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CaptainHarley's avatar

E8 Theory?

Asked by CaptainHarley (22457points) January 2nd, 2011

An alternative to String Theory is a geometrical theory called E8 Theory. I have really been struggling with this, although I’m not sure why. Can anyone help, either by explanation or by pointing me toward sites, books, etc? This is beginning to give me a headache!

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12 Answers

ETpro's avatar

@CaptainHarley Until it is at least published and peer reviewed, why should we peons even try to understand it. It’s only appeared so far as a preprint. The reviews on that have largely been dismissive.

I’m not even going to delve deeply into String Theory till there is some physical evidence it is true. To date, we only know that it works mathematically, and we know lots of things satisfy that criteria while being mutually exclusive. It isn’t even clear that E8 Theory reaches the level of working mathematically.

CaptainHarley's avatar

Whew! Thank you! I thought I was going to have to wade through that to find out what I don’t know! : D

Rarebear's avatar

It’s a theory proposed by Lisi, the surfer physicist. He wrote a good article about it in December’s Scientific American if you can get a hold of it. http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=a-geometric-theory-of-everything

CaptainHarley's avatar

@Rarebear

I subscribe. That article is the one which prompted the question. : )

Cruiser's avatar

Garrett Lisi gives a TED talk on his brain ache theory.

CaptainHarley's avatar

Kewl! Thank you. I’ll have a look-see as soon as I can. : )

Rarebear's avatar

@CaptainHarley I didn’t understand it well either, although it did have pretty pictures. I’ll have to look at the TED talk as well.

ETpro's avatar

@Cruiser That was a terrific clip. Lisi’s stock just went up a few points here. I’m still waiting for evidence. But the LHC just may yield it.

CaptainHarley's avatar

@ETpro

It may be a bit early to say, but I’m leaning the same way. I’ve had to rethink the entire subject since I found out about E8 Theory, but I have to admit that it’s very interesting… what I can understand of it so far!

BTW… it still gives me a headache! LOL!

ETpro's avatar

@CaptainHarley You and me too, my friend. The hurts so good kind of headache, though.

CaptainHarley's avatar

@ETpro

LOL! Agreed. : )

CaptainHarley's avatar

Just watched that TED and I think I’m getting a bit better understanding, but it’s difficult for a highly visual person. I’ll work on it. Great presentation, BTW! : )

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