How do people explore new ideas in physics?

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The physics community is perceived as having significant barriers to entry, particularly for those without formal education in the field, making it difficult for outsiders to share new ideas. Unlike software development, where open-source contributions can gain traction quickly, physics often requires peer-reviewed validation, leading to frustration for individuals trying to present their work. The discussion highlights that many innovative contributions in physics have historically come from self-taught individuals, yet the current environment tends to dismiss non-experts. There is a call for more open communities within physics that would allow for the exploration of new ideas without the immediate stigma of being labeled a "crackpot." Ultimately, the challenge remains in balancing the need for rigorous standards with the potential loss of valuable insights from outside the established academic framework.
  • #51
I think software engineers can make useful contributions. Physicists aren’t programmers (at least, not by training), and a lot of Physics code is not well designed. There are lots of open source projects that I’m sure would appreciate high quality contributions.
 
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  • #52
Haborix said:
I think OP could have a more productive discussion by posting in the relativity subforum using the homework template. It really sounds like OP has manipulated some GR equations for a Schwarzschild black hole and then solved them numerically. The claim doesn't seem to be that the algorithm for the numerical solution is faster but just that the PDE starting point is somehow advantageous.
The algorithm does actually show real world 10x-19x improvements. I have a github repo with the full code example and tests and have issued a DOI for it, but if I share it on here again i'll probably get banned.
 
  • #53
adam_snyder said:
I have a github repo with the full code example and tests and have issued a DOI for it
Then anyone who wants to look at it can ask you for a link via PM. You're correct that it is off topic for this thread and for any public thread here at PF.

And with that, this thread is closed.
 
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