quantum whatever
Over the last few weeks there has been a
surfeit of television programmes on TV analysing how the universe began, how we
exist within it and how it will eventually end.
Fascinating.
Except for one small thing. I don’t understand a single word being spoken
by the theoretical physicists who appear in these documentaries. I can’t grasp the events they are trying to
relay or in any way comprehend what the blazes is going on. I can’t be alone in this, surely?
One thing I do understand though is that
whenever physicists are going on about something they don’t understand it
always has a sinister name like dark matter, black holes or dark energy. It’s not because these things are in fact
dark (or black) but because they are unknown.
It should just be called the dark universe and be done with it if you
ask me.
One thing I do like though is the beautiful
equations on view. I say beautiful
because they really are works of art. I’d happily hang one on my wall along with the other pictures I’ve got who’s meaning I don’t
understand. They all stick to the same
pattern though if you’ve noticed:
1
a
complex mathematical formula
2
a
picture of a planet with an elliptical orbit around its sun
3
more
maths
4
perhaps
a graph, no definitely a graph plotting something against time usually
5
even
more maths
6
a
fiery diagram of an imploding sun perhaps
7
the
last bit of maths.
Oh yeah.
There’s never an equals sign strangely.
Now, I’ve got an A’level in pure mathematics
and these things mean nothing to me.
And, I suspect, mean nothing to the people who wrote them or indeed to those
who over- enthusiastically mull over them with their bad hair and strange
jumpers.
It’s all a load of bunkum. Quantum bunkum yes. But bunkum.
Oh. And
don’t call me Shirley.
I watched a show that put forth the question "Is Math 'invented' or 'real'?" I watched the whole hour and they still never answered the question! I only understood about half of it.....but I still think math is totally made up to make the physicists look smarter than us!
ReplyDeleteI too have a pure maths A Level, which I only remembered yesterday, when I was listening to a programme on the radio about the smallest particles yet discovered. As my brain struggled to absorb the information (tired brain - it was very early in the morning), I felt like I was digging through a very (very) old box of treasures and finding things I'd totally forgotten I had. A sudden memory of a physics lesson, a 'tada' moment of understanding. Then I reached my destination (I was in my car). And now, a day later? Can't remember a thing! Sigh.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that everything to do with the obscure side of physics, be it the astro, nuclear or quantum variant, is carried out by researchers in research labs, i.e. they are looking for an outcome to a very vague question and really haven't got a clue to the definitive answer. Either there are a lot of very highly qualified, highly paid researchers out there doing a great job or we are surrounded by some very clever bluffers?????
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