Henry Harris

ENGL 21003

Professor Brittany Zayas

December 2, 2024

The Union of Mysticism and Unified Field Theories

How String Theory and Dendrogramic-Holographic Theory Assist the Fringe

1. Introduction

In 1905, Einstein published and wrote several papers explaining a theory known as Special Relativity. The theory claimed that speed, mass, time, and space are all intertwined by formula. The only point missed by Special Relativity was what happened to objects moving under gravitation, which resulted in Einstein’s 1916 general theory of relativity. 

General relativity was primarily concerned with how gravity—this missing gap in special relativity—affects a fabric of space-time to create this invisible ‘force’. Einstein concluded that massive objects cause warps in the 4th dimension of space-time, and thus this previously believed ‘force’ was more so an effect of curvature rather than a distinct force. 

At the same time as Einstein’s studies, research into the phenomena of thermal radiation of light by physicist Max Planck began as the basis for a new situation of physics known as quantum mechanics. Largely concerned with only 3 forces—electromagnetism and the two nuclear forces, the Strong Force and the Weak Force—quantum mechanics concerns that events of particles happen in jumps known as ‘quantum leaps’ with “probabilistic rather than definite outcomes” (Powell, 2015). In our modern day understanding of physics, the two have both developed—with Einstein producing some work for quantum mechanics as well—into how we apply our knowledge. 

However, the two theories of gravity have several confounding expectations when it comes to extreme circumstances. At the very smallest scales in the universe, particles and objects cease abiding by the laws described in general relativity—in which time is fluid. This extreme scale is the gap of which Unified Field Theories (UFTs) seek to resolve and mend. String theory was born in the middle of the 20th century, not too long after Einstein’s publication of general relativity. Most older theories have been discarded in lieu of a late 20th-century theory of superstrings and supersymmetry (Gopakumar, 2015). For the most part, string theory works to consolidate the differences between general relativity and quantum theory; however, it is not concretely accepted nor proofed. Thus, there are several other distinct resolutions to these differences. A separate idea—radically distinct from string theory—named dendrogramic-holographic theory takes a different approach through the analysis of observers and events. 

Regardless of the two different theories, the evolution into these theories in the past few decades has been congruent with a rise of pseudoscientific beliefs (sourced). The most fringe of these theories often approach and use the same terminology as physics studies into UFTs, and are certainly prominent explanations in how these fringe theories arise. It is in these similarities that some attention can be called to the arising possibility of some pseudoscientific topics consolidating with these theories. As research progresses, fringe sciences do retain some basis due to the theoretical nature found in the development of string theory and other UFTs. 

2. String Theory 

String theory was formulated soon after the development of both quantum theory and general relativity, but was mostly researched upon later in the 20th century. Particle properties are understood to be determined by the interactions between quarks and leptons, each forming different particles. String-like objects which also occur under other fields of physics such as the study of strong interactions (Gopakumar, 2015) are the key component to string theory. Strings fall under two natures—open, and closed. Closed strings have no endpoints, and simply loop pack in on themselves, while open strings have two endpoints. The tension, T, of these different strings is what determines these particle properties. 

String theory has developed in a focus to resolve different issues in consolidation of general relativity and quantum theory. The primary goal is to resolve the failures of general relativity under extreme circumstances. In the study of black holes and Schwarzchild radii, Hawking and Bekenstein observed that black holes appear to radiate energy besides light, primarily thermal energy. The amount of energy radiated by these black holes also follows a universal formula, meaning they are likely related to a property of something more distinct than random emissions of particles (Gopakumar, 2015). In the 1990s, a revelation in the study of string theory resulted in the focus on Dirichlet-branes or string-like objects that extend beyond a single dimension. There are multiple strings, each on a corner of the D-brane, giving it the ability to interact between dimensions. Because of this connection, D-branes can explain the existence of Hawking radiation and other phenomena as interactions within a brane and thus between dimensions. 

String theory also holds a great potential in explaining why objects operate under different laws at the planck scale. At subatomic levels such as those at planck scales, objects cease following the expected rules of general relativity and instead follow probability paths under quantum theory. Studying Hawking radiation using these D-branes have provided a theory of gauge-string duality that connects the change of rules. Particles whose properties are dictated by closed strings follow general relativity and coincide with the expected results of general relativity related formulas, while open strings follow quantum mechanical observations (Gopakumar, 2015). 

String theory—although meaning to be—is not an accepted theory of everything. The main issue it finds itself in is its failure to properly explain itself without the adoption of other theories of quantum gravity. Even when theories of supersymmetry—or the existence of a matching, opposite particle with a different spin value to every existing particle—it still expects ten dimensions of space-time without completely explaining them (Gopakumar, 2015). However, the expectation of these dimensions is not wholly doubted. As research and time progressed for the theory, more components of its previous speculation became more congruent with the theory’s expectations. 

3. Alternatives: Dendrogram-Holographic Theory’s Approach

Different proposals for UFTs arise from the un-concreteness of string theory. A prominent theory that takes an alternative and rationally different approach is Dendrogramic-holographic theory. Under DH-theory, data and information is collected by an observer O, and as events occur, they each fall under a tree of collected data. “Dendrograms represent hierarchically interrelated events: the event decomposition of the epistemic universe created by an observer O” (Shor et al. 2022). In DH-theory, all properties of the universe and information within it are encoded into this tree of events. Since each event occurs after one another and as a result of something else, the dendrograms of the theory are formed as connected events. Like string theory and other UFTs, the largest issue faced by those researching DH-theory is the lack of experimental data and research. DH-theory makes observations of information passing between each event as a whole, and since it produces a theory for how we observe the universe through holograms or representations of events, it becomes difficult to formulate testable hypotheses. However, DH-theory takes a mathematical approach through P-adic—or prime—numbers that create systems of probabilities of events, each represented by a number p. The description of probabilities forming events in these dendrograms unites quantum gravity and mechanics, despite quantum research being difficult to study already. The more evidently backed side of DH-theory is in its analysis of general relativity rather than quantum mechanics, in which DH-theory presents expected results for a Schwarzchild radius black hole as special general relativity predicts (Shor et al. 2022). 

DH-theory and string theory—although different in their approaches to resolving issues between general relativity and quantum mechanics—share many agreements. Primarily, both consider the involvement of higher dimensions and the interactions of particles between those dimensions as vital for providing the connection to quantum mechanics. String theory’s proposal of space-time dimensions providing explanations for entropy in quantum mechanics (Gopakumar, 2015) provides a unique, shared experience with DH-theory’s proposal of the interaction between events and their connection to each other (Shor et al. 2022) which can be explored and applied in many different theories of speculative science.

4. Speculative Science

Speculative sciences have developed alongside these two unified field theories—applying their logical approaches to a unique perspective on what they claim. The first is an interpretation of physicist Hugh Everett analysis in parallel universes—known as the many worlds theory—by Ruzin (2023). Everett primarily studies and interprets quantum mechanics through the ideas of Schrodinger, who famously experimented that particles exist under uncertain states before they are observed, and the state collapses. The characteristics of particles under string theory—as stated prior—is determined by the properties of the strings that make up those particles, primarily the property of tension. Tension follows the same rules quantum physics states, in which the wave-function—or probability curve—collapses into a single state upon observation. Everett observes that instead of a function collapsing into one of these states, each possible outcome of a quantum event exists in a separate universe. Ruzin (2023) analyzes this as a bifurcation of the universe in which both of its states exist alongside each other, albeit in separate undetermined universes. Under DH-theory, events conducted and observed branch through observations—consolidated into P-adic numbers—and could all branch from the same tree (Shor et al, 2022). 

Everett’s theory is analyzed by Ruzin (2023) into two separate processes in different systems. The first system involves, as summarized prior, an observation being conducted onto a quantum event in which the state of the event is then determined. The second theorizes that, when no observations are made, the state between the two continues to be undetermined. Ruzin (2023) proposes through Everett that our universe—encompassing everything from the big bang—is its own system, with the events occurring inside it being their own quantum event. Since no observations can be made from the outside if our universe is the system, then it would fall into the second process, and the states of every event occurring in our universe are infinite and distinct. As quantum physics grows in research due to the development of UFTs such as DH-theory, there is much greater insight between the philosophically fringe and science, such as in religious belief or thought (Ruzin, 2023).

Another perspective utilizing the ideas proposed by UFTs is the proposition of Drageset (2020), which utilizes the branes of string theory and its 9 dimensions as an explanation for the phenomena and absence of dark matter, and the absence of our understanding could be due to our inability to understand these dimensions, which Drageset (2020) names the ‘cosmos.’ String theory explains physical and nonphysical particles interacting through branes, and thus in different dimensions, which Drageset (2020) claims could provide understanding of the cosmos if studied. If different types of matter and energy remain undiscovered, there are likely nonphysical particles that hold energy as claimed under string theory (Drageset, 2020). There are two approaches to this speculation on nonphysical particles and the cosmos presented by two schools—the International Academy of Consciousness (IAC) and the Acem School of Meditation. The IAC primarily concerns itself with the dream state, as well as out-of-body experiences and the unconscious mind, which arouses mysteries with how the mind operates. The second school—Acem—searches for a similar goal through the collection of neuroscientific evidence using meditation coupled with physics and string theory. Drageset (2020) combines the research of these two schools to conclude that “a mind consisting of two parallel nonphysical universes [seem] to support the observations made by IAC and Acem” (Drageset, 2020. The first universe and one of the extra dimensions under string theory harbors dark matter and psychological processes, while the other being what we perceive. 

Drageset’s (2020) theory lacks much more rationally backed thought, and its claims are certainly far reaching and fringe, however there is no doubt that the theories presented are derived from those presented by string theory. Despite its potential lack of truthfulness, the simple existence of theories as such which come from scientific basis demonstrate the expansion of such ideas as UFTs and other scientific research continues development.

5. Realizing the Mysticism of Pseudoscience

Pseudoscience encompasses a broad swath of beliefs generally unaccepted by the scientific

community. In the United States, conspiratorial ideas such as distrusting vaccines and the claim that the moon landing was fake stray from science and are held by a small percent of people—roughly 10% of Americans sampled (Hamilton, 2022)—while still existing out there. However, it is ought to be that some distinction be made between those theories and the likes of theories proposed by Drageset (2020) and Ruzin (2023). Drageset (2020) and Ruzin’s (2023) models are based around hypotheses derived from widely held scientific beliefs, while other fringe sciences and theories are almost entirely discounted due to their unscientific and speculative nature. 

Ruzin’s (2023) analysis of Everett’s many worlds theory primarily concerns itself with the idea of how systems operate under observation. To recall, Ruzin (2023) concluded through Everett that parallel universes operate alongside our own since there can be no outside observer to our own universe, making the state of our universe as a whole system undetermined. The primary component of the many worlds theory is the understanding that our universe is its own system to be observed, and the inability for it to be observed from the outside leaves its state undetermined. As stated prior, this observer-event interaction is heavily consistent with how DH-theory measures a similar process. The relation proposed within DH-theories analysis of particles and states can be extended—through Ruzin’s (2023) analysis of the many worlds theory—to include every action and choice we make. Quantum theory and DH-theory both expect this, where the state of the system exists undistinguished until observation links it to a tree of events. Ruzin (2023) recalls Schrodinger’s cat as a main focus for Everett’s many worlds theory, in which a cat in a box is administered poison, after which its state—either dead or alive—is unknown until observation is made.

From Schrodinger’s cat and the many worlds theory a thought experiment arose, first proposed by Max Tegmark in the 1990s. The experiment, known as quantum suicide and immortality, The experiment is constructed a similar way as Schrodinger’s; however, in Tegmark’s experiment, the observer who records the observations following the experiment is the one inside of the box. A gun, pointed at the experimenter’s head, is rigged up to a machine that—when the trigger is pulled—measures the spin of a quark, an elementary quantum particle. A measurement of a clockwise spin results in the trigger going off and a bullet firing, while a measurement of a counterclockwise spin causes the gun to stall. This means the two states produced are either death or survival. If the many worlds theory is true, every time the trigger is pulled, a bifurcation occurs in which the experimenter both dies and lives. If the experimenter continues pulling the trigger, a death would end the bifurcations while living enables the trigger to be pulled again, resulting in an infinite number of times that the gun did not kill the experimenter (Clark, 2023). 

Thought experiments like these set off the link between solidly studied sciences and theories into the fringe. Immortality and reincarnation—such as hypothesized under the religious philosophy of Buddhism—may serve some larger potential in studying if such great overlaps exist between the previously mystical and the evidenced science (Ruzin, 2023). The theory of many worlds and the analysis Ruzin (2023) conducts in regards to it discuss considerably pseudoscientific topics while under the processes of dendrogramic-holographic theory and quantum mechanics.

Drageset’s (2020) theory, on the other hand, focuses on string theory’s proposition of nine dimensions of space-time. Since we currently understand and exist up to the third dimension of space-time, the other 6 dimensions are assumed to be found within each other, in a way that we have not yet discovered. Primarily, Drageset (2020) proposes that since we do not know the way the extra 6 dimensions ‘curl’ up to form our current universe, the possibilities for what these other dimensions could be are large. If the dimensions are used to describe two parallel universes, one of which defines dark matter and the other dark energy, string theory could unify and explain these concepts (Drageset, 2020). The two universes are categorized into a psychological universe—dreams, memories—and an intuitive universe—personality, worldview. The proven correctness of quantum mechanics and its expectations could lead to an understanding that a ‘quantum body’ exists if it is also expected under quantum mechanics (Drageset, 2020).

Consider for a moment the Mandela effect. The effect occurs when large groups of people misremember some feature of a popular cultural icon in a very similar manner. The term originates from a widely held misconception that Nelson Mandela had passed away while being imprisoned, despite the death never occurring. A study into the consistencies in the Mandela effect demonstrates that—although a single reason remains difficult to pinpoint—there are “certain images for which people consistently make the same false memory error” (Prasad, Bainbridge, 2022). The study also produced an observation and conclusion that the information is simply filled in based on commonalities—i.e. associating the Monopoly Man with a monocle as monocles are associated with wealth—but instead does not follow this consistent pattern (Prasad, Bainbridge, 2022). If the theory presented by Drageset (2020) were to be applied to a phenomena such as the Mandela effect, it could be that memories inconsistent with reality are simple interruptions or interactions from the parallel nonphysical psychological universe that harbors memories.

When it comes to the Mandela effect, a similar notion is taken alike with quantum suicide and immortality and the many worlds theory. A phenomena that remains particularly unexplained exists, yet coincides greatly with science. 

6. Refutation 

It is important to again note that there are hazy distinctions between experiments with thought and the theoretical which are rooted in science and conspiratorial thinking that refutes science. To many people, it may be that the simple introduction to a conversation regarding thought that isn’t wholly scientific is enough to turn away from the idea. Due to several major disruptions in the United States—such as the 2016-2020 presidency of Donald Trump, and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020—conspiratorial thinking has been on a steady rise, a roughly 4 point increase in average belief out of 37 conspiracies. Several of the 6 conspiracies that have increased in time were directly involved with pseudoscientific thought; for example, the government adds fluoride into the water supply for sinister reasons rather than dental health (Uscinski, 2022). The rise of these conspiracies provides justification to be skeptical when ideas such as the ones presented by Drageset (2020) and Ruzin (2023).

However, the key difference between the conspiratorial and the philosophical scientific thinking is that the latter does not attempt to refute general scientific thought, but rather expand off of it. Ruzin’s (2023) discussion of the dimensions proposed by string theory are analyses of credible scientific thought by physicist Hugh Everett that “the appearance of a multiplicity of classical worlds relating to observers, who have multiple destinies, in a single quantum Universe, described by a single solution of Schrödinger’s equation” (Ruzin, 2023). These ideas are primarily expansions of theories arising in the modern age, and make attempts to expand the realm of thinking rather than deter what scientists agree is fruitful thinking. 

7. In closing

The long development of unified field theories as a resolution to the differences between general relativity and quantum mechanics has proven influential in more ways than one. Besides resolving the answer to how our universe truly operates, they also provide great insight to formulate fringe scientific theories and speculative thought. Despite the contestants for a unified field theory presenting vastly different opinions and approaches, they are both vital in providing interpretations and evidence for radically new theories along the ornate lines of pseudoscience and science. Eventually, these radical philosophies may be disproven or supported, however despite their conclusions, they are all united in their basic alliance with science, and as theories towards the workings of our universe advance, so do the mystical. 

REFERENCES

Clark, J. (2023, August 15). How Quantum Suicide Works. HowStuffWorks Science. https://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/science-questions/quantum-suicide3.htm 

Drageset, O. (2020). A model of matter, mind, and consciousness. Physics Essays, 33(4), 453–459. https://doi-org.ccny-proxy1.libr.ccny.cuny.edu/10.4006/0836-1398-33.4.453

Gopakumar, R. (2015). String theory and the conundrums of quantum gravity. Current Science (00113891), 109(12), 2265–2270. 

Powell, C. (2015, November 4). Relativity versus Quantum Mechanics – the Battle for the Universe. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/news/2015/nov/04/relativity-quantum-mechanics-universe-physicists 

Prasad, D., & Bainbridge, W. A. (2021). The Visual Mandela Effect as Evidence for Shared and Specific False Memories across People. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/nzh3s 

Ruzin, M. (2023). Parallel Universes. Vizione, 40, 303–310. 

Shor, O., Benninger, F., & Khrennikov, A. (2022). Towards Unification of General Relativity and Quantum Theory: Dendrogram Representation of the Event-Universe. Entropy, 24(2), 181. Uscinski J, Enders A, Klofstad C, Seelig M, Drochon H, Premaratne K, Murthi M (2022). Have beliefs in conspiracy theories increased over time? PLoS One. 2022 Jul 20;17(7):e0270429. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0270429. PMID: 35857743; PMCID: PMC9299316.