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General Discussion & Feedback => Just Chat! => Topic started by: paul cotter on 26/08/2022 15:16:37

Title: Why does physics theory engender such nonsense?
Post by: paul cotter on 26/08/2022 15:16:37
The quantity of absolute nonsense associated with physics theory on this forum is, to me, almost beyond belief. Posters without any real understanding but plenty of buzzwords decide accepted theory and principles are wrong and they know better. I am baffled as to why this happens and almost invariably it is impossible to direct these posters to a better understanding.
Title: Re: Why does physics theory engender such nonsense?
Post by: Petrochemicals on 26/08/2022 17:39:36
Because people can achieve fame and money by making their careers out of unprovable nonsense. Parallel worlds are nothing new, science fiction writers have long written of them, now careers are made trying to scientifically espouse them. I personally am trying to prove the existence of the flying spaghetti monster, being the pastafarian I am.
Title: Re: Why does physics theory engender such nonsense?
Post by: Halc on 26/08/2022 20:39:37
I am baffled as to why this happens and almost invariably it is impossible to direct these posters to a better understanding.
The site simply has far lower standards than most of the science sites. Most will kick off these clowns in short order, but they're allowed here as long as they stay in the playpen. Some sites allow speculations, but only when backed by evidence. No such requirement here.

Because people can achieve fame and money by making their careers out of unprovable nonsense.
That they can, but not by posting their nonsense in a place like this site. Nobody has ever achieved anything but ridicule here, and the occasional approval of other cranks. Knowing how to sell crap to a paying audience is an old artform.

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Parallel worlds are nothing new
Parallel worlds are not nonsense, despite the nonsense sci-fi depictions of them. But the views that suggest them make no empirical predictions either, so they're not really science either. Useful, but just philosophy of sorts, which is why say graduate level quantum mechanics courses barely touch on such views.

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now careers are made trying to scientifically espouse them.
Again, not by posting on forums like this one.

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I personally am trying to prove the existence of the flying spaghetti monster, being the pastafarian I am.
Just like last-Tuesdayism, the point is the attempt to falsify the view, not to prove it. If you don't get that, you probably don't get the FSM.
Title: Re: Why does physics theory engender such nonsense?
Post by: Petrochemicals on 26/08/2022 21:43:06
Quote from: Halc link=topic=85376.msg685867#msg685867
.

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I personally am trying to prove the existence of the flying spaghetti monster, being the pastafarian I am.
Just like last-Tuesdayism, the point is the attempt to falsify the view, not to prove it. If you don't get that, you probably don't get the FSM.
bingo! Now if you would explain precisely how to even start proving multiple realities are false, that will go along way to explaining how to rid this universe of alleged science rubbish the op asks about. Other than that he's up a creek without a paddle.
Title: Re: Why does physics theory engender such nonsense?
Post by: evan_au on 26/08/2022 22:57:10
One aspect of the Naked Scientists podcast is to educate.
- When I was young (probably primary school?), I couldn't understand why a perpetual motion machine was impossible
- So I have some sympathy with others who have trouble grasping entropy

Some people really want to understand if/why their theory has problems - and they will get advice here (sometimes harshly, if they don't pay attention the first time).
- Abusive participants get booted quickly
- As do advertisers

If you don't like looking after children in the playpen, don't read the New Theories.
Title: Re: Why does physics theory engender such nonsense?
Post by: alancalverd on 27/08/2022 00:51:45
how to even start proving multiple realities are false,
I think the answer is in the question. Reality is what we observe, and we only observe one thing.

"Many worlds" is simply a generalisation of the "principle of least action". You can describe an infinite number of hypothetical paths between two states of a system but in practice only one path is followed, and it is the one predicted by the principle. You can describe a complex system as a "world" with several identifiable elements, so its gamut of hypothetical evolutions consists of many "worlds", but only one actually evolves. 
Title: Re: Why does physics theory engender such nonsense?
Post by: syhprum on 27/08/2022 09:00:41
It is not difficult to build what appears to be a perpetual motion machine and sell to ignorant speculators it has been done many times
Title: Re: Why does physics theory engender such nonsense?
Post by: Deecart on 27/08/2022 09:40:49
It is not difficult to build what appears to be a perpetual motion machine and sell to ignorant speculators it has been done many times

Nobody sell perpetual motion machines.
They sell (or not) superunit machines (machines that ADD some energy).
There is great confusion between those two type of machines.

The first : The perpetual motion machine is known to be impossible because of the thermodynamic principle (it is only a principle but very strong established).

The second : The superunit machine could be any machine using some NEW energy source that could be available.
If we dident known the existence of the photelectric effect, some "cranck" could have invented some "solar panel" without knowing how it work : It would be some "superunit machine".
The "crank" that first created the windmill dident really know how the air flow could be used to extract "free" energy.
Etc.

Actually a lot of poeple try and experiment, but nobody found any new energy source (the so named "free energy").
But perhaps someone could find something new.
Per example, if we could create some "solar panel" that use neutrinos instead of photons (by accident), we would be able to use some new energy flux available (even available in closed buildings because neutrinos can go trought matter easily).


Title: Re: Why does physics theory engender such nonsense?
Post by: Bored chemist on 27/08/2022 12:10:21
superunit
You seem to have invented this word, but not really told us what it means.

The perpetual motion machine is known to be impossible because of the thermodynamic principle (it is only a principle but very strong established).
No
It is mathematically proven.
Title: Re: Why does physics theory engender such nonsense?
Post by: Colin2B on 27/08/2022 22:57:12
The "crank" that first created the windmill …
I hate to be the one to break this to you, but cranks and windmills don’t go together, it’s all done with gears.  ::)

The "crank" that first created the windmill dident really know how the air flow could be used to extract "free" energy.
I fear you are tilting at windmills.  ???
In English the word for the ‘arms’ of the windmill is sails (les voiles) and if you look at drawings of early windmills, that’s what they look like. This suggests that the inventor did know that air flow could extract “free” energy. The clever bit was working out how to change a translational motion into a rotary one.
Bet they burnt him at the stake.  ;D
Title: Re: Why does physics theory engender such nonsense?
Post by: alancalverd on 28/08/2022 13:50:14
I think by "superunit" friend Deecart means "over unity" - a machine with efficiency greater than 1.

It only exists in the minds of politicians and economists. For example:

1. Privatise the supply of water, gas and electricity. This obviously increases efficiency and relieves the taxpayer of a burden.

2. Allow the market to collapse so there is no real competition

3. When prices rise to the point of unaffordability, give taxpayers' money to the consumers so they can give it to the shareholders of the private companies.

This guarantees the gratitude of both customer and supplier, hence keeps the current administration in power and everyone is happier, at no cost. The alternative is common sense socialism, which is bad.
Title: Re: Why does physics theory engender such nonsense?
Post by: Petrochemicals on 28/08/2022 15:54:49
I think by "superunit" friend Deecart means "over unity" - a machine with efficiency greater than 1.

It only exists in the minds of politicians and economists. For example:

1. Privatise the supply of water, gas and electricity. This obviously increases efficiency and relieves the taxpayer of a burden.

2. Allow the market to collapse so there is no real competition

3. When prices rise to the point of unaffordability, give taxpayers' money to the consumers so they can give it to the shareholders of the private companies.

This guarantees the gratitude of both customer and supplier, hence keeps the current administration in power and everyone is happier, at no cost. The alternative is common sense socialism, which is bad.
You forgot the technical 'market forces' bit, giving us an unadulterated price, such as is seen in gas and oil. By limiting supply the law of demand states the brice escalates, so producers can charge us a fortune for something that costs very little to produce. It is much different to unionism and public ownership, the private sector can literally have us over a barrel ( of oil).
Title: Re: Why does physics theory engender such nonsense?
Post by: alancalverd on 28/08/2022 17:19:55
In a free market the price of anything is not related to the cost of making it but how much the customer is prepared to pay for it.

A friend working in an art gallery sold a new painting for $50,000. The artist happened to be on the premises, out of sight. When the customer  departed, he said "not bad for four hours' work, eh?"

At least one electricity customer has now publicly complained that her contract is for "100% renewable energy" but is being charged according to the alleged impact of gas prices on electricity generation. Any sign of prosecution for false advertising, or false accounting? I think not.
Title: Re: Why does physics theory engender such nonsense?
Post by: Deecart on 28/08/2022 17:30:56
No
It is mathematically proven.

No, it is principle. You can cry or shout louder, it remain... a principle.
Sorry to talk science.

I think by "superunit" friend Deecart means "over unity" - a machine with efficiency greater than 1.

Yes this is what i mean.


It only exists in the minds of politicians and economists. For example:

No, it would (and was, because before we understand that coal was cointaining energy, every vapor machine was a over unity machine) be some machine that "produce" energy from an actually unknown energy source.

If we would rely actually on your scientificaly advise, we would never have used coal, wood or turbines.
Because you would say : It is impossible !

To be exact, i say "produce", because of course nobody has never produced energy.

Title: Re: Why does physics theory engender such nonsense?
Post by: Kryptid on 28/08/2022 17:44:54
No, it is principle. You can cry or shout louder, it remain... a principle.
Sorry to talk science.

You're both technically correct: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/principle

Quote
a fundamental, primary, or general law or truth from which others are derived
Title: Re: Why does physics theory engender such nonsense?
Post by: Deecart on 28/08/2022 17:46:39
You're both technically correct: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/principle

You use some simple dictionary as a proof ?!!
Shame on you.
Title: Re: Why does physics theory engender such nonsense?
Post by: Kryptid on 28/08/2022 17:48:02
You use some simple dictionary as a proof ?!!
Shame on you.

Words have definitions. If you're not using a word in accordance with its definition, then you are using it improperly.
Title: Re: Why does physics theory engender such nonsense?
Post by: Deecart on 28/08/2022 17:58:30
Words have definitions. If you're not using a word in accordance with its definition, then you are using it improperly.

Words need at least understanding and this is not what you do.

Here is the understanding of Richard Feynman about principle used within science.
Your disctionary not only talk only about principle in science.

Quote from: Richard Feynman
The Principle of Science
The principle of science, the definition, almost, is the following: the test of all knowledge is experiment.
Experiment is thesole judge of scientific "truth". But what is the source of knowledge? Where do the laws that are to be tested come from? Experiment, itself, helps to produce these laws, in the sense that it gives us hints.
But also needed is imagination to create from these hints the great generalizations—to guess at the wonderful, simple, but very strange patterns beneath them all, and then to experiment to check again whether we have made the right guess.
From Feynman Lectures on Physics
https://web.cs.ucla.edu/~lixia/Feynman.pdf






Title: Re: Why does physics theory engender such nonsense?
Post by: Kryptid on 28/08/2022 18:05:46
Words have definitions. If you're not using a word in accordance with its definition, then you are using it improperly.

Words need at least understanding and this is not what you do.

Here is the understanding of Richard Feynman about principle used within science.
Your disctionary not only talk only about principle in science.

Quote from: Richard Feynman
The Principle of Science
The principle of science, the definition, almost, is the following: the test of all knowledge is experiment.
Experiment is thesole judge of scientific "truth". But what is the source of knowledge? Where do the laws that are to be tested come from? Experiment, itself, helps to produce these laws, in the sense that it gives us hints.
But also needed is imagination to create from these hints the great generalizations—to guess at the wonderful, simple, but very strange patterns beneath them all, and then to experiment to check again whether we have made the right guess.
From Feynman Lectures on Physics
https://web.cs.ucla.edu/~lixia/Feynman.pdf

"Principal" can have more than one definition. The one I provided also works in science.
Title: Re: Why does physics theory engender such nonsense?
Post by: Deecart on 28/08/2022 18:15:44
"Principal" can have more than one definition. The one I provided also works in science.

Principle in science is the analog to the postulate in mathematic.
It is something that dont need to be prooved.because... you cant proove it.
You can only proove it is false, not that it is true.

It is used because it is usefull, but one principle can be discarded if you find some counterfact against it.
If you say ; It is a principle so we can not do this thing. And you never do this thing that could contradict this principle, you of course will live forever with your principle.
But you will never attain the truth and you act like dogmatic religious people.
Actually around 3 generations of scientists act like religious peoples, and they like fairytales coming from their imagination (they dont need experimentation because they already know all).
They observe and explain the observation, like in cosmology.


Title: Re: Why does physics theory engender such nonsense?
Post by: Bored chemist on 28/08/2022 18:23:15
No, it is principle. You can cry or shout louder, it remain... a principle.
Sorry to talk science.
Here is the proof.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noether%27s_theorem

Why do you do this?
Title: Re: Why does physics theory engender such nonsense?
Post by: Deecart on 28/08/2022 18:28:46
Here is the proof.

It is not a proof fo me, it is just a link
What is your argument ?

Title: Re: Why does physics theory engender such nonsense?
Post by: Deecart on 28/08/2022 18:29:19
Why do you do this?

Try to do say something that someone can understand.
Title: Re: Why does physics theory engender such nonsense?
Post by: Kryptid on 28/08/2022 19:05:35
Here is the proof.

It is not a proof fo me

Not understanding a proof doesn't mean it isn't proof. Do you know what a theorem is?
Title: Re: Why does physics theory engender such nonsense?
Post by: Bored chemist on 28/08/2022 19:11:45
Why do you do this?

Try to do say something that someone can understand.

Why do you insist on saying things like "it has not been proved" even though (1) it has been and (2) you do not know anything about the subject?
Title: Re: Why does physics theory engender such nonsense?
Post by: Bored chemist on 28/08/2022 19:13:37
It is not a proof fo me, it is just a link
It is a link to the proof that mass/ energy is conserved.
Would it really help if I copied and pasted the proof into this thread?
Title: Re: Why does physics theory engender such nonsense?
Post by: alancalverd on 28/08/2022 22:29:18
No, it would (and was, because before we understand that coal was cointaining energy, every vapor machine was a over unity machine) be some machine that "produce" energy from an actually unknown energy source.
This raises an interesting point. It is doubtful whether anyone considered the idea of a conserved "quantity of work" as being useful before Leibniz, nor whether it became a "popular" feature of physics before Newton. It had always been obvious that you need to put something (food or fuel) into a device (horse or furnace) to get it to do useful work, but the need for numerical analysis really arose when Newcomen began manufacturing steam engines commercially in the 1700s, at which point purchasers wanted to know how much coal was required to pump a given quantity of water from a mine.

This produced a quaint British idiom "nineteen to the dozen", now used to mean "at a great rate" but originally an advertised measure of efficiency:

Quote
When going nineteen to the dozen something or someone is going at breakneck speed. The origin here is one of the nicest that I have come across. It goes back to the time of the Cornish tin and copper mines. These mines were often hit by floods. In the 18th century coal powered, steam driven pumps were installed to clear the water. When working maximally the pumps could clear nineteen thousand gallons of water for every twelve bushels of coal.

Arguably the earliest description of energy efficiency, though the lift height isn't specified in most accounts.