Pseudo-scientists don’t like Einstein’s ‘Theory of Relativity’ as it’s unlike everyday experiences
Scientists world over are celebrating the 100th anniversary of Albert Einstein’s Theory of Relativity. However, people who yearn for a simpler physics, popularly known as “cranks” are generally staying away from the celebrations. Reason? They find “relativity” unusual and not related to everyday life.
Michael J. I. Brown, Associate Professor, Monash University says, “Today the concepts and mathematics of physics are often removed from everyday experience. Consequently, cutting edge physics is largely the domain of professional physicists, with years of university education.”
Einstein predicted that the passage of time is not absolute and that time can slow down near massive celestial bodies such as black holes, stars and planets and for speeding objects. This incredible prediction of Einstein has been verified with speeding muons, satellites and planes. Yet crank theories propose that time is absolute, contrary to Einstein’s belief as it makes it easier for them to relate physics with everyday life.
Michael explains the reason by saying, “But the varying passage of time is nothing like our everyday experience, which isn’t surprising as we don’t swing by black holes on our way to the shops. Everyday experience is often central to cranky ideas, with the most extreme example being flat earthers.”
Michael also points out to the many conspiracy theories that have been promoted by pseudo-scientists. One of the biggest such theories was that man never set foot on the Moon.
Michael says that pseudoscientific theories, rather than harking on simplicity, only displace complexity. He added that perhaps with time Einstein’s Theory of Relativity will become more intuitive with gradual exposure.
Phys.org is of the opinion that it is possible that mankind would have to wait for decades to understand “gravity” without Einstein’s genius of “equivalence principle.” It was Einstein’s first crucial step in formulating the new theory of gravity.
“I Am Because You Are” - an anthology of new writing celebrating the centenary of Einstein's General Theory of Relativity, edited by Pippa Goldschmidt and Tania Hershman has been made available to readers, reports Independent.
Einstein, a revolutionary thinker lectured at the Prussian Academy of Sciences on the afternoon of Nov. 25, 1915 and explained for the first time he published his general theory of relativity.
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