Gerard 't Hooft knows a thing or two about being a GOOD theoretical physicist. But I do have one general complaint about what he is saying. It is apparently common for people, especially ex-physicists like myself, to think they have figured it out (whatever "it" is). In reality, they just forgot (or never knew) enough to realize how bad their idea is. He pretty much agrees with this and his solution is for people to learn it all. In _general_ I don't think it's fair to say you have to be an expert to contribute. We wouldn't make any progress if nobody was allowed to make a suggestion unless they were an expert. This would pretty much silence me (in things not related physics, such as software, or if I was so inclined, in physics too).
Now, I am being a little unfair. I think it is great what he is doing. AND, if anyone does think they have solved the secrets of the universe, don't take it to one of the top physicists in the world before checking it out a little more humbly.
But in any oher case, just throw caution to the wind and don't worry if you don't know everything.
I had a professor who was fond of saying "you have to jump in and do it" ("it" being whatever calculation, or problem, or whatever)
If you are timid and stay on the sidelines, you will never do anything. Of course in physics there is the small further problem where you are up against the smartest people who have ever lived, ...sans the math folk... and double points if you have been jailed in France, doing math during a war, or similar. eh... Really though, can't we all contribute if we work hard enough?
He pretty much agrees with this and his solution is for people to learn it all.
I thought 't Hooft was saying you have to learn all of this stuff. But it sounds like you're saying you can do good work in physics without some of this information. Is that true? What can you dispense with?
No. I wasn't trying to say that. He is right that there is a lot to know to make any contribution to physics. I was trying to make a more general comment that people shouldn't be afraid to try something even if they don't know all the background. Make mistakes and learn as you go. That applies more to "easy" things like software.
Now, I am being a little unfair. I think it is great what he is doing. AND, if anyone does think they have solved the secrets of the universe, don't take it to one of the top physicists in the world before checking it out a little more humbly.
But in any oher case, just throw caution to the wind and don't worry if you don't know everything.