Just watched a tv program about physics. It talks about how theoretical physics pursue the unified theory of universe--the unification of general relativity and quantum mechanics. Of course, i don't understand much. I guess i only get 10% of the contents and I was totally lost when it gets to string theories.
But i was attracted by the main theme: they quest of unification. It started with the theory of gravity unified explanation of planet orbit and gravitation on Earth, which later became general relativity. Then, the theory of electromagnetism unified explanations of phenomena related to electricity and magnetisim. Then comes quantum mechanics--the theory of matters that deeply based on probability rather than "universal law". Yet, physics is still in the quest of unifying all these theories, hoping to come up with simple elegant theories to "understand the universe at all levels".
Perhaps the quest of unification is a common disease among scientists, an pathetic obsession of distilling the world into simple theories.
I am afraid that i have also contracted the disease.
i constantly realize that i am just a simple-minded person, who urges to simplify the world to make it manageable. Isn't it so true? Life could be condensed into a few simple rules that transcend time and space. "To love and be loved" is the #1 and "Follow your heart" seems getting #2. Same for my motivation to research. i wish that by focusing my efforts on research, my world would become manageable, getting rid of the crazy, complicated, fuzzy things going on. That's my quest of unification
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