John Carlos Baez on Nostr: npub142pdf…2jy55 - "I always get the impression that physicists speak in terms of ...
npub142pdf0hluzkf9tygejlmwhf7aqalk70tp0jczdu7xfyhwn5mlc2qj2jy55 (npub142p…jy55) - "I always get the impression that physicists speak in terms of analogies and high-level ideas that cannot be properly understood with a great deal of technical knowledge, a substratum of sorts. Is this correct?"
Yes.
"If so, how does one get to know about the technical substratum without selling their soul?"
It's just like math: you take 4 years of undergrad courses, to 4 years of graduate work, read lots of papers, talk to people and go to conferences.
At least that's what I had to do! I spent about equal time on math and physics as an undergraduate and grad student, I did my thesis on quantum field theory, and I've worked with a bunch of physicists. So, I guess I know more physics and less math than if I'd been solely studying math.
I wish there were a shortcut, but I don't know one!
Yes.
"If so, how does one get to know about the technical substratum without selling their soul?"
It's just like math: you take 4 years of undergrad courses, to 4 years of graduate work, read lots of papers, talk to people and go to conferences.
At least that's what I had to do! I spent about equal time on math and physics as an undergraduate and grad student, I did my thesis on quantum field theory, and I've worked with a bunch of physicists. So, I guess I know more physics and less math than if I'd been solely studying math.
I wish there were a shortcut, but I don't know one!