X-Message-Number: 22128
Date: Fri, 4 Jul 2003 18:51:20 +0900 (JST)
From: "Matthew S. Malek" <>

> In Einstein's times for example, QFT was the summit of theoretical
> physics, it is no more the case today.  If you push QFT too much they
> get flawed, that is why other, larger theories such supersymetry,
> p-branes (Clifford space),... have been built.

While this is true, it is important to recall that the "other, larger
theories" that you mention do not enjoy the successes that Quantum Field
Theory has.  QFT has made highly detailed predictions that have been
verified with amazing accuracy.  Indeed, QFT is the underlying basis of
the Standard Model of particle physics, which has also been highly
successful.  As a model, we know that it is not complete; it relies on too
many input parameters.  Nonetheless, for three decades, many of its
predictions were verified, and none of them were proven false until the
discovery of the neutrino mass in 1998 by the Super-Kamiokande experiment.

None of the extended theories have made a single prediction that has been
verified so far.  There is not a shred of evidence for supersymmetry, nor
is there any for string theory, supergravity, technicolor, etc.  It is
worth noting, in fact, that string theory has been around for nearly four
decades without producing a single prediction that has been verified.

So, depending on how you look at it, QFT could still be considered the
summit of theoretical physics.  Yes, we know there are regions in which it
becomes flawed.  But no other theory has yet to successfully navigate
those regions _and_ be confirmed by any experimental evidence.  At the end
of the day, physics is an experimental science.  Theories are cheap and
easy to produce -- just look at the volume of papers published by
theorists -- but all of them are worthless without corroborating
experimental evidence.

=>Best,
=>Matthew

---------------------------+-------------------------------------------------
   Matthew S. Malek        |    "Judging by his outlandish attire, he's
       |     some sort of free-thinking anarchist!"
---------------------------+-------------------------------------------------
QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

           "A nation that continues year after year to spend
            more money on military defense than on programs
            of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom."

                              --Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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