First collisions at the LHC with unprecedented Energy! (Ask a particle physisicist)

[Alex K]

Of course as a big disclaimer, I have not been a very important figure in the grand scheme of particle theory,

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but I would say that I have done some good work and a very decent grasp of the physics and a pretty broad range of expertise. I say that to emphasize that I am not necessarily the gold standard by which to judge expertise in theoretical physics, and to establish that I am not suffering from delusions of grandeur. That being said, I have, just recently, read articles in a respectable journal by professional philosophers concerning my field of study, and have been less than impressed. He was going on and on about how physicists are misled because how can we possibly advance the field if we don't really know what particles really are and so on. To me it read like someone who doesn't understand the maths desperately trying to tell us that we do not know what we are doing or talking about, because we don't rigidly formulate our theories in a language he understands (because it is arguably impossible). What makes me angry about this is, in his desperate attempt to stay relevant despite not fully understanding the theory, the guy besmirches the reputation of the field. This is not the first time I encountered this kind of lameness. I signed up for the philosophy working group of the german physical society and went to the first meeting, and that was the last one

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Vell, ve can't all be der virst violinists in der orkestra.
Some ov us gots to push der vind tru der tuba!

After 6 years of medical practice, I thought it might be amusing to take a course in ethics as distribution credits towards an engineering degree.
It was fun, but I wasn't impressed with the rigor.
Math isn't as poetic.  But when it's right it's right.

BTW, is there a 'Particle physics math for dummies?"
I did well in the engineering math courses, though it's been a while.

I strongly disagree with the idea that math isn't poetic. I find the crystalline elegance with which it describes many things, to be among the most poetic things I know.


Concerning particle maths for dummies, when my field theory text book comes out this fall (which is aimed at advanced undergrad and beginning grad students) I have actually considered doing something like that - kind of a popular science book with extra maths sections.