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Philip b
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[Mentor's note - the posts in this thread have been split out from the thread https://www.physicsforums.com/threa...ctromagnetism-in-simple-laymans-terms.807607/ so that we can answer the original poster's question in that thread]
Seriously, can we wait until physicists actually understand and agree on a bit more to declare that there is "no way" for a "layperson" to understand the pieces of physics? Don't give me the "it's impossible" argument because we all know that one does not often hold up for very long. If the recent breakthroughs in quantum physics have reminded us of anything, it's just that
Quote: I agree that it seems that way, and I sympathize, but don't be fooled: that is a path ensnared with pitfall and djinn. You can get a hand-wavey pop-sci type of description that may begood enough for entertainment purposes but there are already lots of those so why not just use one of the others?
Sounds a bit too "hand wavey"
a belief exists that true understanding of anything is only obtainable through restraint or dissolution of ego which leaves more room for appreciation of beauty. No need to ask "why" when complete picture is seen. Many instances where complex systems interact and result in a something like a simple, beautiful shape we are already familiar with.
Linguistics, for example, may prove to be a historically neglected gateway to new insights into physics. Mathematics can be communicated using many different systems and I believe that the most efficient have yet to be discovered.
Having said that, I, on behalf of the scientifically interested members of the human race, if I may, commend the suggestion of Feynman's descriptions. Pretty spot on from what I and almost all of my trusted sources have gathered.
Mathematics, by nature, relies on encoding reality. Gauss is also the said by some to be father of cryptography. :) Imagine if we had to spell out the quantity C's real name every time we wrote it. Hundreds of extra years needed. I also totally agree that effort or at least attention and time is a prerequisite for understanding.
Seriously, can we wait until physicists actually understand and agree on a bit more to declare that there is "no way" for a "layperson" to understand the pieces of physics? Don't give me the "it's impossible" argument because we all know that one does not often hold up for very long. If the recent breakthroughs in quantum physics have reminded us of anything, it's just that
Quote: I agree that it seems that way, and I sympathize, but don't be fooled: that is a path ensnared with pitfall and djinn. You can get a hand-wavey pop-sci type of description that may begood enough for entertainment purposes but there are already lots of those so why not just use one of the others?
Sounds a bit too "hand wavey"
a belief exists that true understanding of anything is only obtainable through restraint or dissolution of ego which leaves more room for appreciation of beauty. No need to ask "why" when complete picture is seen. Many instances where complex systems interact and result in a something like a simple, beautiful shape we are already familiar with.
Linguistics, for example, may prove to be a historically neglected gateway to new insights into physics. Mathematics can be communicated using many different systems and I believe that the most efficient have yet to be discovered.
Having said that, I, on behalf of the scientifically interested members of the human race, if I may, commend the suggestion of Feynman's descriptions. Pretty spot on from what I and almost all of my trusted sources have gathered.
Mathematics, by nature, relies on encoding reality. Gauss is also the said by some to be father of cryptography. :) Imagine if we had to spell out the quantity C's real name every time we wrote it. Hundreds of extra years needed. I also totally agree that effort or at least attention and time is a prerequisite for understanding.
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