Studying Negative Computer Models (Humans)

by xeno6696 , Sonoran Desert, Monday, August 01, 2011, 03:13 (4662 days ago)


> > Why this experiment is significant, is that they were able to create stable universes missing an entire force. Now, could life REALLY exist there? That's a much harder question. Radioactive elements are required for life here-->our geology is just one of many factors assisting us. But these universes created the known elements of life, so the potential is at least there.
> 
> In part that is my point. Even if there was a glimmer of hope that life might exist in a universe missing one of our forces, what does that prove? we still have lots to learn about this universe. How does working from the negative help?-The only thing I can tell you that would probably make any sense is that it provides stress-tests. It gives us entirely new perspectives on the laws of physics and why they're important. The weak force is important to allow heavy elements to form. However, it is NOT important to the functioning of chemistry. Those models kept the same rules for chemistry that we have now, and nothing abnormal appeared. (Or didn't appear.)-If we tweak some values, what kinds of anomalous things appear? Can we observe them in our own universe? are those parameters the only things involved? -As for the utility of studying negative models... I guess if you don't agree with the idea of studying anomalies and outliers I can't really make a convincing case for you. For me, I won't rest with an incomplete picture. And I don't think our Universe provides us with that.

--
\"Why is it, Master, that ascetics fight with ascetics?\"

\"It is, brahmin, because of attachment to views, adherence to views, fixation on views, addiction to views, obsession with views, holding firmly to views that ascetics fight with ascetics.\"