Dangling Particles, Physicist Lisa Randall Explains Why

¶ … Dangling Particles, physicist Lisa Randall explains why the complexities and abstract nature of modern science only makes it even more incomprehensible to the layman. For example, virtually everything we know today about quantum mechanics at the smallest end of the spectrum of matter and everything we know about galaxy formation at the largest end of the spectrum requires advanced scientific training to conceptualize.

A layperson relying exclusively on direct observation and on the traditional notions of the four dimensions cannot possibly understand what quantum physicists men by "strings" or about the nature or gravity and the particles whose theoretical existence allows scientists to deduce the existence of things (like additional dimensions) that cannot be observed directly in any way. The other main idea of the author is that the very notion of what a theory is in the scientific context adds to confusion and misunderstanding.

In everyday parlance, theory refers to something that is not yet verified or documented with evidence. However, in science, the concept of theory refers to systems of analysis that have been experimentally confirmed and that represent frameworks for further understanding. Einstein's Theory of Relativity is a perfect example; biological evolution is another. Both have been confirmed unequivocally in their broad principles and through specific predictions that have been confirmed. Unfortunately, the layman's understanding of theory equates utterly baseless theories (like Intelligent Design) with genuine scientific principles like Relativity and Evolution.

The former is an untestable "theory"; the latter two are factual. The very different uses of the word "theory" provide a field day for advocates of "intelligent design." By conflating a scientific theory with the colloquial use of the word, creationists instantly diminish the significance of science in general and evolution's supporting scientific evidence in particular. Admittedly, the debate is complicated by the less precise nature of evolutionary theory and our inability to perform experiments to test the progression of a particular species.

Moreover, evolution is by no means a complete theory. We have yet to learn how the initial conditions for evolution came about -- why we have 23 pairs of chromosomes and at which level evolution operates are only two of the things we don't understand. But such gaps should serve as incentives for questions and further scientific advances, not for abandoning the scientific enterprise. This debate might be tamed if scientists clearly acknowledged both the successes and limitations of the current theory, so that the indisputable elements are clearly isolated.

But skeptics have to acknowledge that the way to progress is by scientifically addressing the missing elements, not by ignoring evidence. The current controversy over what to teach is just embarrassing. DANGLING PARTICLES [9.19.05] LISA RANDALL, a professor of physics at Harvard, is the author of Warped Passages: Unraveling the.