© Copyright 2017 by Bruce Steadman
I have the highest respect for theoretical physicists. I think some of their most interesting and important work in recent years has been on 'String Theory', which has often been referred to as a 'Theory of Everything'.
Consider the brief explanation of 'String Theory' given in the following excerpt:
String Theory: A Brief Overview
by Nola Taylor Redd, SPACE.com Contributor
September 13, 2012
Link Reference: http://www.space.com/17594-string-theory.html
Excerpt:
General relativity and quantum mechanics take different approaches at looking at how the universe works. Many physicists feel that there must be a method that unites the two. One contender for such a universal theory is superstring theory, or string theory, for short. Let's take a brief overview of this complex perspective.
One string, no particles
Children in elementary school learn about the existence of protons, neutrons, and electrons, basic subatomic particles that create all matter as we know it. Scientists have studied how these particles move and interact with one another, but the process has raised a number of conflicts.
According to string theory, these subatomic particles do not exist. Instead, tiny pieces of vibrating string too small to be observed by today's instruments replace them. Each string may be closed in a loop, or open. Vibrations from the string correspond with each of the particles and determine the particles' size and mass.
How do strings replace point-like particles? On a subatomic level, there is a relationship between the frequency at which something vibrates and its energy. At the same time, as Einstein's famous equation E=mc2 tells us, there is a relationship between energy and mass. Therefore, a relationship exists between an object's vibrational frequency and its mass. Such a relationship is central to string theory.
Limiting the dimensions of the universe
Einstein's theory of relativity opened up the universe to a multitude of dimensions, because there was no limit on how it functioned. Relativity worked just as well in four dimensions as in forty. But string theory only works in ten or eleven dimensions. If scientists can find evidence supporting string theory, they will have limited the number of dimensions that could exist within the universe.
We only experience four dimensions. Where, then are the missing dimensions predicted by string theory? Scientists have theorized that they are curled up into a compact space. If the space is tiny, on the scale of the strings (on the order of 10-33 centimeters), then we would be unable to detect them.
On the other hand, the extra dimensions could conceivably be too large for us to measure; our four dimensions could be curled up exceedingly small inside of these larger dimensions.
...............................................
For those interested in learning more details, Wikipedia has posted a comprehensive article on 'StringTheory' at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/String_theory
Did you see that statement in Nola Talylor Redd's above linked article that String Theory, " ... only works in ten or eleven dimensions"?
My eyes start to glaze over whenever I try to think about our universe having more than 3 dimensions, or perhaps 4 if one includes 'time' as the 4th dimension. Therefore, I know it is exceedingly unlikely I will personally ever be able to put 'String Theory' to any practical use in my daily life.
Nevertheless, I do greatly appreciate the important work the physicists are doing in the field and look forward to learning of future developments.
Hopefully, in time, the major tenets of 'String Theory' or some viable replacement 'Theory of Everything' can be accepted as fact by the scientific community.
I suspect that a great many people share my interest in 'String Theory' and also my mental deficiency regarding any useful understanding of its mathematical complexities.
- which brings me to the purpose of this post!
In a quest somewhat similar (LOL) to the theoretical physicist's search for a 'Theory of Everything', I have long been searching for a broad, simple principle that might help ordinary folks better understand some of the complexities of life and to enhance their chances of success and happiness.
I believe I have found one such elusive principle and have assigned it the acronym 'RIDDLE'. It applies to many of life's important activities.
RIDDLE
Dictionary Definition: "A difficult problem or enigmatic saying. A mystery."
Re-Investment of Dividends Drives Life's Enhancements
The riddle or mystery I will attempt to explain in the following dissertation is how, by investing or giving something, one often ends up getting something back, often multiplied or enhanced many times!
The RIDDLE principle emphatically states that in order to be successful and happy in life one must always reinvest appropriate 'dividends' back into the process. Sometimes, a reinvested dividend might involve a significant sum of money, such as that paid quarterly by a large company to a stockholder. Sometimes, it might be a single dollar bill dropped by an individual into the guitar case of a street musician that has provided enjoyment for those passing by.
Sometimes it might even be just a loving hug or a word of praise for a child who has recently completed a useful task. Recycling 'dividends' not only enhances your own life but it also enhances the lives of everyone around you. The beneficial results from the 'compound interest' on all these reinvested dividends can be truly amazing! The compounding miracle is further magnified when many of those individuals with whom you interact assimilate the idea and start reinvesting their own dividends!
The concept presented in the following chapters seems obvious at first but its simplicity is deceptive. Here in the early 21st century many people seem to believe that their earned 'wealth' in many areas should only flow toward themselves or sometimes even that they are entitled to 'something for nothing', I believe it is important to remember that we must constantly seek to 'give back' a fair portion of all things whenever possible.
This is just a common sense treatise on philosophy for ordinary people. Young adults are my primary intended audience but anyone with an open mind is welcome to listen in and participate, if desired. No profound subjects are discussed and I present just another confirmation of that old truism "there ain't no free lunch", although a lot of people still think such a thing exists.
Continued in the following reply
RIDDLE
A Useful, No-Strings-Attached ‘Theory of Everything’ for Those of Us Who Aren't Quite Smart Enough to be Theoretical Physicists
PREFACE
A Useful, No-Strings-Attached ‘Theory of Everything’ for Those of Us Who Aren't Quite Smart Enough to be Theoretical Physicists
PREFACE
I have the highest respect for theoretical physicists. I think some of their most interesting and important work in recent years has been on 'String Theory', which has often been referred to as a 'Theory of Everything'.
Consider the brief explanation of 'String Theory' given in the following excerpt:
String Theory: A Brief Overview
by Nola Taylor Redd, SPACE.com Contributor
September 13, 2012
Link Reference: http://www.space.com/17594-string-theory.html
Excerpt:
General relativity and quantum mechanics take different approaches at looking at how the universe works. Many physicists feel that there must be a method that unites the two. One contender for such a universal theory is superstring theory, or string theory, for short. Let's take a brief overview of this complex perspective.
One string, no particles
Children in elementary school learn about the existence of protons, neutrons, and electrons, basic subatomic particles that create all matter as we know it. Scientists have studied how these particles move and interact with one another, but the process has raised a number of conflicts.
According to string theory, these subatomic particles do not exist. Instead, tiny pieces of vibrating string too small to be observed by today's instruments replace them. Each string may be closed in a loop, or open. Vibrations from the string correspond with each of the particles and determine the particles' size and mass.
How do strings replace point-like particles? On a subatomic level, there is a relationship between the frequency at which something vibrates and its energy. At the same time, as Einstein's famous equation E=mc2 tells us, there is a relationship between energy and mass. Therefore, a relationship exists between an object's vibrational frequency and its mass. Such a relationship is central to string theory.
Limiting the dimensions of the universe
Einstein's theory of relativity opened up the universe to a multitude of dimensions, because there was no limit on how it functioned. Relativity worked just as well in four dimensions as in forty. But string theory only works in ten or eleven dimensions. If scientists can find evidence supporting string theory, they will have limited the number of dimensions that could exist within the universe.
We only experience four dimensions. Where, then are the missing dimensions predicted by string theory? Scientists have theorized that they are curled up into a compact space. If the space is tiny, on the scale of the strings (on the order of 10-33 centimeters), then we would be unable to detect them.
On the other hand, the extra dimensions could conceivably be too large for us to measure; our four dimensions could be curled up exceedingly small inside of these larger dimensions.
...............................................
For those interested in learning more details, Wikipedia has posted a comprehensive article on 'StringTheory' at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/String_theory
Did you see that statement in Nola Talylor Redd's above linked article that String Theory, " ... only works in ten or eleven dimensions"?
My eyes start to glaze over whenever I try to think about our universe having more than 3 dimensions, or perhaps 4 if one includes 'time' as the 4th dimension. Therefore, I know it is exceedingly unlikely I will personally ever be able to put 'String Theory' to any practical use in my daily life.
Nevertheless, I do greatly appreciate the important work the physicists are doing in the field and look forward to learning of future developments.
Hopefully, in time, the major tenets of 'String Theory' or some viable replacement 'Theory of Everything' can be accepted as fact by the scientific community.
I suspect that a great many people share my interest in 'String Theory' and also my mental deficiency regarding any useful understanding of its mathematical complexities.
- which brings me to the purpose of this post!
In a quest somewhat similar (LOL) to the theoretical physicist's search for a 'Theory of Everything', I have long been searching for a broad, simple principle that might help ordinary folks better understand some of the complexities of life and to enhance their chances of success and happiness.
I believe I have found one such elusive principle and have assigned it the acronym 'RIDDLE'. It applies to many of life's important activities.
RIDDLE
Dictionary Definition: "A difficult problem or enigmatic saying. A mystery."
Re-Investment of Dividends Drives Life's Enhancements
The riddle or mystery I will attempt to explain in the following dissertation is how, by investing or giving something, one often ends up getting something back, often multiplied or enhanced many times!
The RIDDLE principle emphatically states that in order to be successful and happy in life one must always reinvest appropriate 'dividends' back into the process. Sometimes, a reinvested dividend might involve a significant sum of money, such as that paid quarterly by a large company to a stockholder. Sometimes, it might be a single dollar bill dropped by an individual into the guitar case of a street musician that has provided enjoyment for those passing by.
Sometimes it might even be just a loving hug or a word of praise for a child who has recently completed a useful task. Recycling 'dividends' not only enhances your own life but it also enhances the lives of everyone around you. The beneficial results from the 'compound interest' on all these reinvested dividends can be truly amazing! The compounding miracle is further magnified when many of those individuals with whom you interact assimilate the idea and start reinvesting their own dividends!
The concept presented in the following chapters seems obvious at first but its simplicity is deceptive. Here in the early 21st century many people seem to believe that their earned 'wealth' in many areas should only flow toward themselves or sometimes even that they are entitled to 'something for nothing', I believe it is important to remember that we must constantly seek to 'give back' a fair portion of all things whenever possible.
This is just a common sense treatise on philosophy for ordinary people. Young adults are my primary intended audience but anyone with an open mind is welcome to listen in and participate, if desired. No profound subjects are discussed and I present just another confirmation of that old truism "there ain't no free lunch", although a lot of people still think such a thing exists.
Continued in the following reply
Comment