One of the underlying questions about the nature of the Universe is whether it is self-similar at different scales, i.e., do structures at different scales resemble each other?
Peratt builds on Alfven; there is a section on using transmission line theory, rather than electric circuit theory, for modeling plasma in the appendix of his book.
Nice forward-able summary, John, thank you. I'm always looking for fresh intro takes to send to people...though admittedly it's rare I encounter any who show interest in the topic even when it's noted to them. The elemental, eternal nature of charge separation, and its natural tendencies, captivated me when I learned about it many years ago...so I'm always oddly surprised when others don't react that way.
In fact, I've witnessed extreme resistance. Like the gal I know who was talking about earthquakes and volcanoes here in the PNW/Pacific Rim, and how horrible it was that We Can Never Knew When We'll Get Doomded.
I noted that there was considerable headway in earthquake prediction being made among people who study electrical fields/phenomena as indicators of geophysical activity. She asked for clarification, I spoke very generally and simply about Birkeland currents, solar activity, etc....and she suddenly plugged her ears with both forefingers and said "THIS IS NOT SOMETHING I WANT TO KNOW, THIS IS NOT SOMETHING I WANT TO KNOW."
It struck me as very peculiar... but oddly instructive.
I know a good number of rockhounds and stone tool makers...but they have zero response to "electric geology" ideas. I know star geeks, similar.
It's an odd and interesting mindblock. Of course the Newtonian Universe (lumps of stuff crashing into other lumps) has had the megaphone for so long....
So I wonder sometimes what the "mass disclosure" event could be that allows a wider awakening to all this. Seems to me that the scaleability of plasma phenomena raises revolutionary possiblities in every field--especially "medicine"/restoration of health and understanding of biology. And geophysics, as noted above. And, we assume, periodic earthly catastrophes.
When I think about these things I sometimes bump up on something like existential terror...but always it...z-pinches...back down to little tiny plasmoids of awe, gratitude, and even sometimes feeling choked up.
I am thankful for 'Stacks like yours, Robe Warrior's, Hans Schantz's, Brent Shadbolt's, Bob Greenyer's, and others focusing or touching on this topic. Cheers, bro.
Brilliant. I confess I've never thought about interstellar plasma before (falling for the typical "there are the odd hydrogen atoms and nothing of significance" simplification) and will have to do some digging.
"Plasma is a state of matter along with solids, liquids and gases. When a neutral gas is heated such that some of the electrons are freed from the atoms or molecules, it changes state and becomes a plasma. It consists of a partially-ionized gas, containing ions, electrons, and neutral atoms."
Plasma Physics: Time to take centre stage.
The 2nd edition of Alfven's Cosmical Electrodynamics looks like it's a greatly expanded version of my 1st Ed.
The SAFIRE Project explicitly uses the scalability of plasma phenomena to build a model Electric Sun. https://www.safireproject.com
Lots of material on these topics at https://www.thunderbolts.info/wp
Peratt builds on Alfven; there is a section on using transmission line theory, rather than electric circuit theory, for modeling plasma in the appendix of his book.
Thanks for the pointer to Peratt's appendix.
This is a superb read, great work John!
Nice forward-able summary, John, thank you. I'm always looking for fresh intro takes to send to people...though admittedly it's rare I encounter any who show interest in the topic even when it's noted to them. The elemental, eternal nature of charge separation, and its natural tendencies, captivated me when I learned about it many years ago...so I'm always oddly surprised when others don't react that way.
In fact, I've witnessed extreme resistance. Like the gal I know who was talking about earthquakes and volcanoes here in the PNW/Pacific Rim, and how horrible it was that We Can Never Knew When We'll Get Doomded.
I noted that there was considerable headway in earthquake prediction being made among people who study electrical fields/phenomena as indicators of geophysical activity. She asked for clarification, I spoke very generally and simply about Birkeland currents, solar activity, etc....and she suddenly plugged her ears with both forefingers and said "THIS IS NOT SOMETHING I WANT TO KNOW, THIS IS NOT SOMETHING I WANT TO KNOW."
It struck me as very peculiar... but oddly instructive.
I know a good number of rockhounds and stone tool makers...but they have zero response to "electric geology" ideas. I know star geeks, similar.
It's an odd and interesting mindblock. Of course the Newtonian Universe (lumps of stuff crashing into other lumps) has had the megaphone for so long....
So I wonder sometimes what the "mass disclosure" event could be that allows a wider awakening to all this. Seems to me that the scaleability of plasma phenomena raises revolutionary possiblities in every field--especially "medicine"/restoration of health and understanding of biology. And geophysics, as noted above. And, we assume, periodic earthly catastrophes.
When I think about these things I sometimes bump up on something like existential terror...but always it...z-pinches...back down to little tiny plasmoids of awe, gratitude, and even sometimes feeling choked up.
I am thankful for 'Stacks like yours, Robe Warrior's, Hans Schantz's, Brent Shadbolt's, Bob Greenyer's, and others focusing or touching on this topic. Cheers, bro.
Brilliant. I confess I've never thought about interstellar plasma before (falling for the typical "there are the odd hydrogen atoms and nothing of significance" simplification) and will have to do some digging.
Thanks! I had to look up what plasma is, from https://www.pppl.gov/about/about-plasmas-and-fusion:
"Plasma is a state of matter along with solids, liquids and gases. When a neutral gas is heated such that some of the electrons are freed from the atoms or molecules, it changes state and becomes a plasma. It consists of a partially-ionized gas, containing ions, electrons, and neutral atoms."
Alfven was a cosmic chad and plugged right into the grid to boot.
Man, how far and fast academia has fallen.
Well done sir. Fascinating stuff. I definitely need to dig out my never-read Lerner. Very intriguing.
Hi. Please consider the theories of Prof Konstantin Meyl as an explanation for almost everything that needs explaining.
Meyl has calculated various 'fundamental' constants from scratch: https://library-of-atlantis.com/2025/06/05/there-is-no-fine-tuning-of-the-universe/
I wrote a post on the self-similarity of vortex phenomenon everywhere: https://library-of-atlantis.com/2025/05/18/vortices-in-cosmology-and-biology/
This is my attempt to explain a general toroidal geometry to the universe an in addition the idea that 'length' is not absolute but depends upon ambient field strength (from Meyl): https://library-of-atlantis.com/2025/06/13/a-vortex-topology-for-the-universe/
The inverse square law applies regardless of scale. The speed of light is constant regardless of scale. These two facts determine everything else.
But it sure is beautiful when someone puts it all together in such an elegant way.