What Is Galilean Electrodynamics and Its Controversies?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of Galilean Electrodynamics, its origins, and the controversies surrounding it. Participants explore its relationship to Einstein's Relativity, its classification as pseudo science, and the implications of its theoretical framework.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about Galilean Electrodynamics and its association with Petr Beckman, noting a lack of information and the deletion of its Wikipedia article.
  • Another participant asserts that Galilean Electrodynamics is considered pseudo science, but does not elaborate on the reasons.
  • A participant questions the rationale behind classifying it as pseudo science, seeking further explanation.
  • One contributor suggests that the forum may not benefit from an in-depth discussion of what they term "crackpottery" related to Galilean Electrodynamics.
  • A different participant clarifies that "Galilean Electrodynamics" is the title of a journal and distinguishes it from a Galilean-invariant formulation of Electrodynamics, which has pedagogical and theoretical interest despite not describing the real world.
  • Another participant expresses curiosity about how a theory of electrodynamics could be considered racist.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the classification of Galilean Electrodynamics, with some asserting it is pseudo science while others seek clarification on this viewpoint. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications and interpretations of the theory.

Contextual Notes

There are references to specific academic works related to Galilean Electrodynamics, but the discussion does not resolve the validity or implications of these references. The conversation also touches on sensitive topics such as racism without providing a clear framework for understanding these claims.

Zarlucicil
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Galilean Electrodynamics?!?

I finished reading The History of Pi by Petr Beckman, thoroughly enjoyed it and wondered what other works/activities the author was involved with. Soo I eventually came across this thing called "Galilean Electrodynamics" (which Beckman apparently had a hand in starting) and was completely confused as I couldn't really find any real information on it. I know that the subscribers to Galilean Electrodynamics challenge Einstein's Relativity but what else encompasses this subject?!?

The wikipedia article was deleted some time ago and I've seen claims that the theory (if that is what Galilean Electrodynamics is) is somehow racist and completely crass. Is it some kind of pseudo science? Any information would be interesting...Thanks!

-Zarlucicil-
 
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Zarlucicil said:
Is it some kind of pseudo science?

Yes.
 


Hehe, thanks! But WHY is it considered to be a pseudo science?
 


I don't think the forum would be well served by a detailed discussion of the ins and outs of one particular piece of crackpottery.
 


I just want to point out that the above "Galilean Electrodynamics (Beckman)" is the title of a journal.

This, however, should be distinguished from
a Galilean-invariant formulation of Electrodynamics (i.e. what electrodynamics might have looked like if the world were Galilean invariant [rather than Lorentz-invariant]). While such a formulation doesn't describe the real world, it has pedagogical interest (for the teaching physics) and theoretical interest (for the structure of relativistic theories):
e.g.,
Le Bellac & Levy-Leblond (Nuovo Cimento A, 14 , 217-233 (1973) ) "Galilean Electromagnetism",
Jammer & Stachel (AJP, 1980) "If Maxwell had worked between Ampère and Faraday: An historical fable with a pedagogical moral" http://dx.doi.org/10.1119/1.12239,
de Montigny & Rousseaux (AJP, 2007) "On some applications of Galilean electrodynamics of moving bodies" http://dx.doi.org/10.1119/1.2772289
(I have an active research interest in this... in particular, with regard to "classical limits")
None of what is in this paragraph should be confused with the journal referred to in the first post of this thread.
 
Last edited:


I would be very interested to know how a theory of electrodynamics could possibly be racist.
 
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