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The End Of Gravity As a Fundamental Force

Posted by kdawson on from the mccavity's-not-there dept.

An anonymous reader writes "At a symposium at the Dutch Spinoza-instituut on 8 December, 2009, string theorist Erik Verlinde introduced a theory that derives Newton's classical mechanics. In his theory, gravity exists because of a difference in concentration of information in the empty space between two masses and its surroundings. He does not consider gravity as fundamental, but as an emergent phenomenon that arises from a deeper microscopic reality. A relativistic extension of his argument leads directly to Einstein's equations." Here are two blog entries discussing Verlinde's proposal in somewhat more accessible terms.
Update: 01/12 04:48 GMT by KD : Dr. Verlinde has put up a blog post explaining in simpler terms the logic of the gravity from entropy paper. He introduces it with: "Because the logic of the paper is being misrepresented in some reports, I add here some clarifications."

3 of 650 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Stop posting articles from arXiv! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Mod parent up, absolutely correct.

    A fundamental theory of this sort MUST be peer reviewed before it's even worth discussing - lay evaluation is the same as no evaluation in such a specialized topic.

  2. Phenomenon from a deeper microscropic reality... by taxman_10m · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Ah yes, midichlorians. I've heard of this before.

  3. European Achievements in Science and Technology by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic
    This amazing achievement in deriving the laws of classical physics from string theory is more evidence that Europeans are highly capable at scientific investigation and technological breakthroughs. Europeans dominate the winners of the Nobel prize in physics and chemistry. Germans (including Germans of Jewish ancestry) co-invented calculus (with an Brit), invented rocket technology, invented the jet aircraft, discovered the theory of relativity, etc.

    The Japanese have also made astounding breakthroughs in technology. The Japanese invented the blue LED, invented most of the technology in the modern LCD display, developed numerous drugs (approved by the FDA for sale in the USA) treating chronic conditions, etc.

    The notable exception to this smorgasbord of achievement is Africans and Americans of African ancestry. Africans do poorly in comprehending advanced mathematics, which is prerequisite to the work that leads to amazing achievements in science and technology.

    Is the lack of African achievement in science and technology due to the fact that African IQ is about 15 points lower than Japanese IQ?