Time and the speed of light

[gts055 (Mark)]

I watched E=m.(c)squared on SBS last night, very interesting. I did find it difficult to visualize the fact that time alters for one person relative to another, depending on the speed of travel. A nice interactive graphic at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/einstein/hotsciencetwin/ attempts to help.
What do you think?
Mark

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

I found both part 1 and part 2 excellent value. Especially placing his discoveries within the historical framework of previous physical discoveries. I also enjoyed seeing Einsteins personality put across as that is something that is not often portrayed in specials about him and his work. All up I would give the program an 8-8.5/10 for watchability.

[gts055 (Mark)]

Yes, both parts were excellent. Interesting that Einstein was such a great original thinker, but seemed to have had little consideration for others close to him in his personal life. Touch of sadness at end of last nights program.
Mark

[cahullian]

Most great thinkers have a trace of autism in them. it makes things hard for those who share their lives. Newton was the same.

[avandonk]

Obsession is the word. Einstein was partially correct. So many obsessives are not. Phsycopath comes to mind, when dealing with your fellow man all that matters is what is important to self.

He used both women in his life with ruthless selfishness. The image of an avuncular old man is false. He still contributed much to modern thinking but like all of us is flawed.

Newton like Einstein was a product of his age.Newton dabbled in alchemy till the day he died.

Being the smartest person on the planet does not mean you can treat your fellow (wo)man with contempt.

Bert

[gaa_ian (Ian)]

It was an excellent program ... Einstein was a complex character .... Brilliant mind, but as Bert said "Flawed" like all of us.

[kosh]

If anyone is still interested, here's my two cents on this matter:

I agree Einstein was intelligent or "Smart", but i certainly don't think he
was the "smartest" person on the planet.
He was an aedequate Physicist and Mathematician, but he knew plenty
of people who were better and could help if he was stuck in one of these
areas.

Albert Einsteins' gratest asset was his Imagination! (he said so himself).

Consider: Using existing Physics models, and mathematical equations does not help you formulate that which does not yet exist! If it did, then that which is not yet known, IS already known, just not put into words yet.
That is hard to understand in itself.

What I mean by the above, is that to imagine something (with some previous knowledge of course) and then to use existing methods to prove or disprove something, is the only way to advance. An open Mind.

Education, Degrees PhD's etc are really only proof that you are capable of reading, and retaining memory of something. I am guilty of this myself.
But to be a real genius, you need to look past what's already right in front
of youre face, and open your mind to match the vastness of the Universe,
that's the only way to understand it.

That is what put Albert Einstein a cut above his peers.

If you finished this little rant, thanks for your patience

[Nic]

I wonder what you all have to say about string theory?
Is that genius or madness? Either way I think it's very entertaining.

Nic

[kosh]

Hi Nic,

The answer to your question depends who you talk to.
A couple of decades ago, strings were a stroke of genius. Then later,
madness, now, genius again!

The theory has definate merit, but nothing has been proven beyond
doubt, and so, will remain a promising theory until someone can either
create an experiment which we can practically test, or debunk.
What do I think? It's not impossible by any means, but I have never
seen a cosmic string, nor an effect which can be nothing but a Cosmic string.
Sometimes I think we are just desperate for a really major breakthough,
something I honestly can't say we have seriously had for 100 years.
Kind of sad really.

Someone recently said that we as humans know about 6% of all the scientific
knowledge there is to know. Is he mad? (probably. You can't know this until you actually know it all). That too is quite entertaining.

[Nic]

Hi Kosh,
I had enough fun in year 12 physics learning the implications of relativity, and then I saw a documentary on string theory...I think it was called "The Elegant Universe".
This left my mind spinning, but I still had a smile on my face. I have a hard time imagining where the 11 dimensions fit in to everything, but hey, after all, it's just a guess at the way things work. Whether it's right or wrong, we might even find out in time. But until then it's all good.


All the best,
Nic

[Nic]

Found it! Check out http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/elegant/

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

I think it's terrific when 'scientists' and the 'Intellectuals' get things wrong at first or can't prove them!

It keeps them and/or others striving, and often discovering side events along the way. There have been many spin-offs from original research projects.

If discoveries where made simply or directly, accidental side findings may not take place.

[kosh]

Your mind spinning is the important part!

Let computers compute, it's what they're for, but let people tackle problems
that need reason and creativity to solve.
I must say, it is however interesting that a number of ancient texts, mainly
relating to spritual matters (as opposed to religious), also refer to a number
of dimensions or "planes of existence". Actually, 11 is the usual number and
they were written before string theory was ever published. I'm not saying
anything other than strange coincidence.

Accidental discoveries are a great bonus agreed, but I don't know of any
administrators of research grants who believe mistakes are terrific.

[Nic]

Originally Posted by kosh

Actually, 11 is the usual number and
they were written before string theory was ever published.

Interesting....