"Surfer Dude" Rewrites Physics?

There is nothing significant about a man who spends his time adventuring, surfing, snowboarding, and hopping from job to job. Of course if that man has a PhD in theoretical physics and has just published a paper which may be the biggest breakthrough in physics since Einstein, well then you have a story.

A few weeks ago, Lisi posted an academic paper called "An Exceptionally Simple Theory of Everything" to arxiv.org, a site for scientists that's maintained by Cornell University. The paper outlined his attempt at a theory that would lay out the physics of the universe in one tidy package. For half a century, researchers have sought to reconcile gravity with the three forces that operate inside atoms, where gravity seems to hold no sway. No one—not even Einstein, who spent the later years of his life trying—has been able to explain how these four forces can coexist.

To understand fully Lisi's own stab at the problem requires a grasp of mathematics far beyond all but a handful of people, but the basic premise is that all physical forces and particles can be explained by mapping them onto an incredibly complex geometrical structure known as E8. If Lisi is right, his theory would give an elegant shape to the physics of the cosmos, and E8 would become as significant as E=MC2. This would be a remarkable feat coming from any of the most accomplished physicists alive. Coming from a surf bum, it would be beyond extraordinary.

Lisi began presenting his theory at conferences last year, and many well-regarded physicists found it interesting, even plausible. So he posted the paper, hoping for feedback. And with that, he set off a rogue wave of hype and backlash that he's having a hard time riding. SURFER DUDE STUNS PHYSICISTS WITH THEORY OF EVERYTHING, thundered London's Telegraph. Discover magazine asked, COULD THE NEXT EINSTEIN BE A SURFER DUDE?

Of course this is brand new and it will take awhile to be fully vetted, but this is still very exciting. Even if the whole theory does not pan out, breaking it down and debunking it could lead to a better understanding of our current physics models. I think it is great that this is coming from an outsider, too. Often it takes someone outside of the establishment, whatever it may be, to see something with a different perspective and shake things up.

If you are curious to learn more about physics, then I highly recommend Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time. It really is geared for the lay reader and Hawking does a fantastic job of explaining complicated theories in very understandable ways. It's also a beautiful eye-opener to many hidden wonders in our incredible universe.

Cars are the Instruments of Satan

I finally got my vehicle towed to the shop Monday Tuesday morning after my most recent mishap. They told me they would take a look at it later that day and give me a call with a prognosis. It is Thursday morning and I have yet to hear from them. This can't be a good sign.

UPDATE: Tuesday, not Monday. *sigh* It's been a long week.

I also got a call a couple of hours after I posted this. The shop got my vehicle running. They had to rewire the positive and ground cables off the battery. That's not so bad. What's worse is that I asked them to check out the oil leak and they said it's the transmission which is beyond their purview, though they recommended a place. If it's not one thing, it's another.

Just Say No

That's what the Disabled American Veterans told Dick Cheney who was supposed to speak at a convention for them in Vegas. They changed their minds after finding out about his "draconian and unreasonable" security demands, things like the vets having to be in the room two hours before Cheney came and not being able to leave until after he had (and there are no bathrooms in the room). Cheney's people said they were willing to work with the group, but they still said 'no.' Darth Cheney indeed. And the picture accompanying the article is great.

Getting a Degree in Comics

Geeks of the world unite! Colleges are now analyzing comics in the classroom and even instituting programs for the study of them.

But only graduate student Kate McClancy came armed with an analysis of how an asylum in the Caped Crusader's world reflects the American debate over treatment of the mentally ill.

It's an obscure topic, to be sure. But Ms. McClancy's treatise was right at home at Comic-Con International, which was held here this past weekend.

Dozens of other scholars were tackling arcane subjects from "the geek as melodramatic hero" to "the problem of vigilante justice" in the famed graphic novel "Watchmen."

Just 15 years ago, many professors would have scoffed at the in-depth study of comics.

Now, comics are coming into their own in classrooms of all kinds, gaining an unprecedented level of respect and spawning serious debate over their greater meaning.

"Comics have changed. They're not the comics that we grew up with," says Peter Coogan, an organizer of the academic-oriented panels at Comic-Con.

"They can stand up to literary and critical analysis," he says.

Across the country, hundreds of professors and college students spend their days analyzing comics, and the University of Florida even allows postgraduate English students to specialize in comics studies.

I think this is great. Anyone who scoffs should read Watchmen, Sandman, Maus, and The Dark Knight Returns and then decide whether or not comics can convey just as serious a story as any other medium. Of course there will always be elitists, but most people eventually (hopefully) realize that the medium itself is not what's important, but what the author/artist does with it. I would hold Watchmen up as one of the best stories I have ever read and I've read a lot.

America is Doomed!

A new blog is going to chronicle the "mountain of sin" that is destroying our great nation.

This blog is going to be committed to chronicling the ever increasing mountain of sin that threatens to destroy America.

America was once the greatest country in the world. We were wealthy, we were civilized, we were cultured, we were generous and kind-hearted, we loved others, and we tried to follow God.

But now we have seen decades of moral decline. Men of God have gone across this nation warning that the huge mountain of sin that America is building will bring the judgment of God.

But has America listened? Has America repented? No! Instead America has treated God's patience with contempt and has indulged in ever increasing sin year after year. Now America is absolutely loaded with evil and wickedness.....

Thank God we have this guy around to point out all of the things we're doing wrong. I'm pretty sure no one has ever said anything about America being full of sinners before *coughJeremiahWrightJerryFalwellBennyHinnFredPhelpsPatRobertson
JamesDobsoncough* No doubt this blog will serve as a catalyst to right the course of our sinking ship and sail us to Heaven. *sniff* I'm gettin' all choked up just thinking about it.

Anyway...I might have to check this blog out from time to time, especially when I'm not in a good mood 'cause it will serve as the perfect reminder that things could be worse. I could be as stupid as this guy.

Death by Taser

A man died in police custody down in Louisiana after being tasered nine times while handcuffed. A grand jury is being convened to determine if criminal charges will be filed.

I have been certified to carry a Taser at my job and I know what it's like to get hit by one. One of the things that was stressed in our training was that the Taser is not a pain compliance tool. It is to be used when lethal force is justified in order to protect the officer or someone else from serious bodily harm. You can't convince me that this was the case here. The man was handcuffed. Throw him on the ground and sit on him or get other officers to wrestle the man into a cell. There are control options available other than the Taser.

Unfortunately, because it is so easy and effective, not to mention it doesn't leave blood or bruises, it has become common for law enforcement officers to use it anytime a suspect gets mouthy or doesn't cooperate right away. Part of their training is learning how to cope with those situations, but for many all of that gets thrown out the window as soon as they have a Taser on their belt which leads to some tragic circumstances. It also amounts to torture, although I guess in this country that's probably a-okay to most.

Police departments need to start more strictly regulating Taser use before a hue and cry is raised that gets them taken away which would be unfortunate because they are an effective tool when used properly.

Doffing Your Clothes

New York has a new group, the "Optional Clothing Diners" club. The optional part seems to be a bit of a misnomer as clothes are not permitted when they rent out a restaurant for the evening. While I certainly feel our society is often too concerned with clothing, I wonder about the logistics of something like this, for example...

-Where do you keep your wallet?

-Wouldn't ordering something like soup become rather dangerous?

-If somebody spills something on their nether regions and misses a spot when wiping it up, is it kosher to point it out?

-What happens if someone needs the Heimlich maneuver?

-Is eying an attractive member of the opposite sex more or less acceptable?

-What about "Family Night"?

-Are the chairs washed afterwords?

No doubt there are other logistical issues to address, but, hey, if the members of this elite club are enjoying themselves, more power to them.

Weekly Music Video

Reaching way back for a great feel-good song (and a strange video that seems to be tapping into the 60's drug culture)...

The Turtles - "Happy Together"

Weekly Secret

PostSecret

Executive Branch Criminals

Slate has a helpful (if depressing) Venn diagram of "alleged" criminals surrounding Bush up to and including the Decider himself. Now, if only there was some sort of, oh, I don't know..."justice" system in this country whereby those accused of crimes could be brought forth and tried. Well, at least none of them got a blowjob in the White House. Now that's a serious issue that should be dealt with if ever it were to come up.

Gays in the Military

Hilzoy makes one of the best arguments for gays being allowed to openly serve in the military.

I imagine that it often happens that soldiers who are part of the same unit do not like one another. Sometimes, a soldier might even despise another member of his or her unit, or think that other soldier immoral or contemptible. And yet, when these feelings do not have to do with sexual orientation, we routinely expect soldiers to put their personal feelings aside and do their jobs. And when they don't, we assume that they, not the people they endanger, should be disciplined.

If, for instance, a soldier is racist, and cannot find a way to work with African-American soldiers, we do not discipline or expel the African-Americans. If a soldier dislikes another and cannot put her feelings aside and do her job, we do not punish the soldier she dislikes; we punish her. In all other cases, we assume that given a choice between two soldiers, one of whom is trying to complete his mission to the best of his ability, and one of whom is unable or unwilling to put his animosity aside and do his job, we choose the first. We expect this of our men and women in uniform, and we also expect that they will be given the training and the leadership they need to act like professionals.

I have never understood why it's different when gay men and lesbians enter the picture.

With any luck this appalling law will soon be repealed and gay people will be allowed to openly serve our country.

Ah, Government

Flint, Michigan is now regulating how people dress. And, no, it's not saying that people must be clothed in public. They have passed a law outlawing baggy pants.



I'm glad that Flint has solved all of its other problems and just had this little thing to make their town peachy keen. The city must be a haven of bliss especially with those damn kids and their saggy pants off the streets. I bet every citizen of the town is now holding hands and singing Kum-Bah-Ya while angels sound their harps.

Or maybe, the idiots running Flint should get their heads out of their asses and worry about things that really matter, say the shitty economy.

Would She Rather He Had Stuck Around?

A woman has successfully sued her ex-fiance for $150,000 because he broke off the engagement.

Shell argued her fiance's promise of marital bliss amounted to a binding contract. She said she left a high-paying job in Florida to be with Gibbs and she said she has suffered financial losses since their break-up. She also said she has suffered emotionally.
...
"People shouldn't be allowed to do that and hopefully he'll think twice before he does it to someone else," said Shell.

Wow. Isn't it better to break up before the marriage rather than get married and realize they weren't right for each other? I guess not according to this woman. This seems to be a clear case of inflated self-importance. "I'm special and I should always get what I want." Maybe the guy broke up with her in a rather distasteful manner; still, it shouldn't give her the ability to make him pay her $150,000. Guess what, lady? Life's a bitch. Grow up and deal with it.

Doubt

A great quote about doubt via the Dish.

Despite the common delusion to the contrary the philosophy of doubt is far more comforting than that of hope. The doubter escapes the worst penalty of the man of faith and hope; he is never disappointed, and hence never indignant. The inexplicable and irremediable may interest him, but they do not enrage him, or, I, may add, fool him. This immunity is worth all the dubious assurances ever foisted upon man. It is pragmatically impregnable. Moreover, it makes for tolerance and sympathy. The doubter does not hate his opponents; he sympathizes with them. In the end he may even come to sympathize with God. The old idea of fatherhood submerges in a new idea of brotherhood. God, too, is beset by limitations, difficulties, broken hopes. Is it disconcerting to think of Him thus? Well, is it any less disconcerting to think of Him as able to ease and answer, and yet failing?"- H.L. Mencken. From "Damn, a Book of Calumny" (now out of print, but available in "A Mencken Chrestomathy"; p.96)

Weekly Music Video

Who doesn't love church bells? They have such a big, rich sound that makes them a perfect fit for hard rock/heavy metal, so how about a two-fer this week?

Metallica - "For Whom the Bell Tolls"



AC/DC - "Hells Bells"



If those don't get your blood pumping, check your pulse.

Weekly Secret

I can relate to the sentiment behind this at times.

PostSecret

The Dark Knight. Best Superhero Movie Ever?

I saw The Dark Knight today with my mom and daughters. I was speechless when it was over.

This is not just a comic-book movie. Oh, sure it is rooted in familiar comic tropes, but they are just a stepping stone for a tale that transcends its origin to become a great movie period. The movie has garnered rave reviews and I'll add my voice to the chorus. Chris Nolan has assembled a brilliant film with the help of an excellent script and incredible acting.

Not enough praise can be heaped on Heath Ledger for his acting as the Joker. He doesn't go over the top as Nicholson did in 1989's Batman, but so thoroughly inhabits the role and makes the psychotic killer leap off the screen and grab you by the throat. This Joker is not just crazy, but an inhuman force of nature which is enhanced by Nolan's wise decision not to give details on Joker's origin. Doing so would have humanized him and dramatically decreased his impact.

Dark is certainly an apt description of this movie. It goes places that even "serious" movies dare to tread. Much of the film is a psychological examination of the type of person who would be Batman, but also the people who fight him, and the normal citizens around them. It's chilling watching Joker tell Batman that they are not that far apart and Batman realizes how true that is. The Joker also manages to pull off a clever twist on the prisoner's dilemma and the bleakness of the whole movie truly leaves the viewer in doubt as to the outcome.

I feel that The Dark Knight is easily the best superhero movie made to date. Christopher Nolan is proving himself to be one of the most talented filmmakers around and I can't wait to see what he comes up with next.

The Electoral College Needs To Go

I've been saying it for years and I'm not the only one who thinks so.

As proven definitively in FairVote's new reports The Shrinking Battleground and Who Picks the President?, the Electoral College system will, if not reformed, relegate two-thirds of Americans to the sidelines during presidential elections for years to come. Today, record-setting campaign resources are targeted at just a handful of states. Voter mobilization money, advertising dollars, campaign energy, candidate visits and almost certainly policy decisions are all spent to sway voters in roughly a dozen states. That number of competitive states is far smaller -and more consistent election to election- than it was just two decades ago. The result is rapidly growing inequality in voter turnout, especially among young people. Racial fairness is undermined because these states are disproportionately white.

The odds of this changing anytime soon? Yeah, not bloody likely.

George W. Bush Sewage Plant

Heh. San Franciscans will vote this November on whether or not to name a sewage treatment plant after our esteemed President. Personally, I think it gives Bush too much credit; at least the treatment plant cleans up its mess.

John Ashcroft Down With Torture

John Ashcroft told a House panel today yesterday that waterboarding serves a "valuable purpose" and does not constitute torture. This is, of course, in contrast to the opinion of most other people (aka the sane ones). I still find myself baffled that we are having this debate here in America. Where did our moral compass go? When did we start thinking it was okay to be just as sinister as the bad guys? How do people sleep at night knowing that they authorized/condoned/participated in torture?

I suppose it comes back to 9/11 as it so often does these days. Yes, the events of that day were horrific beyond imagining. That does not give us the green light to ditch our morals, though. Indeed, it is in times such as those that we need to staunchly reaffirm what we stand for, what we believe. Unfortunately we have let fear overrule our reason which has led to our leaders saying that it is okay to torture, but it's not really torture 'cause we're the good guys and we're doing it to protect America.

Well, I don't want to live in that America. I would rather see it fall than become a nation so corrupted morally. Thankfully, we can still undo this. We can elect politicians who do not support torture and will prosecute those who practice it. I'm not sure where they are, but they have to be out there, right? Right?