Out With The Old

The development of modern quantum physics has followed a pattern in which the general properties of a new theory are developed in classical terms and then quantized. This has proven successful and has led to the standard model of physics, but the ability to ‘quantize later’ seems to be losing its effectiveness. The reason this method has worked has been because the quantum effects being studied have been of such a scale that the classical notions of space and time apply. Despite the fact that we believe the ‘quantum’ to be fundamental, we have found it permissible to treat it as a secondary condition. However, the scales brought into question by theories of quantum gravity suggest a quantization of spacetime itself, completely invalidating the easier classical framework within which physicists prefer to begin the formulations of their theories. We now must treat the quantum as fundamentally as we attribute it to be. We can no longer begin with classical notions; they do not apply to such a realm of study. We must begin with the quantum and hold it as true throughout the development process. No one yet has a proven method by which to do this.

By downplaying the fundamental nature of quantum effects at the base level of theoretical development, we may in fact be robbing ourselves of insights which would guide our efforts. The current difficulty with the ever-popular string theory is there is a recognized need for a full departure from classical physics, but as has been the tried and true developmental method for modern theory, string theorists began with a classical framework upon which they hope to ‘tack on’ the new insights developed within the theory.

What we need is new insight and fresh perspective. New fundamental symmetries may only become apparent when considering a fundamentally quantum framework of existence. All of these considerations require that we stop treating the old framework as if it were still valid. Physicists wish to overthrow the greatest theories of the twentieth century, yet they work in a context consistent with that of Newtonian mechanics. What we need is a new, modernized framework. By using successful modern developments as our starting point, we will avoid a method of science in which we ignore the developments of the twentieth century and will perhaps finally be able to see further than we have seen in the past.