Question about the Unified Field Theory

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the implications of the Unified Field Theory, particularly whether it would enable the prediction of future events in the universe and the notion of determinism in physics. The scope includes theoretical considerations and the practical limitations of prediction in complex systems.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if the Unified Field Theory would allow for future predictions, suggesting that it implies a predetermined universe.
  • Another participant agrees in principle but argues that, in practice, predictability is limited even in simple systems due to complexity.
  • A different participant expresses skepticism about the idea that the Unified Field Theory would lead to significant predictive power.
  • One participant elaborates on the challenges of prediction, highlighting the vast memory requirements and numerical robustness issues when attempting to predict future states of a complex system.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the predictability implications of the Unified Field Theory, with no consensus reached on whether it would enable significant future predictions or if the universe is predetermined.

Contextual Notes

The discussion touches on the limitations of predictability in complex systems and the assumptions regarding memory and numerical stability, which remain unresolved.

aznpride2pac
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Hi, I`m a noob at physics, but I have a question. does the Unified Field Theory state that when found, it`ll be able to predict the future? Therefore everything in the universe is predetermined, and so you can't change anything. Is it true?

Thanks
 
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In principle yes. In practice, no, it won't make a significant difference to our ability to predict the future.

Even minimally complex systems obeying plain old Newtons mechanics are, in practice, not predictable.
 
No - it most probably won't. Why would it?
 
like f-h said in principle yes.
given a state of a bounded region of a system. You can predict local movements. Now consider how many objects are in the system, How much memory you would have to store for each object multiplied by the number of objects gives you the total memory you would require to store a state of the system. Multiplied by the # of time slices you want inorder to predict some future time. Thats a good chunk of memory. There's also the issue of numerical robustness.
 

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