Quote:
Originally Posted by bojan
It is a challenge.. but we know how to do it - it is by using mathematics as a tool.. because our mind inevitably and automatically tends to sink into metaphysics when confronted with un-graspable situations, simply because it evolved in that direction - it could have happened somehow else, but the things -as they are now- were still good enough to bring us where we (as a species) are now - at (or near) the top of the food chain (or so it seems..).
On the other hand, it is good that we have a mind capable of abstract thinking.. and mathematics is one way of disciplining that capability.
Unfortunately, not all of us have the capabilities to use that tool properly and/or effectively.
It is hard, and it requires a lot of work.
Personally, I always thought that my own background in math and physics was adequate for most applications .. after all, my education in that area was well above the average level (Mathematical Gymnasia, 5 years of uni specialising in RF electronics and communications)
And yes, all that was and still is quite sufficient for my current profession (RF electronics engineering)... but I always knew this would not be enough to properly grasp the bits and pieces of the current achievements of the theoretical physics .. the gaps exists not only in properly understood mathematical concepts of fields, vector spaces.. and most of other abstract constructions and modern terminology were also missing from my tool set. Also, the skills related to manipulation of equations were also forgotten ('if you don't use it, you loose it"..)
So, in order to be able to even ask a proper questions (not to mention offering my humble opinion on subject to others), I realised I have to go back to the school first (Suskind, of course..)!
After that, maybe.. I will post here more often (BTW, this thread really deserves to be moved from general chat into science section.. moderators?)
A good read on gauges, here:
http://terrytao.wordpress.com/2008/0...at-is-a-gauge/ |
Its good to see an engineer who is prepared to broaden his horizons.
Unfortunately some engineers seem to think the prerequisite knowledge of physics and maths in an engineering degree is good enough to overturn all of theoretical physics.
An example is the electric Sun nonsense by the electrical engineer Don Scott.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD_32D6fHSQ
Regards
Steven