I would guess it refers to the fact that we used to think atoms were the smallest things, and then we found protons, neutrons, and electrons. then we thought those were the smallest things until we found quarks and gluons. and maybe some day we’ll find out that there’s something smaller inside quarks
idk if you can get smaller than vibrations in a field. At least not without a different conceptual model. But I guess that’s always been the problem anyway
I’m no physicist, but afaik particle/wave duality was already a thing before quantum. So we were already representing the world as waves aka frequencies aka vibrations. But then we discovered that those waves were composed of smaller waves. The rabbit hole can go on ad infinitum, as we zoom in to these waves trying to figure out the equations behind them, but we keep finding more complexity, like a fractal.
and maybe some day we’ll find out that there’s something smaller inside quarks
I don’t think particle physicists in 2026 wake up in a cold sweat worried about preons. We are still taking measurements, but I don’t think theoreticians have any reason to invoke it – and IIRC its predictions have been outright contradicted experimentally.
I saw it as to see smaller and smaller you need higher energy photons. To get down to the planck length the smallest possible size the amount of energy you need to resolve that creates black holes
I would guess it refers to the fact that we used to think atoms were the smallest things, and then we found protons, neutrons, and electrons. then we thought those were the smallest things until we found quarks and gluons. and maybe some day we’ll find out that there’s something smaller inside quarks
Nogs
And Moogies
Are they made of Roms?
idk if you can get smaller than vibrations in a field. At least not without a different conceptual model. But I guess that’s always been the problem anyway
guy who loves string theory: inhales
I’m no physicist, but afaik particle/wave duality was already a thing before quantum. So we were already representing the world as waves aka frequencies aka vibrations. But then we discovered that those waves were composed of smaller waves. The rabbit hole can go on ad infinitum, as we zoom in to these waves trying to figure out the equations behind them, but we keep finding more complexity, like a fractal.
That’s probably it.
I don’t think particle physicists in 2026 wake up in a cold sweat worried about preons. We are still taking measurements, but I don’t think theoreticians have any reason to invoke it – and IIRC its predictions have been outright contradicted experimentally.
I saw it as to see smaller and smaller you need higher energy photons. To get down to the planck length the smallest possible size the amount of energy you need to resolve that creates black holes
Well, a little tiny black hole should be fine. It’ll just evaporate. Stop picketing my lab.
electrons appear smooth still but I think quarks appear to have some structure to them… so yeah maybe more dolls still