I wrote this around the time it was debunked (since then, a thorough debunking, somewhat rough for Garrett, popped up: http://motls.blogspot.com/2007/11/exceptionally-simple-theory-of.html)Â –
“Did lisi have a wipeout”?. Â I still think, even if E8 isn’t the answer, it’s more elegant and pokes holes in the complexity and precarious slippery slope of “trying to prove” superstring, versus following the data. Â At this point, there’s enough career long self interest and groupthink to ignore alternative explanations. That E8 Petrie Diagram is fantastic…. an elegant, simple, symmetrical answer. Â Except it’s probably not……
His stuff was awesome —> Â http://www.edternet.com/
bummed me out dude. Â super surfer self taught zen physics warrior is a nice title, but only if it works. Â He’s like that TED talk guy that lied about immortality.. De Gray. A dreamer using scientific notions to sound cool, but he never has done anything, or really shown any results ever. Â That’s when I started being skeptical of TED talks as nothing more than fun. Â A lot of people are suggesting Lisi is speaking in the same manner…. the surfer riding his fame wave until he’s outright debunked (or just moving past admitting he was debunked)…..
I agree with this Harvard Biz Review of Ted:Â http://blogs.hbr.org/
“Let’s save great ideas from the idea industry”
There’s been a lot of talk that TED conferences are oversold and nothing but entertainment……..
This is a bit easier:
TED glorifies “smart” style people, but drag down intellectuals. Â You can’t solve the worlds problems with gimmicks.
I had said this a few weeks ago, but honestly, I am starting to think it’s just entertainment totally….
I think this is a horse before the cart. Â TED is simply an entertaining way to highlight people’s work, research, etc and provide one or two anecdotes to stimulate the crowd’s brains. Â I agree with your post, but as TED hasn’t “solved” one thing…. it’s just that TED gives a platform to people doing interesting, important work. Â The TED talk itself is just anecdotal, and not the actual idea or work. It’s just a narrative of it.