5 ms·

"The experimentalists work is often portrayed as 'dull and technical' and they only worry about the details, whereas the theorist dreams up these wild theories

"The experimentalists work is often portrayed as 'dull and technical' and they only worry about the details, whereas the theorist dreams up these wild theories in flights of genius. I can't speak for anyone else, but this was true of school where I was from." Woah woah woah. You trying to start a theory/experiment fight? I'll just put in my 2 cents. Experiments are where all the cool action is at. Also, scoreboard: Nobel prize distribution (as of 2014). Theory: 30.75 prizes (28.7%) Experiment: 76.25 prizes (71.3%)

kitchi 10y ago
> Woah woah woah. You trying to start a theory/experiment fight? Hahaha no. I'm an observational astronomer - Everyone hates us! I definitely fall on the experiment side of the argument. > Nobel prize distribution (as of 2014). Theory: 30.75 prizes (28.7%) Experiment: 76.25 prizes (71.3%) I didn't know that, that's pretty neat. Although I was talking more about how the perception is in the general science community (starting from high school onwards). Again, I can't say how true it is outside of where I live, because I haven't travelled much. But it definitely is true here from my experience.
frozenport 10y ago
There are much fewer theorists compared to experimentalists.
- eanzenberg 10y ago
  That's surprising if true because it doesn't take much resources to become a theorist vs. an experimentalist. Usually a modern computer will do. An experimentalist is usually out >$1e6 to setup a novel lab.
  - Koshkin 10y ago
    I, too, have a feeling that in the 21st century theoretical physics (understood as mathematical, or computational, physics) is destined to replace experimental physics in all areas - except those that do not yet have an effective mathematical model to work with. (I do not know if String Theory can qualify as such.)
  - frozenport 10y ago
    An experimentalism promises results while a theorist promises commentary. In terms of funding, typically a large sum is awarded for equipment and students, and the 1M is never given to theorists.
jschwartzi 10y ago
They don't typically give the Nobel for theory. For example, Einstein is best known for Relativity but his Nobel is actually for his experimental work on Brownian Motion.
- michael_nielsen 10y ago
  (1) Einstein's Nobel citation specifically mentions his work on the photoelectric effect, not his work on Brownian motion; (2) his work on Brownian motion was theoretical, not experimental; (3) there have been many Nobels for theoretical work --- all three of the 2016 Laureates, and both the 2013 Laureates, to pick some recent examples.
  - jschwartzi 10y ago
    Thank you. I meant to say Photoelectric Effect. I misremembered.
sidlls 10y ago
That's probably about right, if a little too lopsided toward theory. Physics is empirical. We need hypotheses to test, but we should emphasize "test."

kitchi 10y ago

> Woah woah woah. You trying to start a theory/experiment fight? Hahaha no. I'm an observational astronomer - Everyone hates us! I definitely fall on the experiment side of the argument. > Nobel prize distribution (as of 2014). Theory: 30.75 prizes (28.7%) Experiment: 76.25 prizes (71.3%) I didn't know that, that's pretty neat. Although I was talking more about how the perception is in the general science community (starting from high school onwards). Again, I can't say how true it is outside of where I live, because I haven't travelled much. But it definitely is true here from my experience.

frozenport 10y ago

There are much fewer theorists compared to experimentalists.

eanzenberg 10y ago
That's surprising if true because it doesn't take much resources to become a theorist vs. an experimentalist. Usually a modern computer will do. An experimentalist is usually out >$1e6 to setup a novel lab.
- Koshkin 10y ago
  I, too, have a feeling that in the 21st century theoretical physics (understood as mathematical, or computational, physics) is destined to replace experimental physics in all areas - except those that do not yet have an effective mathematical model to work with. (I do not know if String Theory can qualify as such.)
- frozenport 10y ago
  An experimentalism promises results while a theorist promises commentary. In terms of funding, typically a large sum is awarded for equipment and students, and the 1M is never given to theorists.

jschwartzi 10y ago

They don't typically give the Nobel for theory. For example, Einstein is best known for Relativity but his Nobel is actually for his experimental work on Brownian Motion.

michael_nielsen 10y ago
(1) Einstein's Nobel citation specifically mentions his work on the photoelectric effect, not his work on Brownian motion; (2) his work on Brownian motion was theoretical, not experimental; (3) there have been many Nobels for theoretical work --- all three of the 2016 Laureates, and both the 2013 Laureates, to pick some recent examples.
- jschwartzi 10y ago
  Thank you. I meant to say Photoelectric Effect. I misremembered.

sidlls 10y ago

That's probably about right, if a little too lopsided toward theory. Physics is empirical. We need hypotheses to test, but we should emphasize "test."