The Trouble with Physics: The Rise of String Theory, the Fall of a Science, and What Comes Next is a 2006 book by the theoretical physicistLee Smolin about the problems with string theory. The book strongly criticizes string theory and its prominence in contemporary theoretical physics, on the grounds that string theory has yet to come up with a single prediction that can be verified using any technology that is likely to be feasible within our lifetimes. Smolin also focuses on the difficulties faced by research in quantum gravity, and by current efforts to come up with a theory explaining all four fundamental interactions. The book is broadly concerned with the role of controversy and diversity of approaches in scientific processes and ethics.
The Trouble with Physics: The Rise of String Theory, the Fall of a Science, and What Comes Next
Smolin suggests both that there appear to be serious deficiencies in string theory and that string theory has an unhealthy near-monopoly on fundamental physics in the United States, and that a diversity of approaches is needed. He argues that more attention should instead be paid to background independent theories of quantum gravity.
In the book, Smolin claims that string theory makes no new testable predictions;[1] that it has no coherent mathematical formulation; and that it has not been mathematically proved finite.[2] Some experts in the theoretical physics community disagree with these statements.[3][4]
Smolin states that to propose a string theory landscape having up to 10500 string vacuum solutions is tantamount to abandoning accepted science:
The scenario of many unobserved universes plays the same logical role as the scenario of an intelligent designer. Each provides an untestable hypothesis that, if true, makes something improbable seem quite probable.[5]
The book generated much controversy and debate about the merits of string theory, and was criticised by some prominent physicists including Sean Carroll[6] and string theorists Joseph Polchinski[3] and Luboš Motl.[4]
Polchinski's review states, "In the end, these [Smolin and others'] books fail to capture much of the spirit and logic of string theory."
Motl's review goes on to say "the concentration of irrational statements and anti-scientific sentiments has exceeded my expectations," and,
In the context of string theory, he literally floods the pages of his book with undefendable speculations about some basic results of string theory. Because these statements are of mathematical nature, we are sure that Lee is wrong even in the absence of any experiments.
Sean Carroll's review expressed frustration because in his opinion, "The Trouble with Physics is really two books, with intertwined but ultimately independent arguments." He suggested that the arguments in the book appear divided:
"[one argument is] big and abstract and likely to be ignored by most of the book's audience; the other is narrow and specific and part of a wide-ranging and heated discussion carried out between scientists, in the popular press, and on the internet."
Furthermore,
The abstract argument — about academic culture and the need to nurture speculative ideas — is, in my opinion, important and largely correct, while the specific one — about the best way to set about quantizing gravity — is overstated and undersupported.
Carroll fears that excessive attention paid to the specific dispute is likely to disadvantage the more general abstract argument.
Sabine Hossenfelder, in a review written a year later and titled "The Trouble With Physics: Aftermath" alludes to the book's polarising effect on the scientific community. She explores the author's views as a contrast in generations, while supporting his right to them.[7] Hossenfelder believes that Smolin's book attempts to restore the relation physics once had with philosophy, quoting him as follows:
Philosophy used to be part of the natural sciences – for a long time. For long centuries during which our understanding of the world we live in has progressed tremendously. There is no doubt that times change, but not all changes are a priori good if left without further consideration. Here, change has resulted in a gap between the natural sciences where questioning the basis of our theories, and an embedding into the historical and sociological context used to be. Even though many new specifically designed interdisciplinary fields have been established, investigating the foundations of our current theories has basically been erased out of curricula and textbooks.[8]
The String Warsedit
A discussion in 2006 took place between UCSB physicists at KITP and science journalist George Johnson regarding the controversy caused by the books of Smolin (The Trouble with Physics) and Peter Woit (Not Even Wrong).[9] The meeting was titled "The String Wars" to reflect the impression the media has given people regarding the controversy in string theory caused by Smolin's and Woit's books. A video of the proceedings is available at UCSB's website.[10][11]
^Hossenfelder, Sabine. "The Trouble with Physics Aftermath" on BackRe(Action) (September 19, 2007) "I belong to a different generation. But it seems the prevailing atmosphere I encountered 20 years later in theoretical physics wasn't all that different. And it still isn't all that different today."
^Hossenfelder, Sabine. "The Trouble with Physics Aftermath" on BackRe(Action) (September 19, 2007)
^"George Johnson, Science Journalist in Residence, KITP, the String Wars".
^"QuickTime: George Johnson, Science Journalist in Residence, KITP, the String Wars".
Mindmap of the fundamental concepts described in the book.
Lee Smolin, Brian Greene (18 August 2006). Physicists Debate the Merits of String Theory (Talk-Show Debate). National Public Radio, "Talk of the Nation". Retrieved 2018-04-19.
April 11, 2024
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The Trouble with Physics The Rise of String Theory the Fall of a Science and What Comes Next is a 2006 book by the theoretical physicist Lee Smolin about the problems with string theory The book strongly criticizes string theory and its prominence in contemporary theoretical physics on the grounds that string theory has yet to come up with a single prediction that can be verified using any technology that is likely to be feasible within our lifetimes Smolin also focuses on the difficulties faced by research in quantum gravity and by current efforts to come up with a theory explaining all four fundamental interactions The book is broadly concerned with the role of controversy and diversity of approaches in scientific processes and ethics The Trouble with Physics The Rise of String Theory the Fall of a Science and What Comes NextCover of the hardcover editionAuthorLee SmolinCountryUnited StatesLanguageEnglishSubjectSciencePublisherHoughton Mifflin HarcourtPublication dateSeptember 19 2006Media typePrintPages416 ppISBN978 0 618 55105 7OCLC64453453Dewey Decimal530 14 22LC ClassQC6 S6535 2006Preceded byThree Roads to Quantum Gravity 2001 Followed byTime Reborn 2013 Smolin suggests both that there appear to be serious deficiencies in string theory and that string theory has an unhealthy near monopoly on fundamental physics in the United States and that a diversity of approaches is needed He argues that more attention should instead be paid to background independent theories of quantum gravity In the book Smolin claims that string theory makes no new testable predictions 1 that it has no coherent mathematical formulation and that it has not been mathematically proved finite 2 Some experts in the theoretical physics community disagree with these statements 3 4 Smolin states that to propose a string theory landscape having up to 10500 string vacuum solutions is tantamount to abandoning accepted science The scenario of many unobserved universes plays the same logical role as the scenario of an intelligent designer Each provides an untestable hypothesis that if true makes something improbable seem quite probable 5 Contents 1 Reviews 2 The String Wars 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksReviews editThe examples and perspective in this article may not include all significant viewpoints Please improve the article or discuss the issue October 2013 Learn how and when to remove this template message The book generated much controversy and debate about the merits of string theory and was criticised by some prominent physicists including Sean Carroll 6 and string theorists Joseph Polchinski 3 and Lubos Motl 4 Polchinski s review states In the end these Smolin and others books fail to capture much of the spirit and logic of string theory Motl s review goes on to say the concentration of irrational statements and anti scientific sentiments has exceeded my expectations and In the context of string theory he literally floods the pages of his book with undefendable speculations about some basic results of string theory Because these statements are of mathematical nature we are sure that Lee is wrong even in the absence of any experiments Sean Carroll s review expressed frustration because in his opinion The Trouble with Physics is really two books with intertwined but ultimately independent arguments He suggested that the arguments in the book appear divided one argument is big and abstract and likely to be ignored by most of the book s audience the other is narrow and specific and part of a wide ranging and heated discussion carried out between scientists in the popular press and on the internet Furthermore The abstract argument about academic culture and the need to nurture speculative ideas is in my opinion important and largely correct while the specific one about the best way to set about quantizing gravity is overstated and undersupported Carroll fears that excessive attention paid to the specific dispute is likely to disadvantage the more general abstract argument Sabine Hossenfelder in a review written a year later and titled The Trouble With Physics Aftermath alludes to the book s polarising effect on the scientific community She explores the author s views as a contrast in generations while supporting his right to them 7 Hossenfelder believes that Smolin s book attempts to restore the relation physics once had with philosophy quoting him as follows Philosophy used to be part of the natural sciences for a long time For long centuries during which our understanding of the world we live in has progressed tremendously There is no doubt that times change but not all changes are a priori good if left without further consideration Here change has resulted in a gap between the natural sciences where questioning the basis of our theories and an embedding into the historical and sociological context used to be Even though many new specifically designed interdisciplinary fields have been established investigating the foundations of our current theories has basically been erased out of curricula and textbooks 8 The String Wars editA discussion in 2006 took place between UCSB physicists at KITP and science journalist George Johnson regarding the controversy caused by the books of Smolin The Trouble with Physics and Peter Woit Not Even Wrong 9 The meeting was titled The String Wars to reflect the impression the media has given people regarding the controversy in string theory caused by Smolin s and Woit s books A video of the proceedings is available at UCSB s website 10 11 See also editLoop quantum gravity Peter WoitReferences editNotes The Trouble with Physics p xiv Finiteness is discussed at length in chpts 9 and 16 of The Trouble with Physics especially pp 278 81 a b Polchinski Joseph 2007 All Strung Out a review of The Trouble with Physics and Not Even Wrong American Scientist 95 1 1 a b Motl Lubos Lee Smolin The Trouble with Physics a review on The Reference Frame Smolin quoted in Riordan Michael Stringing physics along Physics World February 1 2007 Carroll Sean M The Trouble With Physics review Discover blog October 3 2006 Hossenfelder Sabine The Trouble with Physics Aftermath on BackRe Action September 19 2007 I belong to a different generation But it seems the prevailing atmosphere I encountered 20 years later in theoretical physics wasn t all that different And it still isn t all that different today Hossenfelder Sabine The Trouble with Physics Aftermath on BackRe Action September 19 2007 George Johnson Science Journalist in Residence KITP the String Wars QuickTime George Johnson Science Journalist in Residence KITP the String Wars Unknown permanent dead link Further readingGreene Brian 1999 The Elegant Universe Vintage Paperbacks A nontechnical introduction to string theory Greene Brian 2004 The Fabric of the Cosmos Penguin Books Space time cosmology and more string theory Nontechnical Penrose Roger 2004 The Road to Reality Alfred A Knopf Technical Randall Lisa 2005 Warped Passages Smolin Lee 2001 Three Roads to Quantum Gravity Woit Peter 2006 Not Even Wrong The Failure of String Theory amp the Continuing Challenge to Unify the Laws of Physics Jonathan Cape UK and Basic Books USA The other book criticizing string theory and the stagnation of theoretical particle physics External links editThe Trouble with Physics webpage maintained by the publisher Houghton Mifflin Joseph Polchinski 2007 All Strung Out a review of The Trouble with Physics and Not Even Wrong American Scientist 95 1 1 Smolin s comment and Polchinsky s reply Mindmap of the fundamental concepts described in the book Lee Smolin Brian Greene 18 August 2006 Physicists Debate the Merits of String Theory Talk Show Debate National Public Radio Talk of the Nation Retrieved 2018 04 19 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title The Trouble with Physics amp oldid 1212989689, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
