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If this were a tough
game, now would be the time
The mathematical and physical machinery of physics can be awe-inspiring.
However, like the art within and around a cathedral, an examination
of the
details can disclose a number of embarrassing and silly irreverent
acts, a
clinging to old, unenlightened ways, so it seems. Quantum physics prides
itself
in being a revolutionary overthrow of classical physics (aka Newtonian
Physics).
Yet an examination of its cathedral reveals a desperate hanging-on
to its classical
trappings. We won't do it here, but really, one of the best preparations
for learning
quantum physics would be 20-40 years of immersion into the beauty and
depth of
classical physics. For the uninitiated, classical physics is simply
a description of
everyday phenomena: the glide of birds, the billowing of clouds, the
rolling of waves.
Man can get to the moon and back with just classical physics. He can
also build cars
and generate electricity (of the non-nuclear variety). Without quantum
physics, an
understanding of phenomena as simple as heat will elude you, but a
huge amount of
productive work can be accomplished with just classical physics. If
you do NOT
have a deep understanding of the language and methods of classical
physics, then
you will NOT fully understand a single equation in quantum physics.
All of the
fundamental concepts of classical physics, conservation of energy,
conservation
of momentum, conservation of electric charge, thermodynamics, entropy,
mass,
light ... reappear in quantum physics.
Quantum's Lesson changes the meaning we give to all of
these classical concepts.
From quantum's lesson we then learn to cast a more profound light on
symbols far
removed from physics! We also learn something about the exact nature
of reality.
When Niels Bohr, in 1912, first grasped the importance of Planck's
quantum postulate
for describing atoms, he excitedly wrote to his brother "It could be
that I've found out
a little bit about the structure of atoms . . . a little piece of the
reality."*
When we understand the meaning and purpose of symbols, we can work with
them
in powerful ways. Isn't that what Michelangelo did? Of course, he had
tremendous
technical skill, but it behooves us to understand what skilled artists
are doing,
even if we can't imitate them. How do you go beyond photography, or
simple
realism, without going insane?
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