The article and accompanying ‘explanatory material’ is a good example why most people are turned off by higher level mathematics. For those who studied A through Y, Z seems natural enough, but for those who only studied say A through D which is sufficient to perform routine calculations, advanced graduate level (lie) group theory looks like so much mental masturbation. Few topics exponentially aquire arcane buzzwords faster than the obscure corners of mathematics, and makes a good topic to ‘baffle em with bullshit’.
> Few topics exponentially aquire arcane buzzwords faster than the obscure corners of mathematics, and makes a good topic to ‘baffle em with bullshit’.
I believe that it is in almost all cases intentional, and guilty knowledge that you can push all the symbols around on a page that you like without ever having to have a physical tie to reality.
Mathematicians have taken over and destroyed the field of physics.
You make a good point. But I don't think it is that hairy at the undergraduate level. Usually the last math course most people take as undergrads would be differential equations, which sort of tops out the applied calculus sequence. Unfortunately, that is just a hair short of the "cool" stuff.
It is a shame that the calculus sequence is not followed by a semester or two in "abstract algebra" (or "modern algebra" if you prefer). That should be sufficient background to follow these developments in physics, the same way an ordinary chess fan can follow and appreciate the game of a grand master.
For the contemporary world such a course is really invaluable and touches not only on the theoretical but also solidly practical applications like cryptography as well. And a lot of folks find it easier and a breath of fresh air after slogging through the calculus long march.
Many here never made it past A ... let alone to the esoteric heights of D ...
“turned off”
Historically, in terms of development, it seems that math precedes physics, and physics precedes engineering. In a nutshell, it’s coming up with the ability to model something effectively.
As the pointy-heads play their games, they will eventually come up with something practical. Discovery and invention is not a linear progression.