Have the Italian results been totally discredited?

What if all matter is formed from the condensed portions of the overall electromagnetic field, & that this can only occur in the early & extreme conditions at the exit of a singularity plus turbulence?

What if it is all a matter of scale? From the sub atomic level to galaxies .

What if there is no such thing as a gravitational field?

What if the only field is the electromagnetic field and that Gravity is really only a term for the distortion of the overall electromagnetic field we can call spacetime, by massive objects like stars & planets?

What if the force we call gravitational attraction is due to the natural imbalance of electrons between one piece of matter & another?

This difference only has to be 1 part in 10^40 for there to be the attractive force we mistakenly call gravity.

What if the extra distortion of space time is due to the variations in the density of spacetime & not to some mysterious dark matter?

After all energy & matter are equivalent & all positive energy is attractive.

I know this goes against the grain, but I hope it causes some different directions of thought.

I wanted to give the pot a stir.

Comments are welcome

Well, dark matter theory is a theory. There is experimental evidence that shows that there is some extra mass out there. The theory is that this matter is made up of the very big (i.e. black holes) and the very small (WIMPs, neutrinos etc). It's not really a hypothesis as there is indirect experimental evidence that these forms of dark matter DO exist (I gave one example from the galactic halos), so it's all about planning how to detect these forms of dark matter.

I'm not totally familiar with the details of WIMP theory, but in my mind it is more a theory than a hypothesis. The described WIMP detector takes on a testable model and attempts to prove the theory. So in this case, the theory that a WIMP will hit xenon atoms will be tested. If no collisions are detected, the theory on dark matter will need to be adjusted accordingly.

That's my take on it anyway

Cheers, Ian

If you are not a physicist or a mathematician, but have a keen and inquiring mind then it is a book that won't disappoint. It rises far above the level of mere pop-science, elucidating some of the most wonderful and beautiful aspects of the Standard Model of particle physics in an amazingly clear and readable way.

There's even a lot in there for actual physicists – It's a great 'big picture' book for getting your thoughts on the subject organised before diving into the mathematical minutiae. Check it out.

BTW – I'm not associated with the book or author in any way shape or form, other than thinking it was a great read.

"What the hell is that picture of, it looks like two people inside. Is it a giant room with gold mirrors or what? Can someone please explain to me what I am looking at?"

Ain't it cool? I love scientific instruments such as Super-K and those at the LHC not only for the amazing science, but the fact that they just look science-fictiony and awesome.

On topic – 2.4 million is bargain basement for an experiment like this. I wish I were rich – I'd fund these sorts of things myself. Good luck to 'em!

Have a look here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super-Kamiokande

Hope that helps Ian