Reforming Science

In a recent post on modern science, I listed several indications that God is currently making fools out of us scientists. While this is not exactly a prediction, I have a speculation that would make a great addition to this list. One of the unfortunate features of modern science is an increased reliance on abstract calculations. A good example of this is the theory of black holes. These are predicted by Einstein’s theory of gravity (general relativity) when a large amount of mass is confined to a small volume. While there has been a considerable amount of experimental confirmation of Einstein’s theory of gravity in the limit when gravity is weak, there is currently no direct confirmation of it in the strong gravity regime in which black holes are predicted to occur. Scientists have only recently completed the construction of an experimental apparatus that is designed to detect signals from very compact objects such as black holes (which are predicted by Einstein’s theory to emit radiation in the form of gravitational waves). A huge amount of effort and funding has gone into the construction of these gravity wave detectors, and they are currently collecting data. No signals have been detected as of yet, but this is not surprising because the signals are expected to be very weak due to the large distances to the sources. Upgrades are planned for the detectors, however, in order to increase their sensitivity. The continued lack of results after these upgrades would cause a considerable amount of consternation.

I have a couple of reasons for thinking that such a lack of results is a possibility, other than the extreme embarrassment this would be to modern science. 1) Black holes are represented by infinities in Einstein’s equations of general relativity. Usually the presence of infinities indicates the breakdown of a theory. 2) It seems to me that the primary reason for the acceptance of the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics (to which I do not hold, primarily because it doesn’t make sense) as the orthodox view is a firm commitment to a Newtonian/atomistic paradigm. By analogy with the revolution started by Copernicus, who was working within an Aristotelian framework, the current scientific revolution still needs a Newton to develop a new paradigm. Black holes result from taking Newtonian concepts to their logical extreme. 3) We lack an understanding of mass at a fundamental level, and there are sometimes difficulties even defining the concept of mass within general relativity; one could potentially avoid the infinity that is a black hole by modifying one’s understanding of mass. 4) Another way to avoid infinities in the theory is with a varying speed of light. I’ll write more about this later, but in my view this is the most promising way to account for the discrepancy between six thousand and thirteen billion years.

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