Electric arguments

Brian Koberlein, the physicist with a most amazing humility and clarity in his expositions, at this link to his website  examines the claims of an alternate model which apparently is popular among some quite intelligent folk.

I post this because it made me think about the kind of minds that would originate a theory like the Electric Universe. A hallmark to me, in this EU alternative to the picture painted by modern physics, is that it seems to be based on a view of the mind which says I can understand everything and complexity is obfuscation. On the one hand this is an admirable approch, and explains the progress of modern science: the human mind is capable of comprehending the world of which it is a part. The implication that the measure of the world is the measure of my own mind, however, means we may see a collapses into egoism. Of course it is comforting to think that the ordinary binary mind is the best measurer of our world. Scientists, kooks, and EU proponents all crave this plank. But the ability to teeter on the plank of rational thought, to reach higher, see farther, to risk even, falling off the plank, adds bravery to the mix of what it takes to apprehend an edge between knowledge and mystery, along with a determination to press on, regardless of consequences, The fine minds have this to some degree.  Koberlein, in listening to an alternate theory, is a good example.

My notes here, towards what may be called an anthropology of the human mind, point toward a love of complexity as a distinguishing factor for true pioneers. I suspect, and wonder, if mathematicians might not fall into this category. I know it is a broader category than even scientists imagine.