As I was sleeping, I began dreaming about the universe and how everything fit together. And in the middle of this dream I started thinking about Newton and Gauss and all the other cool dudes from the past centuries and how their ideas changed the way we viewed the world. Then I realized that the last time this happened was a long freaking time ago. like 250 years ago. and so i came awake and started thinking about string theory and the idea that we live in more than 3+1 dimensions. Initially, the thought of having more dimensions is kind of out there. But when I'm thinking about the vast expanse of the universe, it just seems to fit. to make sense.
But what doesn't make sense and is still keeping me up at almost 5am, is the fact that people are trying to prove the additional dimensions using calculus. And right now, I don't see why.
first, calculus was created with 3 dimensions in mind. Not 3+1 not 4+2 not 10+1, 3. Yes, calculus has the ability to calculate the vast quantities and movement of space from 1 up to 3 dimensions and that adding another in now way harms the beauty of the mathematics. BUT, i don't follow this continued theory that the fourth dimension acts in the act same way as the other 3. Or the eleventh has to act in the exact same way as the tenth.
The traditional way to explain the fourth dimension (and no scientist disputes the fact that we live in at least a 3+1 dimensional world) is by saying that you have the 3 dimensions we are familiar with: up/down, left/right, forward/back and then a fourth direction in/out. In other words, you have yet again, a set of two choices: either in OR out. My question: What if it's not a choice? What if the in the fourth dimension in IS out? As in, no matter what you choose you are choosing the other? What if there is no choice? What if the fourth dimension said "Fuck it. I don't care if you're a heart or diamond. You're freaking red."
IF true, this could explain the "timeth" dimension. This would mean going into the future is actually going back into the past, but since going into the past is going into the future, all you can see is the present(where both directions line up perfectly) and the future.
Thus, if one dimension decides to not act accordingly, calculus gets thrown out the window. If it doesn't, then Newton's still a genius.
** after typing the conclusion, I somehow get the feeling that someone else has already proposed this idea, but not in any sort of mathematical way. I can almost guarantee I missed something simple so all thoughts of clarity are welcomed.
But what doesn't make sense and is still keeping me up at almost 5am, is the fact that people are trying to prove the additional dimensions using calculus. And right now, I don't see why.
first, calculus was created with 3 dimensions in mind. Not 3+1 not 4+2 not 10+1, 3. Yes, calculus has the ability to calculate the vast quantities and movement of space from 1 up to 3 dimensions and that adding another in now way harms the beauty of the mathematics. BUT, i don't follow this continued theory that the fourth dimension acts in the act same way as the other 3. Or the eleventh has to act in the exact same way as the tenth.
The traditional way to explain the fourth dimension (and no scientist disputes the fact that we live in at least a 3+1 dimensional world) is by saying that you have the 3 dimensions we are familiar with: up/down, left/right, forward/back and then a fourth direction in/out. In other words, you have yet again, a set of two choices: either in OR out. My question: What if it's not a choice? What if the in the fourth dimension in IS out? As in, no matter what you choose you are choosing the other? What if there is no choice? What if the fourth dimension said "Fuck it. I don't care if you're a heart or diamond. You're freaking red."
IF true, this could explain the "timeth" dimension. This would mean going into the future is actually going back into the past, but since going into the past is going into the future, all you can see is the present(where both directions line up perfectly) and the future.
Thus, if one dimension decides to not act accordingly, calculus gets thrown out the window. If it doesn't, then Newton's still a genius.
** after typing the conclusion, I somehow get the feeling that someone else has already proposed this idea, but not in any sort of mathematical way. I can almost guarantee I missed something simple so all thoughts of clarity are welcomed.
Labels: insomniac, newton, string theory
posted by Bruhaha at 2:31 AM
10 Comments:
I'd say relativity is right up there with world-view changing discoveries.
wow bruni
I'm all about the dualistic nature of light...it's a particle, no it's a wave! Both? Neither? What the hell?!
now are you saying that calculus, as it is, is inadequate to model the +1 dimension, or that the present model is inadequate?
mathematics shouldn't claim to represent reality, it should simply be a logic onto which "reality" can be mapped, and a proper mapping allows real observations to be preserved across mathematical operations, yielding new insights.
@mix: i guess i have a bias against relativity. it's not that i disagree with it, but that it isn't finalized. it feels like a work in progress.
@jesse: i don't think calculus can adequately explain the +1 dimension. good second point.
without relativity your little hand held GPS timer and distance-calculator is F U C K E D
I don't know much.
but what I do know is that Newton said his greatest accomplishment in life was remaining a virgin until death...not discovering the calculus.
which means, we should probably stop using it and pursuing other things for fourth dimensions.
p.s. I know people are going to think I'm lying, but watch the PBS video about Newton's life, I speak the truth.
I daresay Newton wasn't the only scientist or mathematician who died a virgin...
Too bad Mix no longer has that excuse
too bad the hero does...
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