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Physics of Celestial Bodies Applied to Social Dynamics
Quan Gan
November 26, 2023
Abstract
This paper explores the innovative application of classical and relativistic physics laws to the
domain of social dynamics, presenting a metaphorical framework that offers a fresh perspective on
understanding social phenomena. The core concept posits that social interactions and individual
behaviors can be likened to the motion of celestial bodies governed by forces similar to those in the
physical universe. Specifically, it draws analogies from Newton’s laws of motion and the concept of
gravity to propose ideas such as ”social mass,” ”social inertia,” and ”social escape velocity,” concep-
tualizing the social field as a high-dimensional manifold where entities follow geodesic paths shaped
by social influence. It also discusses how established patterns of behavior and collective consciousness
can lead to a perceived ”social gravity,” affecting individual trajectories within this manifold. By
applying these physical laws to social contexts, the paper aims to illuminate underlying mechanics
governing human interactions and societal changes, thereby potentially serving as a valuable heuris-
tic tool for leaders, policymakers, and individuals seeking to navigate and effect change in the social
fabric. The exploration seeks to prime readers to question established paradigms and embrace a
more universal approach to understanding the interplay of social forces in an interconnected reality.
1 Introduction
Human endeavors to discern the patterns governing the universe have led to the establishment of profound
physical laws that describe the motion of celestial bodies and the forces between them. These laws,
which began with Issac Newton’s mechanics and evolved through Einstein’s general relativity, have been
instrumental in advancing our understanding of the physical cosmos. Yet, physical bodies are not the
only entities that move and interact under the influence of invisible forces. Social entities—individuals,
groups, concepts, and cultures—also navigate a complex space, following trajectories that seem both
enigmatic and ordered. This paper proposes a bold parallel: What if we applied the principles of
celestial mechanics to social dynamics?
Herein lies an interdisciplinary endeavor to map the motion and attraction of bodies in celestial space
onto the motion and influence of entities in social space. We make a deliberate choice to employ a
metaphorical lens, reimagining social masses as vibrational entities influenced by forces comparable to
those described in Newtonian physics and Einstein’s spacetime curvature. In doing so, we invite the
reader to join us in a thought experiment that employs the precision and universality of physics as a
guide to illuminate the often unpredictable realm of human behavior and social change.
To establish the relevance of this exploration, we recognize that just as the celestial paths were once
unknown to mankind, the intrinsic pathways of social dynamics have eluded complete understanding.
The assertion that linear time is a mere perceptual filter and causality as an emergent phenomenon aims
to challenge the reader’s accustomed perspectives. If we accept that the mutual attraction of Earth
and moon is due to the curvature of spacetime itself, then we must be willing to explore the possibility
that social interactions are similarly the result of the warping of a social space manifold by entities with
”social mass.”
The ambitions of this paper are twofold: firstly, to extrapolate the mathematical elegance of physical
laws into metaphorical equations that reflect social dynamics; and secondly, to offer novel insights that can
assist those who seek to harness these dynamics in crafting a richer, more cooperative human narrative.
This approach is not without its challenges, as social phenomena are often complex, non-linear, and
influenced by a myriad of subjective experiences. Nevertheless, the potential to yield a new paradigm
through which to view our social world compels us to present these analogies as tools for deeper inquiry
and understanding.
By marrying the steadfast laws of celestial bodies with the fluid motions of social entities, we aspire
to cast fresh light upon the gravitational forces that bind us, the inertia that holds us, and the escape
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velocities that free us. As we embark on this journey across the high-dimensional topography of society,
we proffer a manuscript that serves both as a map and as a compass, guiding readers through the
conceptual cosmos where the physics of the heavens meets the dance of human connection.
2 Theoretical Background
The core principles that govern the celestial bodies in our universe have long stood as science’s most
precise and universally accepted truths. From the trajectories of planets to the frameworks describing
the universe’s curvature, these principles have opened up new realms of understanding. Similarly, the
social field teems with dynamics that mirror the venerated laws of physics, albeit through a metaphorical
translation. The purpose of this section is to set the stage for the proposed parallels by summarizing
key principles from Newtonian and Einsteinian physics and their corresponding theories within social
science.
Newton and Einstein in Physics and Social Dynamics
Newton’s laws and Einstein’s theory of general relativity present a picture of the universe in which space,
time, and matter interact in predictable ways. Newton’s laws describe the relationship between a body
and the forces acting upon it, as well as the body’s response to those forces. These foundational laws
establish the concepts of inertia, acceleration due to force, and the principle that for every action, there
is an equal and opposite reaction.
Einstein’s general relativity weaves a richer tapestry where gravity is not merely a force but the result
of masses curving the spacetime fabric itself. Massive bodies like stars and planets dictate the movement
of smaller bodies not by exerting a force over a distance but by shaping the path available to them, much
like a marble rolling on a warped rubber sheet will naturally follow the sheet’s contours.
In a social context, entities such as individuals, groups, ideas, and cultures possess a metaphorical
“social mass” that distorts the social fabric, creating troughs and peaks analogous to the curvatures of
spacetime. This social fabric guides social entities along paths — the social behavior and interactions
— that appear natural within the internal frame of reference, much like planets moving along geodesics
appear to follow straight lines in the curved spacetime around them.
The Higgs Field and Social Mass
The Higgs field in physics is a fundamental field that imparts mass to elementary particles via the Higgs
mechanism. Particles interact with this field, and the strength of their interaction determines their mass.
Similarly, in the social realm, we can conceptualize a “social field” where the intensity and frequency of
an individual’s thoughts, behaviors, and interactions contribute to their social mass. This mass increases
as ideas resonate and vibrate through the social field, gaining momentum and influencing the course of
societal patterns.
Kurt Lewin’s Social Field Theory
Kurt Lewin’s social field theory describes behavior as a dynamic interplay between the individual and
the environmental forces, both physical and socio-psychological, that pervade their ’life space.’ This
holistic view asserts that understanding behavior requires considering the totality of influencing factors
— a perspective that finds its echo in the comprehensive influence of gravity on a body’s motion in space.
Sociological Theories in Alignment with the Physical Analogy
The work of Pierre Bourdieu, notably his concept of social space, provides a framework within which
individuals and groups navigate through fields, each with its own rules, structures, and capital forms.
The navigation and trajectories in these fields bear resemblance to the movements of bodies governed
by gravitational rules in physics.
Niklas Luhmann’s systems theory views society as a complex system, structured by communications
rather than the actions of individuals. Analogous to the interdependent celestial bodies in the cosmos,
Luhmann posits that each component of society cannot be understood in isolation but only through its
relation to the system as a whole.
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Erving Goffman’s dramaturgy examines the creation of identity as a theatrical performance where
individuals manage impressions in the eyes of others. This presentation of self in everyday interaction is
reminiscent of how bodies in space can only be understood in terms of their relationships and effects on
each other.
Justification for Employing Physical Laws in Social Analogy
The decision to utilize physical laws to frame social dynamics rests on the premise that patterns, relations,
and interactions possess a degree of universality regardless of the domain. The effectiveness of physical
laws in providing clear, structured, and predictive understandings of natural phenomena suggests their
potential utility in interpreting the more nebulous realm of social interactions. Through this exploration,
we are advocating for a sophisticated yet accessible lens through which to examine social phenomena —
one that offers intuitive parallels to familiar concepts in physics, thus fostering deeper insights into the
forces behind human interaction, societal structures, and cultural evolution.
3 Newton’s Laws and the Social Field
The physical laws codified by Sir Isaac Newton, describing the motion of celestial bodies through space,
can be powerfully reimagined to illuminate the nuances of social dynamics. In particular, Newton’s
laws offer a valuable lens through which to understand the forces and motions shaping human society,
especially when considering the concept of inertia within the individual and collective human brain as
an evolutionary trait adapted to conserve energy.
First Law: The Law of Social Inertia and Evolutionary Efficiency
Newton’s first law, the law of inertia, articulates the tendency of objects to resist changes in their motion.
Analogously, the concept of “social inertia” arises from a psychological evolutionary trait that favors
energy conservation within the brain. The human brain prefers to follow established neural pathways,
which are more energy-efficient, resulting in behaviors and thought patterns that have a certain resistance
to change.
The human brain is estimated to account for 2% of a person’s body weight, yet it consumes approxi-
mately 20% of the body’s energy. Persisting in established neural pathways rather than forging new ones
conserves cognitive energy, which has been essential for survival throughout human evolution (?). This
neuropsychological efficiency functions as “social mass,” manifesting in deeply rooted beliefs, traditions,
and behaviors that dictate the degree of inertia and resistance to social change (?).
Second Law: The Law of Social Motion and Established Neuropathways
Newton’s second law informs us about the acceleration of a body as a result of the forces acting upon it.
In the social field, this law correlates with the inclination of individual and collective minds to maintain
existing patterns of thought and behavior, an inclination rooted in what is often the path of least energy
expenditure. Established neuropathways are favored because they have been optimized and beefed up
over time, making them the most energy-efficient routes for neural activity.
Change, therefore, requires a “social force” sufficient enough to overcome the entrenched “social
mass” of these pathways. Just as it takes a remarkable physical force to change the velocity of a massive
body, significant psychological or societal influences are required to shift established neural patterns,
according to researchers like ?, who explores the science behind willpower and habit change.
Third Law: The Law of Social Interaction and Collective Neural Pressures
Newton’s third law’s equivalent in the social realm suggests that introspective changes or external in-
terventions aiming to alter a person’s behavior invariably encounter a proportionate response from the
established system. Peer pressure and societal expectations can be viewed as a collective manifestation
of the brain’s energy conservation trait. On a broader scale, this reflects a homeostatic impulse where
societal systems naturally revert to established norms, which are cognitively less taxing for the average
individual, a perspective supported by neuroscientific studies (?).
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