yego.me
💡 Stop wasting time. Read Youtube instead of watch. Download Chrome Extension

We Can’t Prove Most Theorems with Known Physics


2m read
·Nov 3, 2024

Processing might take a few minutes. Refresh later.

The overwhelming majority of theorems in mathematics are theorems that we cannot possibly prove. This is Girdle's theorem, and it also comes out of Turing's proof of what is and is not computable. These things that are not computable vastly outnumber the things that are computable, and what is computable depends entirely upon what computers we can make in this physical universe.

The computers that we can make must obey our laws of physics. If the laws of physics were different, then we'd be able to prove different sorts of mathematics. This is another part of the mathematician's misconception: they think they can get outside of the laws of physics. However, their brain is just a physical computer. Their brain must obey the laws of physics.

If they existed in a universe with different laws of physics, then they could prove different theorems. But we exist in the universe that we're in, and so we're bound by a whole bunch of things, not least of which is the finite speed of light. So there could be certain things out there in abstract space which we would be able to come to a more full understanding of if we could get outside of the restrictions of the laws of physics here.

Happily, none of those theorems that we cannot prove at the moment are inherently interesting. Some things can be inherently boring; namely, all of these theorems which we cannot possibly prove as true or false. Those theorems can't have any bearing in our physical universe. They have nothing to do with our physical universe, and this is why we say they're inherently uninteresting. There's a lot of inherently uninteresting things...

More Articles

View All
Imploding Drum
Today I’m at the University of Sydney with Dr. Phil, and we’re talking about the pressure that all of us are under. You are under a lot of pressure, probably 10,000 kg. 10,000 kg is pressing in on my whole body, all from all sides. Where does all this pre…
Safari Live - Day 356 | National Geographic
This program features live coverage of an African safari and may include animal kills and carcasses. Viewer discretion is advised. A very good afternoon to you all! Welcome to the sunset safari of today. My name is Lauren and on camera I do have Senzo th…
Analyzing mistakes when finding extrema (example 1) | AP Calculus AB | Khan Academy
Pamela was asked to find where ( h(x) = x^3 - 6x^2 + 12x ) has a relative extremum. This is her solution. So, step one, it looks like she tried to take the derivative. Step two, she tries to find the solution to find where the derivative is equal to zero…
Ratios and double number lines
We’re told the double number line shows that five pounds of avocados cost nine dollars. So, what is going on here with this double number line? This shows how, as we increase the number of avocados, how the cost increases. For example, when we have zero …
15 Ways To ADOPT a RICH MINDSET
Becoming rich is not just about getting a new job, moving to another city, or investing in tech and cryptocurrency. But becoming wealthy requires more than a change in financial habits; it also requires a change in mindset. If your mind isn’t geared towar…
Hunting for Deer | Life Below Zero
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Yeah, you can see that, uh, something just came down through here. All this lichen’s all rubbed off. Could be, probably more than likely an old slide, maybe a bear come down through here. Never know. Not seeing any tracks or signs. So I don’t …