Geometric Unity

[sanman]

Yes, I know it will cause a lot of people to roll their eyes, but yet another new Grand Unification Theory is making the rounds again. This one is proposed by Eric Weinstein, a Harvard Math PhD who became a hedge fund economist (oh well, at least he's not a patent clerk)

He seems to have attracted some cheerleaders, because of the alleged elegance of the design:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2013/may/23/eric-weinstein-answer-physics-problems

As of yet, no paper has been published, but he's due to present at Oxford today @4pm.
Here are various excerpts providing some glimpses of it:

http://www.fastcodesign.com/1672696/did-a-hedge-fund-guy-unlock-the-biggest-question-in-the-universe

It claims to unify the quantum scale world with the rest of physics, and  predicts the existence of various new particles, some of which might be testable. It also comes up with an explanation of Dark Matter and Dark Energy for the expansion of the universe (or "observerse" as he calls it). The theory calls for 14 dimensions (4 for spacetime plus 10 more)

If the theory somehow turns out to have teeth, then I'm wondering if this might open up the opportunity for some physics exploits that could benefit space travel.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Weinstein

http://www.eric-weinstein.net/

[Jim]

not every new discovery has space travel applications.

[Nomadd]

 Can't say I'm qualified, but everything I'm reading sounds either vague or familiar.
 Some of the particle's he's proposing are too high energy to ever be produced by an Earthbound accelerator and might be detected by sort of a super AMS, but I'm not sure what else would be applicable to space.

[7even6ix2wo]

For a broad overview of the theory's development an features see  The Truth About Geometic Unity


Geometric Unity is outlined in these three papers:

A new approach to time unifies QM and GR.  Einstein's equations and the fine structure constant are derived from one simple geometric principle.  Tempus Edax Rerum

A new 14D cosmological model is developed.  A flaw in the ADM positive definiteness theorem is identified and a major outstanding issue in Kaluza theory is resolved.  Geometric Cosmology

The new theory predicts the structure of the standard model.  A unique experimental prediction is derived.   Quantum Structure

 

[Nilof]

As far as I know, this hasn't been published in a peer-reviewed paper. I'll stay sceptical.

The only attempt to realize a theory combining QFT and GR that I wouldn't immediately class as crackpottery is string theory and it's variations. At least String theorists provide some very good spinoffs in terms of mathematical tools that are useful in other areas of physics and in pure mathematics, such as condensed matter physics.

Quite frankly though, the bottleneck of modern physics is not the number of new theories. It is experimental data to confirm them. You're more likely to contribute to the development of new physics by becoming an engineer and advancing technology than by graduating as yet another physicist with loads of models that can't be experimentally confirmed.

[QuantumG]

Except for Cosmology where there's more data than anyone understands, no good theories to explain any of it and a community that's focused on producing more data with a total disregard to cost.

[IRobot]

It also comes up with an explanation of Dark Matter and Dark Energy for the expansion of the universe (or "observerse" as he calls it).

So he has an explanation for something that has not been proven to exist?

[R7]

The new theory predicts the structure of the standard model.  A unique experimental prediction is derived.   Quantum Structure

Acknowledgements

The author wishes to recognize octopi for keeping it
real in the ocean. The author wishes to thank Sheriff _____
for not putting the fungicide in his cattle feed.
His help was invaluable. We express gratitude to Captain
Pickard for making the LSD that spurred this inquiry.
F__k the system.

Too much chemical aid to tackle those extra-dimensional theories?

[meekGee]

Except for Cosmology where there's more data than anyone understands, no good theories to explain any of it

So far so good....

and a community that's focused on producing more data with a total disregard to cost.

If the data is creating problems, lack of data won't help solve them (!!!!)

[QuantumG]

It's the total disregard for cost that's the problem. "Hey, we have no idea what this stuff we're getting means, where should we focus our limited resources? I know, let's focus on getting more of it.."

[meekGee]

It's the total disregard for cost that's the problem. "Hey, we have no idea what this stuff we're getting means, where should we focus our limited resources? I know, let's focus on getting more of it.."

So are you talking about Webb vs. LHC kind of trade off?
Webb vs. planetary science?
Science instruments vs. general space technology?
Science in general vs. the defense budget?
Science and defense vs. Spiritualism?

So many fights, so little time...

[JulesVerneATV]

the Cosmology type of Celebs are talking again and having arguments

Geometric Unity: 40 Years in the Making | Eric Weinstein
https://curtjaimungal.substack.com/p/geometric-unity-40-years-in-the-making

The Big Picture: On the Origins of Life, Meaning, and the Universe Itself by Sean Carroll
https://atimelesslens.ca/2025/05/24/the-big-picture-on-the-origins-of-life-meaning-and-the-universe-itselfby-sean-carroll/

[Robotbeat]

Technically, this goes in the New Physics section.