Physics Representations

Physics modeling began with the instinct that is now attributed to Plato: that there's a realm of ideal forms and that reality is a shadowy projection that can be described by these forms.

The history of physics since then can be seen as a sequence of representational upgrades:

1. Geometry

Pythagorus/Euclid finding expressions for physical reality by tessellating it with geometries and numbers.

2. Universal Law

An especially productive period in the 16th century, when we confirmed that both the planet and the apple are subject to the same law, the same force.

3. Continuum

In the 19th century, we received another representational upgrade, being able to describe a lot continuum physical phenomenon with values of a function over spacetime.

4. Symmetries & Invariants

In the 20th century, taking an even more abstract view, with symmetries & invariances as a starting point, physics led to mind bending discoveries such as those of Einstein.

5. Neural Abstractions

The fundamental epistemic unit is now shifting, as we move through the cusp of the neural age.