Editing 2933: Elementary Physics Paths

{{comic
| number    = 2933
| date      = May 15, 2024
| title     = Elementary Physics Paths
| image     = elementary_physics_paths_2x.png
| imagesize = 464x672px
| noexpand  = true
| titletext = ==COSMOLOGY==> 'Uhhh ... how sure are we that everything is made of these?'
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by a VERY NOT SIMPLE PARTICLE - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}
The absurdity of understanding ''everything'' starting from just understanding basic particles is similar to the fallacy presented in [[1570: Engineer Syllogism]]. Quantum physics, as shown in the comic, makes what on first glance are “simple” particles very complicated.

The concepts of {{w|reductionism}} and then {{w|antireductionism}} (or {{w|holism}}) are demonstrated by following the left causal path using a 'traditional' physical approach. Following the right causal path, which looks at things in terms of quantum effects, just leads to the conclusion that it is an intrinsically irreducable problem.

The title text creates an ASCII depiction of the arrows used in the comic image and alludes to the uncertainty that we even know enough about what everything that exists actually is.

==Transcript==
:[Cueball gestures at a particle, represented as a dot with motion lines around it.]
:Cueball: Everything is made of tiny particles. If I understand those, I'll understand everything!
:[The comic splits into two branches.]
:[Condensed Matter Physics branch]
:[Cueball is fretting over a cloud of particles.]
:Cueball: Oh no.
:Cueball: Simple particles can combine to produce complex behaviors.
:[Quantum Field Theory branch]
:[Cueball is fretting over the same particle as in the first panel.]
:Cueball: Oh no.
:Cueball: '''''These particles aren't simple!'''''

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Physics]]
[[Category:Cosmology]]