I've remarked several times that I think condensed matter physics gets slighted in public discussions of the field, especially relative to its usefulness. Particle physics gets all sorts of press, but in practical terms, it is essentially useless-- whether CERN or Fermilab locate the Higgs boson or not will make absolutely no difference in the lives of the average person. Condensed matter physics, on the other hand gets basically no press, despite the fact that modern technological civilization would be impossible without an understanding of condensed matter physics.
Aether model of AWT may connect condensed matter physics with particle physics seamlessly.
ReplyDeleteEd Witten (2004): "One thing I can tell you, though, is that most string theorist’s suspect that spacetime is a emergent Phenomena in the language of condensed matter physics".
http://online.kitp.ucsb.edu/online/kitp25/witten
In addition, many modern particle physics concepts such as symmetry breaking and the quantum vacuum, were developed first in condensed matter.
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