Hey tbombz just a quick announcement on the 'massive' mass-less particle debate we've been having.
Just for shits and giggles, today I asked a professor of theoretical physics(that works at the LHC if that means anything to you) about this issue. I presented both sides of the argument we've been having and I also specifically asked him "Do photons have mass in ANY sense of the word, no matter the definition? He clearly said "NO". He also pointed out that the connection people sometimes make between relativistic mass and photons is incorrect.
Science doesn't rely upon authority, but sometimes it's probably best to just listen and accept certain facts.
i agree in principle, and i really do not blame you what so ever for just repeating what the experts say. in their own context, they are certainly correct. but as he said, the vast majority of people think of an entirely different context for the terms being used. which is quite misleading. i would love to have a debate with your professor. this fall i was on a couchsurfng camping trip to volunteer in yosemite national park and this french guy from the island of reunion who is an astrophysicist was there and we had a delightful conversation on such topics. there is an afgahn dude who is studying at the school my gf went to for her BS and we go to parties at her friends apartment all the time on campus and he is there, we always get into discussions about islam, u.s. middle eastern policy, etc. very enlightening to talk to people who have first hand experience, experts, on issues im interested in.
all that to say, i guess, that im really not close minded like you may think i am, there are just cerain ideas i am fond of and enjoy bringing up in discussion. i appreciate anyone who engages in discussions with me on these issues, no matter how disagreeable i may be, as most people hate talking about "taboo" subjects and are instantly turned off by the topic.
im glad i got you thinking enough about the issue to go to your professor about it !
one thing you brought up the other day i didnt respond to, is that gravity doesnt act on photons. but do you remember how einstein proved his theory of relativity? it was by calculating the curvature of light as it passed the sun, because the suns massive gravitational force cause the beam of light to shift !
