Klarinet Archive - Posting 001081.txt from 2004/03

From: "Joseph Wakeling" <joseph.wakeling@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] OT: String Theory, etc... (RE: [kl] Pitch perception)
Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2004 11:49:08 -0500

<< His examples explaining String Theory were loaded with musical metaphor.
>>

It's important to be aware that scientists often use metaphorical images to
construct theories and communicate ideas, but that doesn't mean those
theories have direct relevance to the original inspiration.

For example, a colleague of mine did some marvellous work which involved
what became known as the "sandpile model", because the mental image used was
of sand being sprinkled in a pile. But actually while the model is
beautiful and relevant to a great many things, it's *not* relevant to real
sand!

Regarding string theory, my understanding is that it is a very beautiful
theory but that there is very little that we can do at the present moment to
confirm it experimentally. What's attractive about it is that it provides a
mathematical/theoretical framework which resolves some of the presumed
contradictions between existing theories (quantum theory and relativity)
which we have been able to confirm experimentally.

True or not, I am not sure that it has much relevance on the level of our
everyday perception, including music!-)

-- Joe

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