shown to be wrong. Professors simply don't have the time to explain to each person why their idea is wrong, especially since many of these people won't listen anyway.
 
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In-Finite said:
It's an idea about time and dark matter.
One would have to read up on physics (including special and general relativity), and focus on astrophysics and cosmology (with additional focus on dark energy and dark matter), to ensure one correctly understand the concepts one is attempting to use regarding one's personal theory.
 
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In-Finite said:
If I have an idea I'd like to pursue but I don't have a STEM degree, where do I begin? It's an idea about time and dark matter.

I've been thinking about writing it out as a popular science article but I'd rather get a little bit of data behind it first so I don't look like such an armchair expert.

Are university professors open to non-students approaching them about this kind of thing? My gut says that's not the case.
Welcome to PhysicsForums. :smile:

Here is an Insights article that may be of help:

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

Also, if you have any community colleges near you, you could consider taking some intro calculus and physics classes -- that would be a good step toward being able to understand the issues involved in your ideas. Best of luck.
 
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In-Finite said:
I appreciate the vote of confidence but close to zero is not zero...
Hmm... The odds of winning the lottery are close to zero. Is it worth putting ten thousand hours into an effort that has those odds?

How about if your effort has a million times worse odds of succeeding than winning the lottery? (which is more realistic).
...and my idea doesn't seem to have any current proponents so I think I'll still put in a little leg work to see.
Really? What textbooks and journals have you read? The fact that you didn't respond to @PeroK's suggestion of the first thing you should do makes me suspicious that you haven't done it.
 
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In-Finite said:
Are university professors open to non-students approaching them about this kind of thing? My gut says that's not the case.

It depends on them, really, and what you are asking. I have about a 10% success rate with unsolicited emails with a specific question on their area of expertise.

Note that I'm not flagging an idea beyond the current understanding or pet theory, my inquiries are mostly energy / climate change related and often refer to one of their published papers.
 
  • #11
In-Finite said:
so I don't look like such an armchair expert.

The good news is you don't. The bad news is that you're not any kind of expert, armchair or otherwise. If you said, "I have a great new idea for surgery, let me at a couple patients with a set of steak knives", what do you think the reaction would be?

Before telling the experts that they have it all wrong or at least missed something, don't you think it behooves you to learn exactly what the experts know?
 
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  • #12
Vanadium 50 said:
"I have a great new idea for surgery, let me at a couple patients with a set of steak knives"
I had another aphorism in mind. "I will lead the Patriots to the Superbowl next season as their new QB." If I'd say something like this I would earn loud laughter and would be called out a troll. And everybody would agree, nobody would defend me. Now here is my conclusion: that would actually be easier to achieve than to find a robust theory of DM.
 
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  • #13
fresh_42 said:
If I'd say something like this I would earn loud laughter and would be called out a troll.

Not as loud as if you said the Bengals. :cool:
 
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  • #14
Even theories from fully qualified experts can take decades to reach acceptance. By the time continental drift was accepted the actual continents had detectably moved.
 
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