The Unique Universe

[Martin]

Lee Smolin has a new article in Physics World that will shake some people up.

 

http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/print/39306

 

It's primarily about time. The idea that the universe actually has a fundamental global time, that its evolution runs on. Even though as we well know from conventional relativity the time we experience is observer-dependent.

 

But the article will also help tone down some of the "Multiverse" excesses of the past several years.

[Sisyphus]

Very interesting. I didn't know that Smolin was collaborating with Roberto Unger, but it makes sense. I need some processing time before I'll be prepared to comment.

[Martin]

Sisyphus, who said this?

 

"Law is par excellence the thing that wants a reason. Now the only possible way of accounting for the laws of nature...is to suppose them results of evolution."

 

I'll give you a hint. An American philosopher.

 

I would judge that this quote is the cornerstone of Smolin's collaboration with Unger.

 

In physics if you simply trace observations back to the application of a physical law then you have explained nothing. The challenge is to explain the law itself. Why it is not some different law.

 

They want to carry the understanding of nature to a deeper level. (I think.)