Decius wrote:

Is it possible that this could become the Grand Unified Theory we are all looking forward to?

Seems not:

The problem is that Lisi has ignored much of physics, where he adds normal numbers to vectors and other similar no-nos (imagine adding a speed to an energy and you have got exactly what Lisi has done). He has found that the chosen symmetry operations correspond to the symmetry groups of particles—not that surprising, considering the number of symmetry operations he has at his disposal—but he hasn't checked to see if the masses come out as found experimentally because he can't; once you put nonsense into a model, the only thing that comes out is nonsense.

(Just tying the threads together)

possibly noteworthy wrote:
Decius wrote:

Is it possible that this could become the Grand Unified Theory we are all looking forward to?

Seems not:

The problem is that Lisi has ignored much of physics, where he adds normal numbers to vectors and other similar no-nos (imagine adding a speed to an energy and you have got exactly what Lisi has done). He has found that the chosen symmetry operations correspond to the symmetry groups of particles—not that surprising, considering the number of symmetry operations he has at his disposal—but he hasn't checked to see if the masses come out as found experimentally because he can't; once you put nonsense into a model, the only thing that comes out is nonsense.

(Just tying the threads together)

[ Incidentally, since this Ars story was memed by P.N. in response, the author has somewhat softened and nuanced his stance. It had apparently been based primarily upon the vehement fumings of a single possibly disreputable, and certainly biased, detractor.

The comments to the story trace this process. -k]

Cute design. It reminds me of the Spirograph I played with during my childhood. Yep, I was designing multi-dimensional universes back before it was cool. ;)