Rugby league and quantum physics are both complex and mysterious, and after a lifetime spent studying both I have come to the conclusion I’ll never fully understand either.
It’s a well known fact that rugby league isn’t rocket science, but there are startling similarities between quantum physics and rugby league.
Quantum physics is humans trying to simply explain nature at its most basic level, while rugby league is simply human nature at its most basic level.
There are many links between the two fields. In 2011, the Higgs particle was experimentally confirmed, and just a few months later Ray Higgs was confirmed in the Parramatta Hall of Fame. Surely this was no coincidence.
Quantum physics tells us that fundamental particles can only exist in certain states. This is very similar to how rugby league can only exist in certain states.
Until recently, the Standard Model of Physics contained 16 elementary particles. With the addition of the Higgs there are now 17. This is the main reason the Dolphins have been added to the competition.
Just like the universe itself, the Australian rugby league universe was once concentrated in one small place, but is expanding even as we speak.
Whether you are talking rugby league or quantum physics, I think everyone agrees that the role of the observer is critical.
Schrodinger’s wave function tells us that every pass is both backward and forward until it is observed by the referee. At this point the wave function collapses. In much the same way we don’t really notice a scrum until it collapses.
Every time you disagree with a referee’s decision you are simply restating the relativistic assertion that different observers cannot agree with each other’s account of events. Therefore the answer to “Was the kicker tackled late?” depends entirely upon your frame of reference.
The most pre-eminent scientists are each year awarded the Nobel prize by the King of Sweden. Why do we not have something similar in rugby league?
Although I have never been able to bring myself to watch it, I’m told that annually the game holds an elaborate ceremony to hand out the Messenger Medals for the best player in each position.
But why aren’t we rewarding the game’s greatest thinkers. During the after match grand final presentations each year I’d like the former player who has made the greatest intellectual contribution to the game be awarded the Gould Prize by King Wally Lewis.
The leading thinkers in each field have always been eccentric characters. Einstein, Feynman and Yukawa are giants in Modern Physics, just as Elias, Stuart and Sailor are in rugby league.
These men are strange misfits, uncomfortable in regular society. They spend much of their time mumbling to themselves, deeply thinking their beautiful thoughts.
I recently heard a former NSW champion on the radio explain that he was 9.9 percent sure something would happen. This caused some confusion until he explained that he always does percentages out of 10. This has caused me to reexamine many of my assumptions about the nature of mathematics.
Just another example that when these great men speak … we listen, and the world is a better place for their game-changing insights.
Redcap
Roar Guru
That's very good - should've put that in the article. Or maybe it's another article in itself given all the talk about six-again at the moment.
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Tony I’d let G Anner explain that one under the Laws of Questionable Decisions.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: Thanks David and commenters for brightening my dreary Bris day.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
The Dufty Limit?
Muzz
Guest
Is this why they call Cam Smith " The Accountant?"
AJ Mithen
Expert
this is great
Clint
Roar Rookie
Good one David :laughing:
Gog
Roar Rookie
Is that why he wears number 11?
David Roderick
Roar Rookie
That's an interesting theory kk, but according to Professor Stuart the role of the referee in determining the outcome of a match is a physical constant that has been unchanged since the beginning of time (1908). I would like more research done on how Alfie Langer can simultaneously participate and yet not participate in a match.
David Roderick
Roar Rookie
The Standard Model proposes a "set of six" quarks, and the existence of antimatter implies there is "six again"
kk
Roar Pro
DR,( appropriate initials) As a liberal extension of the quantum physics cycle ... if referees were obliged to take pain killers before each match (with boosters when needed) would it deflect or reduce the amount of agony imposed on players and supporters?
Cam
Roar Rookie
Definite link here, I loved Giorgio Parisi's 2021 speech when accepting the Nobel Prize for his work on the interplay of disorder and fluctuations in physical systems. "Full credit to the boys, you know, we've been turning up to the lab, day in day and all that wok paid off today. Obviously hats off to Reinhard Genzel, he put in a full 110% with his work on general relativity at relativistic velocities and he really made us dig deep. Genzy, you will be better for the run and no doubt will be back here next year (pause for applause). But you know, that's just physics, there has to be a winner and a loser and were just happy to get the job done today for our fans. For all you kids out there, dream big, be kind to your mum and don't mix chlorine and ammonia (drops the mic)".
Tony
Roar Guru
So you were the Davis Fifita of your era?
David Roderick
Roar Rookie
Yes, that is a bit like comparing apples and apples
David Roderick
Roar Rookie
When I was playing I used to put in 11% each week … I feel a lot better about that now
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
You list me when you mentioned the word giant and Elias in the same sentence.
David Roderick
Roar Rookie
Genius ... and thanks to the NSW fullback we now have a lot of evidence for the bottom quark
David Roderick
Roar Rookie
I didn’t believe in Quantum Entanglement until the first time I saw Cameron Smith attempt to release a tackled player.
David Roderick
Roar Rookie
No spoilers please!
Tony
Roar Guru
He's essentially a photon