Theory of everything

{{Physics}}
A '''theory of everything''' (or the '''Unified Field Theory''') is a scientific theory that would successfully model everything we know about [[physics]]. It would describe the [[Gravity|gravitational]], the weak nuclear, the strong nuclear and the [[Electromagnetism|electromagnetic]] forces in a single unifying framework.<ref>See ''A Brief History of Time'' by [[Stephen Hawking]]. Ch 10.</ref> The scientific consensus uses a separate model for gravity than the one used for the other forces; a theory of everything would bridge the gap between these and put everything under the same model. As things now stand, [[general relativity]] offers the best description of gravitational interactions while [[quantum mechanics]] addresses the remaining ones in the [[Standard Model]] of particle physics, which already accounts for special relativity. Hence, formulating a theory of everything is typically synonymous with unifying general relativity with quantum mechanics. Such a theory would, if it exists, explain everything about physics as we know it.

A proper theory of everything has not yet been developed, but some of the smartest people around the globe are working to get us closer to one. Then, there are the cranks working in the opposite direction...

Such a "theory of everything" differs from the so-called "[[Grand Unified Theory|Grand Unified Theories]]", which exist but do not include [[gravity]] and do not agree with experimental data.

==Proposed theories==
There is no current Unified Field Theory accepted by mainstream science, but many have taken a crack at it.<ref>[https://www.quantamagazine.org/theories-of-everything-mapped-20150803/ Theories of Everything Mapped], Quanta Magazine</ref> Probably the most famous example of this is [[string theory]], which is not without controversy in the field. This theory describes particles as one-dimensional "strings" that vibrate.

Meanwhile, some have argued that a theory of everything will never be discovered at all, and may be impossible to develop in the first place.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20200529232552/http://www.hawking.org.uk/godel-and-the-end-of-physics.html Gödel and the End of the Universe]. Hawking, Stephen, via Wayback Machine</ref>

==Cranks==
Theories of everything are popular with [[cranks]] and crackpots, often to ridiculous failure.<ref>[http://theconversation.com/why-is-einsteins-general-relativity-such-a-popular-target-for-cranks-49661 Why is Einstein's general relativity such a popular target for cranks?], The Conversation, Nov 23, 2015</ref> There are numerous {{wpl|List of unsolved problems in physics|open questions in physics}}, and questions about the fundamental nature of reality we want to answer. These gaps in knowledge attract cranks, despite the frequent lack of understanding about the surrounding knowledge that creates the gap in the first place. Physicist Angela Collier argues the draw comes from a desire to feel important and special within the field of physics, and feelings of inadequacy and frustration causing a rejection of mainstream physics theories.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11lPhMSulSU physics crackpots: a 'theory'] by Angela Collier</ref> As a result, some cranks will create elaborate, incoherent explanations for things like dark matter and wild gestures at quantum gravity that don't demonstrate serious understanding. 

Such theories can range from incomplete attempts to do actual physics to absolutely off-the-wall nuttiness. One is [[Wronger than wrong|technically worse]], but at the end of the day, they're all crap. The crackpots can dress up their broken ideas with strange metaphors and evocative language, and even inject a few equations in there, but they can't hide the void at the center of their theories: they don't know what they're talking about.

Some examples of crank theories of everything include:
* [[Rupert Sheldrake]]'s morphic resonance
* [[Eric Weinstein]]'s Geometric Unity
* Dewey Larson's [[Reciprocal Theory]]
* The [[Electric Universe]] theory
* [[Gene Ray]]'s [[Time Cube]]<ref group="note">An edge case; the Time Cube is mostly focused just on the structure of time, and it's also so batshit that it's hard to even call it a theory.</ref>
* [[Wilhelm Reich]]'s [[orgone]] theory<ref group="note">Also an edge case, since orgone is essentially a form of [[vitalism]], but it was granted the explanatory power of a theory of everything in a lot of cases.</ref>
* [[Christopher Langan]]'s Cognitive-Theoretic Model of the Universe<ref group="note">Edge case; Langan calls it a theory of everything but also seems not to know that a unified field theory would actually entail.</ref>
* Whatever the hell this is?<ref group="note">Edge— oh, who the hell are we kidding? [[Not even wrong|Where do you even ''start''?]]</ref> [[File:Body-Mind-SOUL--Matter-Energy-SPIRIT.png|thumb|Body-Mind-SOUL--Matter-Energy-SPIRIT|none|via Wikimedia]]

== See also ==
*[[Grand Unified Theory]]
*[[String theory]] (one candidate for such a theory which is not without controversy)
*[[Quantum gravity]]
*[[Theory of evolution]]

==Notes==
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==References==
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[[Category:Physics]]
[[Category:Time]]
[[Category:Pseudophysics]]

Categories: Physics, Time, Pseudophysics