The Picture Puzzle Analogy

Over the years, I have been asked hundreds of times essentially this question, "What leads you to believe that you may have unified physics?" I respond with the picture puzzle analogy:

Have you ever put together a picture puzzle? How did you know when the puzzle was done? If you asked me this question, I would say, "Because all of the pieces fit together, there were none left over, and perhaps most importantly, I can see the big picture. It makes sense to me."

Grand Unification Theories

Scientists have been attempting to create theories that unify physics. (Sometimes, they refer to such theories as Grand Unification Theories, or by the acronym, "GUT". Sometimes, they refer to such theories by the less popular title, Theory of Everything) During the history of physics, scientists have completed many areas -- many small chunks -- of a big puzzle, and they have been trying to fit these big parts together -- and fill in the blanks -- in order to see the big picture in physics. But the key part of the puzzle, the part of the puzzle that sits smack dab in the middle, has constantly eluded them. That is the part of the puzzle I have put together. To put it simply, scientists know they have not been able to complete the puzzle. I know I have! I can see the big picture! For me at least, it is beautiful! For me, it is totally compelling. If you have doubts, put them aside.

"A mind once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions."

Unknown

If you enjoy physics and wish to truly understand it, after you have become used to thinking of these ideas:

of time as the standard of motion
that time should be defined to be the fastest known motion
and that elementary particles are made of balls of light

then you will not be able to go back to the old way of thinking about physics.