WOW!
Its seems as if a Spark has come up with a Total Theory of Everything based on the E8 simple Lie algebra root system. Gravity, strong nuclear force, weak nuclear force plus electromagnetism (electroweak) now can be mapped onto a diagram of unimaginable complexity.
This diagram or structure is the Everest of the math world: long thought insoluble, new breakthroughs in computer science allowed a dedicated team of 18 mathematicians around the world, working for years, to map out E8. This structure has 248 dimensions. It occupies a matrix of 453060 x 453060 values. If written out on paper, the equation describing it would cover the island of Manhattan. See the news release from MIT here.
I honestly do not understand even the basics of the concept.
What is interesting is that a small part of this diagrams seemed to describe or map onto certain parts of the subatomic particle bestiary investigated by modern physics. Particles were correctly predicted to exist merely because of gaps in the diagram that appeared when the number values for certain particles were mapped onto a small part of this E8 diagram.
Well, now that the whole of the E8 diagram has been defined by this team of mathematicians and their flotilla of computers, a Spark named Garrett Lisi has pointed out more symmetries and relationships that exist between other fundamental particles and forces and other parts of this 248-dimensional object.
Ladies and Gents, this is the stuff science fiction is made of. What if Lisi is correct? What if the reconciliation of quantum mechanics and special relativity just took place? What if this diagram actually holds the key to the fundamental way the physical constants of the universe are put together?
About John C Wright
John C. Wright is a practicing philosopher, a retired attorney, newspaperman, and newspaper editor, and a published author of science fiction. Once a Houyhnhnm, he was expelled from the august ranks of purely rational beings when he fell in love; but retains an honorary title.
