I can predict mathematically exactly what electromagnetic waves look like, but I cannot predict the detection of a single quantum or photon event, except statistically.

So is it that math breaks down in those cases or is it that we just do not know that math yet.

If it's just a lack of known math, then math does rule the universe. But as far as we now know, there may be non-math elements at work in going from waves to physical interactive processes.

For a cosmic example, consider the Viliken theory that our universe came from a quantum fluctuation. That is not a wave theory, but is an interaction theory, and the above considerations apply right at the initial creation of the big bang, assuming of course that Viliken is correct. So there could be a non-math element that gets the ball rolling.

A universe ruled by math is quite likely, but not yet a certainty.

• Waves are visible (light) hearable (sound), tangible, etc. - alexander - October 24, 2001 - 17:17 UTC
  • I disagree - yanniru - October 25, 2001 - 15:04 UTC
    • Alex is quite correct! - doctordick - October 25, 2001 - 17:23 UTC
      • Maxwell's equations - yanniru - October 26, 2001 - 15:07 UTC
        • So, what is the EXACT POSITION of infinite e/m wave? (nt) - alexander - October 26, 2001 - 17:24 UTC
          • The position of the entire wavetrain - yanniru - October 26, 2001 - 20:53 UTC
            • Not a phase but a position. - alexander - November 5, 2001 - 11:07 UTC
              • Beat's me since photon does not exist - yanniru - November 5, 2001 - 15:23 UTC
• Maybe it's semantic - luis_hamburgh - October 24, 2001 - 22:58 UTC
  • Math is not a language - it tells universe how to behave. - alexander - October 26, 2001 - 03:19 UTC