Approximations do not explain

Experimentation and theory have been almost orthogonal from the inception of humans, the former looking for practical proof and the latter conceptual leaps. Experimentation, however, seldom explains anything or even prove or disprove anything. Careers have been made by approximating or reducing theory to heuristics. However, such a process fails to explain anything fundamentally.

As engineering and technology advance, a higher share of the available brain power is attracted to collecting and analyzing data. Analysis of the past, however, has a limitation. It does not help explain how the system works. Those who seek proof never proves anything and those who do not, appear less capable of convincing others of their theories. We appear to be at an impasse, as engineers try to conquer the universe by observations and simulations and theorists remain locked up in their mathematical prisons. Both lack imagination, the last glimpse of which was a century ago.

One thing is clear, engineering approximations, albeit able to predict within bands of error, are not expandable to theories that govern the system. As those who seek approximations and practicality multiply like virus, we may be falling behind in real understanding.