Weinberg on condensed matter matters
[Via Asymptotia]
Most of us do elementary-particle physics neither because of the intrinsic interestingness of the phenomena that we study, nor because of the practical importance of what we learn, but because we are pursuing a reductionist vision. All of the properties of ordinary matter are what they are because of the principles of atomic and nuclear physics, which are what they are because of the rules of the Standard Model of elementary particles, which are what they are because…well, we don’t know, this is the reductionist frontier, which we are currently exploring.
Weinberg, From BCS to the LHC
January 23, 2009 at 10:14 am
Hi Christine,
“All of the properties of ordinary matter are what they are because of the principles of atomic and nuclear physics, which are what they are because of the rules of the Standard Model of elementary particles, which are what they are because…well, we don’t know, this is the reductionist frontier, which we are currently exploring.”
An interesting and of course true statement offered by Weinberg as it relates to reductionism. What I would add to this being the thing that holds so much of the focus and attention for many, is to wonder if what then lays below the standard model mandates only our world. or serves as merely the base of many possible ones. My feeling about theory is that when we look at it the other way, if what’s t offered doesn’t dictate what’s above, its not been reduced. Presently as far as I can tell none of the current approaches seem to qualify in this respect, except perhaps for super symmetry. So we are faced with one of only two conclusions, being the theories are wrong or reductionism is a false premise. I couldn’t tell you which one is right, yet my gut tells me it’s the former and not the later. You might ask why? In reply I would ask when an assumption that’s worked so well for so long, why only now would it suddenly fail? I think many are frustrated to find that within the Russian doll there lays another and wish to have reason to stop rather then soldier on. One thing for certain, if in furure when asked “why” that the best that can be offer is “because” will be even more frustrating for me, for even religion can give us such answers. I prefer in response it be admitted we don’t know, yet we continue the struggle to understand.
Best,
Phil