# Ok, say we got a theory of everything. Now what?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-say-we-got-a-theory-of-everything-now-what/203490
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [September 24, 2003, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-say-we-got-a-theory-of-everything-now-what/203490 "2003-09-24T06:19:36Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@cletus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cletus)
#### Post date: [September 24, 2003, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-say-we-got-a-theory-of-everything-now-what/203490/1 "2003-09-24T06:19:36Z")
Suppose at some time in the near future scientists are finally able to solve that pesky problem of unifying electromagnetism with gravity i.e. the Grand Unified Theory.
Now what do we do with it?
Will this exquisite construct of mathematics and poetry have any real world applications? Will average joe’s everywhere start proclaiming “I don’t know how people managed to do _anything_ without a Theory of Everything!” Will I never need to leave the house again?
I’m not a scientist nor do I know much about science (compared to many posters here). I am just curious as to the effect such a discovery would have on the world.
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### Author:  [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)
#### Post date: [September 24, 2003, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-say-we-got-a-theory-of-everything-now-what/203490/2 "2003-09-24T07:20:16Z")
Win a heckuva lot of horse races?
Optimize composites beyond wood’s strength to weight ratio?
Model contained fusion reactions?
Predict the states of quantum computers?
Accurately anticipate world weather?
Extrapolate the entire earth’s genome?
Spectrally analyse all incoming EMF/RF signals for alien contact?
Synthesize any known chemical compound _en masse_?
Precisely model any building, structure or mechanism beforehand?
Build robots the size of molecules?
Characterize big bang?
Identify the standing wave of human consciousness?\*
_SORRY, I’VE BEEN READING TOO MUCH DAVID BRIN LATELY._
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### Author:  [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)
#### Post date: [September 24, 2003, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-say-we-got-a-theory-of-everything-now-what/203490/3 "2003-09-24T07:35:11Z")
Any Grand Unified Theory will have to take into account quantum effects and the general uncertainty of the Universe as a whole, so most of **Zenster** ’s predictions simply can’t happen: There apparently doesn’t exist any means to accurately know everything about a system, because measuring is an action and all actions add entropy to a system, increasing its information content in a random way. In other words, even a GUT will owe more to Heisenburg than Newton.
What it will help us with is modeling. As far as we can know something, the GUT will give us information about any possible system. Want to know what happens when a ten-kilo ball of ice collides with a 2000-solar mass black hole rotating at 500 rpm? Plug some numbers into the GUT and do the math, and you’ll find out everything you’ll ever be able to find out. In other words, it will do what physics equations always do: Make predictions from given data according to known rules.
In the long run, having a GUT will go a long way towards proving that the Universe is a comprehensible place, and that we possess the tools to comprehend it. Philosophically, that’s as profound as it gets. Having a GUT emblazoned on your t-shirt will be a symbol of humanity’s intelligence and creativity in the face of limited knowledge and limited resources.
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### Author:  [@Shade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shade)
#### Post date: [September 24, 2003, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-say-we-got-a-theory-of-everything-now-what/203490/4 "2003-09-24T08:28:18Z")
Of course, if even if we know the appropriate equations that govern the universe, that doesn’t mean we can _solve_ them. Eg. Imagine three planets moving in a Newtonian universe. We understand this universe perfectly. But can we give a position of planet n at time t? Can we bollocks.
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### Author:  [@Pasta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pasta)
#### Post date: [September 24, 2003, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-say-we-got-a-theory-of-everything-now-what/203490/5 "2003-09-24T12:35:39Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by cletus \*
> \*\*Now what do we do with it?
> \*\*
In short, no one knows yet. Most advances in physics predate their eventual application by years (or decades or centuries). Some examples off the top of my head:
- general relativity --\> GPS satellites
- discovery of the neutron --\> neutron therapy (cancer treatment)
- discovery of x-rays --\> x-rays (medical imaging)
- quantum mechanics --\> semiconductors (your computer)
- quantum mechanics --\> lasers (your CD and DVD player)
- special relativity --\> atomic bombs (not all applications are happy)
- electricity --\> electricity (nearly everything)
Imagine how useless the work of the electromagnetism pioneers must have seemed. So, I don’t think anyone can give you a definite eventual application of any future GUT, but if history is no lie, someone will be clever enough to come up with one eventually – one that would have been impossible without that GUT.
(Also, secondary benefits come from the technological advancements necessary to test new theories. Physics experiments are often the sources of superlatives that industry can take advantage of (most precise widget; most uniform magnetic field; most seismicly isolated table…))
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### Author:  [@CurtC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurtC)
#### Post date: [September 24, 2003, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-say-we-got-a-theory-of-everything-now-what/203490/6 "2003-09-24T12:41:03Z")
It will affect the average Joe. All those physicists that the world is employing right now can be redirected to useful occupations. Physics will then be just a question of doing the calculations.
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### Author:  [@moriah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moriah)
#### Post date: [September 24, 2003, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-say-we-got-a-theory-of-everything-now-what/203490/7 "2003-09-24T13:41:53Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by cletus \*
> \*\*Suppose at some time in the near future scientists are finally able to solve that pesky problem of unifying electromagnetism with gravity i.e. the Grand Unified Theory…
>
> I’m not a scientist nor do I know much about science (compared to many posters here). I am just curious as to the effect such a discovery would have on the world. \*\*
If we were ever to come up with an answer to life, the universe, and everything, then the current universe would wink out of existence only to replaced by an even more inexplicable one.
## Peace.
And thanks for all the fish.
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### Author:  [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)
#### Post date: [September 24, 2003, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-say-we-got-a-theory-of-everything-now-what/203490/8 "2003-09-24T14:18:40Z")
The military will finally be able to stop using those primitive gravity bombs.
Evildoers everywhere will tremble before the awesome power of America’s new GUT bombs!
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### Author:  [@cainxinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cainxinth)
#### Post date: [September 24, 2003, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-say-we-got-a-theory-of-everything-now-what/203490/9 "2003-09-24T14:39:25Z")
Perhaps GUT will be a major stepping-stone on the path to true quantum computation, which has virtually limitless applications. To put it in relative, and probably clichéd by now, terms a quantum computer is theoretically capable of performing calculations that would take a conventional computer (even one several factors faster than current ones) longer than the predicted life of the universe to solve. The things that **Zenster** pointed out are just a few examples of massively complex interactions that could be modeled.
We keep building bigger and faster computers to tackle bigger and tougher problems and with a quantum computer we’ll have, dare I say it, the final computer… until they invent the final computer mark II, in which case your model will instantly be worth no more than 30 bucks on ebay.
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### Author:  [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)
#### Post date: [September 24, 2003, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-say-we-got-a-theory-of-everything-now-what/203490/10 "2003-09-24T15:13:55Z")
A quantum computer with finite precision arithmetic has a universal application in modelling very complex systems: it can produce wrong answers _very quickly_.
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### Author:  [@cainxinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cainxinth)
#### Post date: [September 24, 2003, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-say-we-got-a-theory-of-everything-now-what/203490/11 "2003-09-24T16:14:19Z")
well there goes my answer… 🙂
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### Author:  [@MC\_Master\_of\_Ceremonies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MC_Master_of_Ceremonies)
#### Post date: [September 24, 2003, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-say-we-got-a-theory-of-everything-now-what/203490/12 "2003-09-24T16:21:43Z")
Actually a GUT is not the same a TOE: a GUT would unite the standard model (quantum chromodynamics and the elctroweak theory) into a single theory and thus explain strong, weak and electromagnetic interactions but not gravity whereas a TOE would expalin gravity as well.
If string theory is a good indication of what a TOE would be like then physicists would have to spend a long time just working out how to understand it.
The problem with quantum computers is that due to the collapse of the wavefunction they perform most operations at classical speeds so I don’t know if they would be useful in all fields of data.
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### Author:  [@cletus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cletus)
#### Post date: [September 24, 2003, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-say-we-got-a-theory-of-everything-now-what/203490/13 "2003-09-24T16:40:55Z")
It seemed to me that the TOE was always portrayed as the pinnacle of human civilization. I mean, they even call it the theory of **Everything**. I was wondering what all the brouhaha was about.
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by moriah \*
> **If we were ever to come up with an answer to life, the universe, and everything, then the current universe would wink out of existence only to replaced by an even more inexplicable one.**
We’ll have the nine million names of God eventually. Once we do… :eek:
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by MC Master of Ceremonies \*
> **Actually a GUT is not the same a TOE: a GUT would unite the standard model (quantum chromodynamics and the elctroweak theory) into a single theory and thus explain strong, weak and electromagnetic interactions but not gravity whereas a TOE would expalin gravity as well.**
Thanks for pointing this out. I always wondered why there was two names for apparently the same thing. Now I know the GUT only refers to 3 of the 4 forces. Like I said, I’m not a big sciguy.
PS **Zenster** , you must be a very fun person to hang out with IRL. 😃
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### Author:  [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)
#### Post date: [September 24, 2003, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-say-we-got-a-theory-of-everything-now-what/203490/14 "2003-09-24T16:51:57Z")
Nine _billion_ names, **Cletus**. _Geez_ I’m anal today!
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### Author:  [@MonkeyMensch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMensch)
#### Post date: [September 24, 2003, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-say-we-got-a-theory-of-everything-now-what/203490/15 "2003-09-24T17:56:53Z")
It seems like I’ve heard this question before. I’d say it was about 300 years ago when I was an undergrad. 😉
But **Derleth** , isn’t any predictive power of a theory limited by the accuracy of the information plugged into it? If you don’t have perfect information of starting conditions then no TOE or GUT is going to help.
Personally, I think the universe is a simulation program of the universe being run by some pan-dimensional being named Benjy.😉
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### Author:  [@alimarx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alimarx)
#### Post date: [September 24, 2003, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-say-we-got-a-theory-of-everything-now-what/203490/16 "2003-09-24T18:49:38Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Squink \*
> \*\*The military will finally be able to stop using those primitive gravity bombs.
> Evildoers everywhere will tremble before the awesome power of America’s new GUT bombs! \*\*
Don’t the Mexicans have this already? At least, that’s what their food does to me…
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### Author:  [@Skeptico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skeptico)
#### Post date: [September 24, 2003, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-say-we-got-a-theory-of-everything-now-what/203490/17 "2003-09-24T18:59:05Z")
_Cletus said_
> [@](#):
>
> Will average joe’s everywhere start proclaiming “I don’t know how people managed to do anything without a Theory of Everything!”
To paraphrase Feynman, without a TOE, humanity is nothing but a little kid trying to play chess WITHOUT knowing all the rules.
And sitting across the table is Mother Nature, a level 10,000+ Intergalactic Grand Master.
Obtaining a TOE would merely be the beginning of our journey.
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### Author:  [@bryanmcc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bryanmcc)
#### Post date: [September 24, 2003, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-say-we-got-a-theory-of-everything-now-what/203490/18 "2003-09-24T21:22:16Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by moriah \*
> **If we were ever to come up with an answer to life, the universe, and everything, then the current universe would wink out of existence only to replaced by an even more inexplicable one.**
There is, of course, speculation that this has already happened.
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### Author:  [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)
#### Post date: [September 25, 2003, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-say-we-got-a-theory-of-everything-now-what/203490/19 "2003-09-25T01:53:44Z")
Room temperature superconductors?
Artificial gravity generators?
With AGGs, not only could you make a spacecraft with artificial gravity, you could also have inertial compensation, and possibly a rudimentary warp drive!
Just as one can induce a magnetic field using electric current, and vice versa, maybe we can discover how to create a gravitic field with electromagnetism.
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### Author:  [@cletus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cletus)
#### Post date: [September 25, 2003, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-say-we-got-a-theory-of-everything-now-what/203490/20 "2003-09-25T03:13:10Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by F. U. Shakespeare \*
> **Nine _billion_ names, Cletus.**
I guess that would make more sense. :smack:
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