tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2846514233477399562.post7579499810311303501..comments2024-01-08T09:37:04.406+01:00Comments on RÉSONAANCES: Experimental success, theoretical debacleJesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08947218566941608850noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2846514233477399562.post-9982847794478132362011-11-09T17:36:04.366+01:002011-11-09T17:36:04.366+01:00All of what I have said is covered in the article ...All of what I have said is covered in the article by Polchinski that Jester cited. This wasn't deliberate (I read it later), but isn't a coincidence.Tories Smellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15622660682213487917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2846514233477399562.post-34927259486828827712011-11-09T16:52:33.031+01:002011-11-09T16:52:33.031+01:00Also, the cyclic scenario of Steinhardt and Turok...Also, the cyclic scenario of Steinhardt and Turok is a good one. Here the small cosmological constant is necessary for the mechanism to work, which is, I suppose, weakly anthropic. The scenario also intimately ties "inflation" (in this case the deflation dual, see Gasperini and Veneziano), to the current accelerated expansion. There is also the falsifiable prediction that no gravity waves will be observed by Planck.<br /><br />Observation of primordial gravity waves by Planck would falsify many theories on inflation and the cosmological constant, but prove few without a precise measurement of the tensor to scalar ratio and tilt of the power spectrum.The problem with any "exotic" solution to the cosmological constant problem, for example using modified gravity, is that it must also solve the basic problems that Jester alluded to: namely why is every other contribution zero. This is why it shifts the problem, doesn't solve it.<br /><br />I prefer Bousso's solution, were we can define a probability measure on the landscape using the holographic principle. He has likened the measure problem to renormalisation in the early days of QFT. There is a horrible impasse, and its resolution unsettles people and seems non-physical, but may ultimately lead to new understanding. <br /><br />In this case, string theory has helped us greatly. It has given a coherent framework in which to answer these questions, through giving us the landscape, and the AdS/CFT correspondence. In addition, we have gained negative classical contributions to the cosmological constant, that are sources of cancelation for the positive terms that Jester told us about. These are the AdS vacua in some moduli potentials.<br /><br />As one commenter alluded to, in the standard landscape/eternal inflation scenario, inflation and the cosmological constant problem are intimately linked. So we have gained even more by understanding this, and in string theory have gained a coherent framework to ask systematic questions, which in the case of cosmology can make testable predictions.<br /><br />Granted, however, there may still be entropy problems with populating the landscape via CdL instantons…<br /><br />Also, the cyclic scenario of Steinhardt and Turok is a good one. Here the small cosmological constant is necessary for the mechanism to work, which is, I suppose, weakly anthropic. The scenario also intimately ties "inflation" (in this case the deflation dual, see Gasperini and Veneziano), to the current accelerated expansion. There is also the falsifiable prediction that no gravity waves will be observed by Planck.<br /><br />Observation of primordial gravity waves by Planck would falsify many theories on inflation and the cosmological constant, but prove few without a precise measurement of the tensor to scalar ratio and tilt of the power spectrum.Tories Smellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15622660682213487917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2846514233477399562.post-39741466940476197532011-11-09T16:52:25.356+01:002011-11-09T16:52:25.356+01:00The problem with any "exotic" solution t...The problem with any "exotic" solution to the cosmological constant problem, for example using modified gravity, is that it must also solve the basic problems that Jester alluded to: namely why is every other contribution zero. This is why it shifts the problem, doesn't solve it.<br /><br />I prefer Bousso's solution, were we can define a probability measure on the landscape using the holographic principle. He has likened the measure problem to renormalisation in the early days of QFT. There is a horrible impasse, and its resolution unsettles people and seems non-physical, but may ultimately lead to new understanding. <br /><br />In this case, string theory has helped us greatly. It has given a coherent framework in which to answer these questions, through giving us the landscape, and the AdS/CFT correspondence. In addition, we have gained negative classical contributions to the cosmological constant, that are sources of cancelation for the positive terms that Jester told us about. These are the AdS vacua in some moduli potentials.<br /><br />As one commenter alluded to, in the standard landscape/eternal inflation scenario, inflation and the cosmological constant problem are intimately linked. So we have gained even more by understanding this, and in string theory have gained a coherent framework to ask systematic questions, which in the case of cosmology can make testable predictions.<br /><br />Granted, however, there may still be entropy problems with populating the landscape via CdL instantons…Tories Smellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15622660682213487917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2846514233477399562.post-1105485229289438822011-11-06T23:00:49.142+01:002011-11-06T23:00:49.142+01:00BTW, it is sexist to demand femininity from a femi...BTW, it is sexist to demand femininity from a feminist.Keahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05652514294703722285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2846514233477399562.post-88412224660174793842011-11-06T11:33:51.495+01:002011-11-06T11:33:51.495+01:00...and yes, I agree I need to think of some strict......and yes, I agree I need to think of some stricter commenting rules, as the above discussion demonstrates :-)Jesterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08947218566941608850noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2846514233477399562.post-91762254635177326332011-11-06T07:49:26.190+01:002011-11-06T07:49:26.190+01:00Hey Jester, there's some cleaning up to be don...Hey Jester, there's some cleaning up to be done here.<br /><br />"If porker Higgsy is not found in the remaining 120-145 GeV hiding place, then it will be claimed that he is hiding in some more arcane corner of the multiverse."<br /><br />OK, so, if the Higgs turns out to deviate from its SM properties (which wouldn't be surprising but welcome) in such a way that it makes it harder to produce or detect then we'll need more time to find it. You really must have serious intellectual malfunctions to blame this on the theorists!<br /><br />Postmodern pseudo-science? Take your medication before polluting the web, please.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2846514233477399562.post-62511286363010414592011-11-05T21:35:46.445+01:002011-11-05T21:35:46.445+01:00Mark, your racist tone is not appreciated here. As...Mark, your racist tone is not appreciated here. As for this story, I am sure that that is not at all unusual for a dude geek. As you say, they have different standards.Keahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05652514294703722285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2846514233477399562.post-1217907005032194482011-11-05T04:01:48.330+01:002011-11-05T04:01:48.330+01:00I liked Princeton too.
Albert ZI liked Princeton too.<br /><br />Albert ZAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2846514233477399562.post-71892261364368361702011-11-04T20:12:09.075+01:002011-11-04T20:12:09.075+01:00Such certainty about fairies, even under anonymity...Such certainty about fairies, even under anonymity! One might even suspect that Anon1 seriously believes what he was told at school.Keahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05652514294703722285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2846514233477399562.post-28898661383049793642011-11-04T17:40:58.268+01:002011-11-04T17:40:58.268+01:00Of course not!
If porker Higgsy is not found in t...Of course not!<br /><br />If porker Higgsy is not found in the remaining 120-145 GeV hiding place, then it will be claimed that he is hiding in some more arcane corner of the multiverse.<br /><br />This was the gambit with "magnetic monopoles", and with the heroic search for "free quarks".<br /><br />Theorists will say the porker's mass is much higher, or he resides in an unobservable extra-dimension, or there is one out there somewhere but we should not expect to be close enough to observe it.<br /><br />Gotta love that postmodern pseudo-science!<br /><br />Albert ZAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2846514233477399562.post-64465033567688093682011-11-04T14:49:47.606+01:002011-11-04T14:49:47.606+01:00Kea, the Higgs boson cannot be ruled out this mont...Kea, the Higgs boson cannot be ruled out this month, this year or the next one. Your misunderstandings are truly outrageous.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2846514233477399562.post-43965331670424038672011-11-04T13:46:48.527+01:002011-11-04T13:46:48.527+01:00Ok so the dark energy is a mysterious expansionary...Ok so the dark energy is a mysterious expansionary force.<br /><br />And inflation in the early universe is a mysterious expansionary force.<br /><br />So are they related to each other?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2846514233477399562.post-9589345927823583962011-11-04T05:34:06.159+01:002011-11-04T05:34:06.159+01:00That'd be a winning bet for me, since analysis...That'd be a winning bet for me, since analysis of the current LHC run won't be nearly complete in a month. But I don't particularly care if you insult me or not. The wine would have been tempting though.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2846514233477399562.post-32975291336586619642011-11-04T05:02:11.959+01:002011-11-04T05:02:11.959+01:00Perhaps Anon1 will accept a bet. If the Higgs boso...Perhaps Anon1 will accept a bet. If the Higgs boson is ruled out this month, he/she reveals their identity. If it is not, we refrain from insulting Anon1 in return for six months (I would offer a good bottle of wine, but my budget does not extend that far).Keahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05652514294703722285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2846514233477399562.post-65220690705057270512011-11-04T03:48:06.588+01:002011-11-04T03:48:06.588+01:00"Anon1 here, replying to Anon2 and matpitka. ..."Anon1 here, replying to Anon2 and matpitka. The thing that bothers me is blogs are read by lay people who might be mislead into thinking these fringe ideas have broad acceptance within the scientific community."<br /><br />Surely you jest, Mr. Anon1!<br /><br />Who has misled the lay public more than the string theory community, which by a stretch of definitions might be called part of the scientific community? <br /><br />Your professed concern for minds of the "lay people" is condescending and a blatant cover for your prejudice for conventional science and against attempts to improve the rapidly failing conventional paradigm.<br /><br />Albert ZweisteinAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2846514233477399562.post-38748392208677518242011-11-03T21:44:34.323+01:002011-11-03T21:44:34.323+01:00Anon1,
I disagree with your viewpoint. Theoretica...Anon1,<br /><br />I disagree with your viewpoint. Theoretical physics is currently riddled with many challenges and unsettled questions. Blogs are a valuable source for communicating novel ideas and often times being open-minded and bypassing the establishment is a likely recipe for scientific progress.<br /><br />And, by the way, why do you choose to hide your identity if you hold such confident beliefs?<br /><br />Cheers,<br /><br />ErvinErvin Goldfainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07585008304556273617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2846514233477399562.post-45541200049665758492011-11-03T18:00:41.119+01:002011-11-03T18:00:41.119+01:00Anon1 here, replying to Anon2 and matpitka. The t...Anon1 here, replying to Anon2 and matpitka. The thing that bothers me is blogs are read by lay people who might be mislead into thinking these fringe ideas have broad acceptance within the scientific community. Although I can completely understand why Jester would rather not spend his time policing this stuff. As for the best way to communicate new ideas, I would favor such conventional means as submitting to journals, presenting at conferences, etc. If someone can't find acceptance for their views from such venues, maybe it says more about the quality of the idea than the close-mindedness of the scientific community (which tends to be greatly exaggerated by the folks on the fringe).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2846514233477399562.post-1562852578814966602011-11-03T15:09:44.397+01:002011-11-03T15:09:44.397+01:00No, there is a quartic divergence which is indepen...No, there is a quartic divergence which is independent of mass. You can get a cancellation in unbroken supersymmetry (between bosons and fermions) or using ghost symmetry (ghost partners with the opposite sign kinetic term).Jesterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08947218566941608850noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2846514233477399562.post-67927406536082163832011-11-03T12:48:56.187+01:002011-11-03T12:48:56.187+01:00Hi Jester,
out of curiousity, would contributions ...Hi Jester,<br />out of curiousity, would contributions from negative mass particles come with minus sign also?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2846514233477399562.post-69179718786194944942011-11-03T11:51:53.914+01:002011-11-03T11:51:53.914+01:00re. fringe dwellers, one can always adopt the stra...re. fringe dwellers, one can always adopt the strategy suggested by xkcd...<br /><br />http://xkcd.com/955/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2846514233477399562.post-61254731456297561342011-11-03T11:49:23.365+01:002011-11-03T11:49:23.365+01:00Dear Jester,
the misanthropic principle as conven...Dear Jester,<br /><br />the misanthropic principle as conventionally understood is somewhat more subtle, see <a href="http://insti.physics.sunysb.edu/~siegel/parodies/misanthrope.html" rel="nofollow">here</a>.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2846514233477399562.post-48951742923115321062011-11-03T09:40:56.289+01:002011-11-03T09:40:56.289+01:00"see also the comment section for crazier exa..."see also the comment section for crazier examples"<br /><br />hehehe<br /><br />did i ever say that i like your sense of humor? well, i do :-)chrisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2846514233477399562.post-13662879253937385292011-11-03T08:39:52.504+01:002011-11-03T08:39:52.504+01:00To the first Anonymous. Isn't the basic functi...To the first Anonymous. Isn't the basic function of blogs to help new ideas to get communicated? At least this is what I have been thinking.matpitka@luukku.comhttp://tgd.wippiespace.com/public_html/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2846514233477399562.post-71282744926635847572011-11-03T01:24:55.342+01:002011-11-03T01:24:55.342+01:00Well, why exactly do people find alternative ideas...Well, why exactly do people find alternative ideas so upsetting, and need to quickly react with anger and/or ridicule?<br /><br />Excuse me if I answer my own question, but it is simply that humans find it very disconcerting when their beliefs are challenged by observations or other ideas.<br /><br />Ironically, when an aged paradigm is in imminent danger of collapse, and most needs an infusion of radical new ideas, that is when the backreaction against the new ideas is the strongest.<br /><br />Curious!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2846514233477399562.post-82609886519020534252011-11-02T21:36:55.622+01:002011-11-02T21:36:55.622+01:00Rather too lazy to monitorRather too lazy to monitorJesterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08947218566941608850noreply@blogger.com