The Unification of Physics: The Quest for a Theory of Everything

The holy grail of physics has been to merge each of its fundamental branches into a unified “theory of everything” that would explain the functioning and existence of the universe. The last step toward this goal is to reconcile general relativity with the principles of quantum mechanics, a quest that has thus far eluded physicists. Will physics ever be able to develop an all-encompassing theory, or should we simply acknowledge that science will always have inherent limitations as to what can be known? Should new theories be validated solely on the basis of calculations that can never be empirically tested? Can we ever truly grasp the implications of modern physics when the basic laws of nature do not always operate according to our standard paradigms?

Featuring physicists Katherine Freese, Marcelo Gleiser, and Max Tegmark. Hosted by Steve Paulson.

December 10, 2014
The New York Academy of Sciences

[swarsur]

So well said Max:

It is better to have questions that you can't answer than to have answers that you can't question.

[geoffreyah]

I completely agree. A theory of everything for physicists is always limited to the physical forces energy and matter. Therefore it cannot answer the metaphysical question because they don't consider anything which does not show any physical effects to be real. There can be a science of meaning, symbol and ideas. A science is not limited to the physical; It can be a system and organized body of knowledge and principles built of non material meanings like morality, evolution of consciousness, values, religion, philosophy, myth etc.

[gerrynightingale]

"All of the energy and matter that existed still exists. Matter does not create energy of itself. The actions of matter enable energy to become manifest".

[WenzelMartini]

Scale Relativity and Fractal Space-Time:
Applications to Quantum Physics,
Cosmology and Chaotic Systems
by L. NOTTALE

[richmeister]

You understand a language I need to learn, thank you Enlong Chiou. I will investigate further.

[MrKorrazonCold]

Everything is formed by a surrounding 4pi Spherical inward absorption +1=0 now -1 outward emission of electromagnetic waves.. .   .All motion is 2pi Spiral.. .  .
And all 3D directions are 4pi Spherically curved.. .  .Velocity equals time density +1=0 now -1 density of space-time.. .  V=td +1=0 now -1 ds-t.. .  .
Time is inverse multiplying +1=0 now -1 dividing like frequency and wavelength.. .  .
Energy compression = mass now. de-compressing constant C2.. .  .
Now space is a division of solidity into entropy as time unfolds C2 the second law of thermodynamics.. .  .But also in the future E2 will equal a multiplication of Volume +1=0 now at the expense of gravitational potential -1.. .  .E2=M2 C4+P2 C2.. .  .

[michaeldavidmoreno]

Well.. i would like to state that i did figure out a correct atomic model that does include photon energy and defines electrons from the start by using the principle of polarity: all things have polarity; all things have their opposite and their extremes meet. It is now literally the Theory of Everything as is DOES answer what electrons and photon energy is. it answers everything else we ignored with labels: gravity, the sun, magnets, radiation, Youtube response videos: the Kybalion & Physics.

[enlongchiou]

fuse h, c together get HC=ER, ((hg/c^3)(hc/g))=10^-(35+7) for length, mass of plank, 10^-(27+15) for proton, 10^-(30+10+2) for Bohr atom (2 for fine structure constant) all have 10^-42, make 10^84 proton in universe in gravity field balance one proton which hold by strong force which 10^42 stronger than gravity, if hold HC constant in every energy shell in atom, then get 2n^2 formula, because 2*(1/2)=4*(1/4)=9*(1/9)=HC, only change space structure between shell. everything is connect by HC.

[modvs]

Sometimes the capacity for representation is used not so much as an aid to task pertinent cognition, but as a means to social interaction- otherwise known as social coordination masquerading as reality tracking.

[karlpages]

GENETICS - the beneficial techniques of the lesser groups must be
adapted by the greater portion, for success of humans.

You are automated by this code and will never stop being the universal
extension of its development - in the realm of the "human magnitude".

What groups and interactions can we measure. Can we communicate a
social rationality?

1. As a species population increases, the possible number of capable
interactions increases.
So, as elite group dominate resources -via mental and physical force;
including Money, propaganda and weaponry(arms)- THE, EVER INCREASING,
MINORITIES MUST CONTINUOUSLY ADAPT WITH SHARING AND SUPPORTING
TECHNIQUES USING AN IMPROVED MEMORY AND TRUST SYsTEM; SO AS TO MAINTAIN
COOPERATION FOR LONGER TIMEFRAMES.

2. tHE "ELITE MINORITY" INEVITABLY SENSE THIS AND TIGHTEN CONTROLS. An
attempt to lessen the success of its competitors.

( So, will the "subordinate minorities( subordinate majority)"
always be needed to develop and work out solutions?)

Reasons for and administering crackdown may include but not limited to:
- We are working in your interests, seemingly, because we are attacking
powers ( other manipulators)
reasonably subordinate to ourselves.
- Adding noise to the information gathering. An example is using the
power of mass media. By repeating, seemingly insignificant, words in
such a way as too make more out of some minor scientific sub category of
skin colour. People have attempted this with the word "Race" using
mass pop psychology. Quite successfully in America and UK...
Growing popularism in Australia.

3. Current adaptions needed for the sustainability:
- Overcome the fear of failure and the lack of confidence in the
techniques that we have used many times before to overcome similar
problems. Innovation !....No more relying on massacring distant
relatives for resources.

- Why have each one of us not made ourselves and our neighbour self
sufficient in energy.

1. Who will now calculate the energy per household needed.
2. Who will design lighting and cooking systems to be costed?
3. The same with production and distribution of water systems for
cleaning and food assembling...
4. Sewage treatment and medicine, even if people were not driving and
maintaining roads.

4. Reason not to worry: As we work together to solve each minor problem
, 1by1. We are taking control of our own lives and consider this...
As Technology performs all the trivial tasks. there is going to be
more health and education and less reasons for the individuals or
the corporations to commit crime. BANKS WILL ONE DAY BE A PRIMITIVE
CONCEPT OF THE PAST...

[CDH]

Ni una vez mencionada la palabra fragmentacion... :(

[baharmarzban]

srsly!! I am a physist, there arguments were contradictory...Physics explains how, puts theories on experiences, it has never been able to answer why?! and the lady knows everything apparently, why do you die? stop death, yes we know what happens in the process of dying (we assume we do), but why do we die. Why does gravity or electricity do what it does, we know what these forces do, but why do they do what they do? Why does an electron like a Proton? why doesn't it like itself? And do you think there are a certain amount of questions in the universe, for you to answer, so once you answered you can live happily? Or is opening one box of questions leed to 100 more? These people are so lost in there arrogance. I will stay respectful to Socrates that said: ""I know that I know nothing", "The only thing I know, is that I know nothing" or "I know one thing; that I know nothing". Lets see how many ppl remember your names in 1000 years.
Jesus ppl get a grip!

[brankozivlak]

If they only understood some of the philosophers of nature, a few centuries before, thay would know a lot more about this topic.

[ufotofu]

So I have studied physics, but I have never once heard a decent explanation of why a) Gravity and the other three forces have not been unified and b) why Gravity requires a quantum explanation. Why can't Gravity just be though of as a tendency, like falling. Falling doesn't require Field equations and such.

I like Max Tegmark, but he gets a bit too Woo Woo with the consciousness stuff.

[sywaddr]

Big bang can not explain infinity relation with finite condition, why you keep saying big bang?

[martin]

0.Non-eternalUniverse / Eternal Universe
1.Nothing, Creatio ex Nihlo / Infinite Multiverse
2.Singularity/ Non-singularity
3.Big Bang / Big Bangs / Big Bounce / Cold Whimper
4.Inflationary / Non-inflationary
5.Expanding / Expanding-Contracting
6.Cosmological Principle / No Cosmological Principle
7.Perfect Cosmological Principle / No Perfect Cosmological Principle
8.Rotating / Non-rotating / Counter Rotating
9.Fractual / Non-fractual
10.Dark Matter  / M.O.N.D. Modified Newtonian Dynamics
11.Dark Energy / Cosmic Void Theory
12.Constant C / Variable C
13.Four Dimensional / Hyperdimensional
14.Black Holes / Black Stars / Dark Energy Stars / Eternally Collapsing Objects / Gravastars
15.Cosmic Strings / No Cosmic Strings
16.Mach’s Principle / No Mach’s Principle
17.Space-Time Wormholes / Holeless
18.Open / Flat / Closed

[sherlockholmeslives.]

I wish Max Tegmark would use the right word!!! He doesn't mean 'Schizophrenic' early on in this discussion, he means 'Split Minded' or 'Split Idea'. Max Tegmark being such a smart arse should know that he is one of the millions of people adding to the misunderstanding of what 'Schizophrenic' means!!!

[robertocabanas]

Many other beings on earth are selfaware, and capable of complex thinking, probably different from our thinking.
When someone say "it's all about us", I imagine it's all about me, in the same way a dolphin might be feeling "it's all happening to me" and all there is, is what he sees and feels. 
I mean, it might be all about consciousness, regardless the source of it.

[ramtha]

Why so much worry about where it started? where are you now?

[FranckBarfety]

"Science is based on a framework, but where did the framework come from?" Marcelo Gleiser.