NationStates Jolt Archive

Totally, dude. (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml;jsessionid=NLADBGTKGK5DBQFIQMFCFFWAVCBQYIV0?xml=/earth/2007/11/14/scisurf114.xml&page=1)

I know nothing about physics but I simply could not not steal that headline. Plus, there are enough physicsphiles (what? I didn't want to write "geeks") here who should find this interesting.

Not everybody believes he's on to anything much, as is mentioned in the story and eminently obvious in the comment section...

There's also a link to his paper: http://arxiv.org/abs/0711.0770

So, did Surfer Dude just explain the world?


Edit: Another, hopefully better article (I honestly wouldn't know): Surfer makes waves with scientific 'theory of everything' (http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2007/11/16/science-theory-everything.html) (*groan*)

Off-topic, but obligatory.

http://www.gdargaud.net/Humor/Pics/string_theory.png

Off-topic, but obligatory.

http://www.gdargaud.net/Humor/Pics/string_theory.png
That sums up the extent of my understanding quite excellently.

Like dude... there is this thing called E8 and no I'm not like, talking about a tropical storm or anything. Its like this 256 dimensional shape that we can't really see... but we can write it out mathematically if we had piece of paper the size of Manhattan yo.. so I took a bunch of particle names and put them in it and so now I have this super cool theory on everything.

/impression of surfer dude

Sorry.. the news article did nothing to clarify what the hell they are going on about...

Sorry.. the news article did nothing to clarify what the hell they are going on about...
Don't look at me, I just dug it out and threw it to you guys. <<

I read the article.
I looked at that bunch of lines all connected.
I even added water and stirred after bringing to a low boil.
But I feel no different despite having been exposed to the Theory of Everything.

I'm not, I'm just saying I have no farking clue what this theory on everything really is. They made it sound like a retarded jumble.. this guy took a really obscure shape and then put stars and stuff in it like a toddlers shape toy???

Don't look at me, I just dug it out and threw it to you guys. <<

Guilty by association my friend....... get a rope. ;)

There's also a link to his paper: http://arxiv.org/abs/0711.0770

i like how the only keyword for the paper is "theory of everything"

nice. whatever happens with his actual theory, this guy clearly has the hubris necessary for a successful career in hip hop.

How can he be poor and afford a plane ticket to and from Hawai'i?

Person with PhD in physics writes physics paper (also he happens to like surfing). What's so notable about that? :rolleyes:

I hate when they bring up scientific or mathematical things like this but don't explain what the significance is beyond vague references to Einstein and something utterly but unspeakably amazing.

Totally, dude. (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml;jsessionid=NLADBGTKGK5DBQFIQMFCFFWAVCBQYIV0?xml=/earth/2007/11/14/scisurf114.xml&page=1)

I know nothing about physics but I simply could not not steal that headline. Plus, there are enough physicsphiles (what? I didn't want to write "geeks") here who should find this interesting.

Not everybody believes he's on to anything much, as is mentioned in the story and eminently obvious in the comment section...

There's also a link to his paper: http://arxiv.org/abs/0711.0770

So, did Surfer Dude just explain the world?

The last surfer dude that right about the world tried doing "Harsh Realm". :rolleyes:

Person with PhD in physics writes physics paper (also he happens to like surfing). What's so notable about that? :rolleyes:

The fact that it makes for a most excellent headline. Duh.

How can he be poor and afford a plane ticket to and from Hawai'i?

Priorities.

How can he be poor and afford a plane ticket to and from Hawai'i?

Pimpin'.
That, or maybe he has his slack plane angled right.
Or the universe really loves him for being one of the first to get it "right".

Priorities.

*snarls at word*

God Dammit! I was almost done!

Beaten to the punch by a couple months! :mad:

Well, I can still be famous with my paper on the physics of the Poo Cannon. :p

On a less silly note, he doesn't have to be correct to be a pioneering genius.

There is such a thing as 'elegantly wrong'. Even if he's just provided an avenue of theoretical modeling, it's still devastatingly awesome.

I've heard of E8, but I didn't know it had been 'solved' recently. I would have liked to have heard about that sooner. :(

I've heard of E8, but I didn't know it had been 'solved' recently. I would have liked to have heard about that sooner. :(

It was solved in March of 2007...I'll have to rummage around to see if I can find the article. Of course, it only became possible to do so in the past few years (if I recall correctly, the solution is the end result of a four-year effort)...so that means we've only begun to scratch the surface of these objects' potential.

It was solved in March of 2007...I'll have to rummage around to see if I can find the article.

C'mon, don't make me wait!

Sorry.. the news article did nothing to clarify what the hell they are going on about...
My guess is that's because the journalist who reported this didn't have a gnat's arse of a clue as to what the hell this surfer dude was going on about either, but the headline potential alone just screamed out for this to be included in that day's paper.

It was solved in March of 2007...I'll have to rummage around to see if I can find the article. Of course, it only became possible to do so in the past few years (if I recall correctly, the solution is the end result of a four-year effort)...so that means we've only begun to scratch the surface of these objects' potential.

One thing I want to check into is that the article makes it sound like surfer dude is claiming that e8 is in less dimensions than hypothesized? I'm not clear on that. I'm trying to track down more info on his theory paper.

One thing I want to check into is that the article makes it sound like surfer dude is claiming that e8 is in less dimensions than hypothesized? I'm not clear on that. I'm trying to track down more info on his theory paper.

If you find it, send it my way. I'd be interested in more information myself.

On a less silly note, he doesn't have to be correct to be a pioneering genius.

There is such a thing as 'elegantly wrong'. Even if he's just provided an avenue of theoretical modeling, it's still devastatingly awesome.
There's a scientist quoted in the article with similar words: "Some incredibly beautiful stuff falls out of Lisi's theory".

One thing I want to check into is that the article makes it sound like surfer dude is claiming that e8 is in less dimensions than hypothesized? I'm not clear on that. I'm trying to track down more info on his theory paper.
If you find it, send it my way. I'd be interested in more information myself.
Did you see the link in the OP to the paper itself? I had a look - there seem to be enough crazy formulas (-la? -lae?) in there to occupy the knowledgeable reader.

My guess is that's because the journalist who reported this didn't have a gnat's arse of a clue as to what the hell this surfer dude was going on about either, but the headline potential alone just screamed out for this to be included in that day's paper.
Exactly. It's a disgrace to the profession. At least I had the decency to just go for the headline and not even pretend I knew what it was about.:p

I've heard of E8, but I didn't know it had been 'solved' recently. I would have liked to have heard about that sooner. :(
It was solved in March of 2007...
See? Had it been solved by, say, a surfer dude, you would have heard about it the day after publication. *nod*

*Waits for Stephen Hawking to take up surfing*

*Waits for someone to promptly post a photoshop of Stephen Hawking surfing*

*Waits for Stephen Hawking to take up surfing*

Uhm, yeah. I'm not about to read some leftist propaganda about the earth and stuff. You can tell yourself whatever you want, just don't advocate it to me.

Whereyouthinkyougoing, if you keep this nonsense up I'm going to have to report you to the mods.

*Waits for someone to promptly post a photoshop of Stephen Hawking surfing*
*Provides an appropriate shop-worthy image*

http://www.synthstuff.com/mt/archives/Stephen_Hawking_zero_G.jpg

Uhm, yeah. I'm not about to read some leftist propaganda about the earth and stuff. You can tell yourself whatever you want, just don't advocate it to me.

Whereyouthinkyougoing, if you keep this nonsense up I'm going to have to report you to the mods.You're getting better at this. :fluffle:

*Provides an appropriate shop-worthy image*

http://www.synthstuff.com/mt/archives/Stephen_Hawking_zero_G.jpg
Lies. Not only does it not show up, it won't let me access it even when I copy&paste it. Boo.

You're getting better at this. :fluffle:


Lies. Not only does it not show up, it won't let me access it even when I copy&paste it. Boo.

I see it.

I lack sufficient knowledge in either surfing or physics to be able to judge this matter properly. Although, if the article had had a teensy bit more relevant info I might have a better idea of what is going on.

I see it.
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l192/whereyouthinkyougoing/Smilies/sad021.gif

I lack sufficient knowledge in either surfing or physics to be able to judge this matter properly. Although, if the article had had a teensy bit more relevant info I might have a better idea of what is going on.
Alright, alright, I'll go see if I can find a better article... (How sad is it that I couldn't even tell if it was good or bad? Oh physics, why must you hate me so?)

I lack sufficient knowledge in either surfing or physics to be able to judge this matter properly. Although, if the article had had a teensy bit more relevant info I might have a better idea of what is going on.

Here, maybe this one is better:
Surfer makes waves with scientific 'theory of everything' (http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2007/11/16/science-theory-everything.html) (*groan*)

Also, a physics blog:
Garrett Lisi's Theory of Everything (http://uduality.blogspot.com/2007/11/garrett-lisis-theory-of-everything.html)

I lack sufficient knowledge in either surfing or physics to be able to judge this matter properly. Although, if the article had had a teensy bit more relevant info I might have a better idea of what is going on.

A quick summary:

There are 4 classic forces in the universe:

The Strong Nuclear Force(Strong interaction)
The Weak Nuclear Force(Weak interaction)
Electromagnetism and
Gravity.

Up until now, three of the four forces have been interconnected via mathematical equations, but to incorporate gravity into a Unified Field Theory has had to involve a frightening array of extra dimensions.

Surfer dude did it in eight dimensions via an interesting extradimensional construct called E8.

As for E8, it is a geometric symmetrical construct that apparently can act as a key to deriving any calculation involving the four forces from any other observed data. Until recently, it was too complicated to effectively work with.

This makes for a cool headline.



That is all I have to add.

I wonder what a surfer's take on wave-particle duality is...

*Waits for someone to promptly post a photoshop of Stephen Hawking surfing*

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2182/2046911003_2b08e54cb5_o.jpg

A quick summary:

There are 4 classic forces in the universe:

The Strong Nuclear Force(Strong interaction)
The Weak Nuclear Force(Weak interaction)
Electromagnetism and
Gravity.

Up until now, three of the four forces have been interconnected via mathematical equations, but to incorporate gravity into a Unified Field Theory has had to involve a frightening array of extra dimensions.

That I recall and understand.

Surfer dude did it in eight dimensions via an interesting extradimensional construct called E8.

As for E8, it is a geometric symmetrical construct that apparently can act as a key to deriving any calculation involving the four forces from any other observed data. Until recently, it was too complicated to effectively work with.

This is where I become baffled. I've never heard of this construct before, and I'll have to do some reading on it.

Surfer dudes are the best people to explain the universe. They are in touch with their inner beings.

I bet his mother is left wondering "why couldn't he of been a rock star/desk pilot"

bloody physicists mooching off my taxes!

Surfer dudes are the best people to explain the universe. They are in touch with their inner beings.

Thetans?

<snip>
This is where I become baffled. I've never heard of this construct before, and I'll have to do some reading on it.

I went and did some reading on it, and I am now more baffled. Let's just say that 'surfer dude astonishes physicists' is not quite the right phrasing. More like 'physicist and mathematician comes up with idea'.

I've had a look at wiki and his paper, and I'm still lost in the mathematics.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2182/2046911003_2b08e54cb5_o.jpg
Quality: A+
Follow-through: A+
Timing: C

Love it. :p

This guy is a doctor of theoretical physics who happens to enjoy surfing. He is not a stereotypical surfer dude.

How can he be poor and afford a plane ticket to and from Hawai'i?

Many excellent astronomy institutes on Hawaii ;)

This guy is a doctor of theoretical physics who happens to enjoy surfing. He is not a stereotypical surfer dude.
Read thread for discussion of how "Physicist Comes up with Yet Another Universal Theory" just wouldn't have cut it. ;P

This guy is a doctor of theoretical physics who happens to enjoy surfing. He is not a stereotypical surfer dude.

To quote the guy himself:


The thing is... I am a surfer dude.

I see it.Ditto. I always knew that Steven Hawking could fly. The Simpsons never lie. :)

To quote the guy himself:

oh shitty shit shit.. Hes not like any of the surfer dudes I know.


Did anybody read his paper? I understand a little bit of it but I can't make too much from it. I think he just looked at a bunch of famous math formulas and found a way to relate them to each other.:rolleyes:

Did anybody read his paper? I understand a little bit of it but I can't make too much from it? I think he just looked at a bunch of famous math formulas and found a way to relate them to each other.:rolleyes:

The wiki is quite decent:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_Exceptionally_Simple_Theory_of_Everything

I have some doubts about its validity, but definately agree it is original and nicely devised.

as he writes, "the mathematics of the universe should be beautiful."


This somes it up for me - he totally undercuts him self in this self serving statement. May he get stuck with a hypo next time he runs on the beach.

As humans confined this planet we really have no idea what lies out of our grasp, the eye can be fooled and our hopes shape up warm and fuzzy ideas.
Dream on dudes and pass the weed I just made this bong out of a coconut.

Totally, dude. (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml;jsessionid=NLADBGTKGK5DBQFIQMFCFFWAVCBQYIV0?xml=/earth/2007/11/14/scisurf114.xml&page=1)

I know nothing about physics but I simply could not not steal that headline. Plus, there are enough physicsphiles (what? I didn't want to write "geeks") here who should find this interesting.

Not everybody believes he's on to anything much, as is mentioned in the story and eminently obvious in the comment section...

There's also a link to his paper: http://arxiv.org/abs/0711.0770

So, did Surfer Dude just explain the world?


Edit: Another, hopefully better article (I honestly wouldn't know): Surfer makes waves with scientific 'theory of everything' (http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2007/11/16/science-theory-everything.html) (*groan*)
From the comments that accompany the article:

Ulimately this is still just another view of the spendour of the universe. For many people this knowledge will provide a better understanding of God. The question is do we really have to solve the great unknowns of the universe to find that communion or is there another way that even an uneducated person can find?
For God does work in mysterious ways!! :D

as he writes, "the mathematics of the universe should be beautiful."


This somes it up for me - he totally undercuts him self in this self serving statement. May he get stuck with a hypo next time he runs on the beach.

As humans confined this planet we really have no idea what lies out of our grasp, the eye can be fooled and our hopes shape up warm and fuzzy ideas.
Dream on dudes and pass the weed I just made this bong out of a coconut.
Why shouldn't "the mathematics of the universe should be beautiful", since they were created by God?

:eek:
Dude! Whoa! That's bogus! It's like, totally radical!

oh shitty shit shit.. Hes not like any of the surfer dudes I know.


Did anybody read his paper? I understand a little bit of it but I can't make too much from it. I think he just looked at a bunch of famous math formulas and found a way to relate them to each other.:rolleyes:

Of course anyone could have done it....
I'll admit that I get the basic idea behind it, but I wouldnt understand the actual detail of it. A-level physics just doesn't quite cut it :p

Of course anyone could have done it....
I'll admit that I get the basic idea behind it, but I wouldnt understand the actual detail of it. A-level physics just doesn't quite cut it :p

Well I know that when he tried to put all the different known particles into an E8 diagram, there were some empty spaces, so he put gravitons in those. Gravitons, or gravity particles, have not been proven to exist. And who says you can just fill in the parts of your theory that haven't been discovered. Well, thats IS what Mendelev did I geuss. Still, there are just too many assumptions here to make me comfortable with this idea. I could talk for a long time about this.

Well.. at least his idea can be tested ;)

Well I know that when he tried to put all the different known particles into an E8 diagram, there were some empty spaces, so he put gravitons in those. Gravitons, or gravity particles, have not been proven to exist. And who says you can just fill in the parts of your theory that haven't been discovered. Well, thats IS what Mendelev did I geuss. Still, there are just too many assumptions here to make me comfortable with this idea. I could talk for a long time about this.

Well, a theory isn't really the right word. This is a proposal for a theory. By definition, there have to be new bits, or else nothing new has really been done.

One of the important things about any hypothesis (which is what this really is) is that it makes predictions that can be tested. Just saying "Here's another explanation for what we already know" is interesting, but unless its radically better, it's not deserving of too much praise. This, on the other hand, postulates extra things which can be tested to confirm it's truth.

Now, having glanced at the paper. I don't have enough physics or mathematics to grok it properly, but it isn't exactly just random stuff. It seems to be at least a reasonably interesting idea, and I'll be watching to see what ends up happening with it.

Again, the article headlines are very misleading. The guy is a trained physicist, not a random surfer. He just happens to be a trained physicist who surfs.

As for the mathematics. A decent correspondence between a mathematical object and real-world data or other models can suggest, and be the grounds for, an excellent tool for further research. If you can find a way of fitting all the current work into the same model, and get the same results out as are already predicted, you might be onto something. So you work out what would happen if you're right, write it up, and get someone to test it.

Finally, whether or not he's right is really irrelevant. A good piece of work should be interesting and suggest new avenues for research in either case. From what I've heard, if he's right, there will still be plenty for others to do - simplification and the like for a start. It'll also open up new avenues of research and the like. If he's wrong, many of the ideas are apparently interesting enough to suggest new things anyway.

Someone's probably already mentioned this, but it was a Surfer Dude with a doctorate in theoretical physics.

Well, a theory isn't really the right word. This is a proposal for a theory. By definition, there have to be new bits, or else nothing new has really been done.

Hypothesis is the word you're looking for. Either that or conjecture.

One of the important things about any hypothesis...

But you already knew that :p

Lol personally the only thing I notice is the extensive amounts of Jewish stars on his paper.

I wonder what a surfer's take on wave-particle duality is...

Harharhahrharharharhar*snort*harharHARDYHARHARHAR .....
et cetera