What is Electromagnetism?

What is Physics?

Tim Maudlin: Ontological Clarity, Electromagnetism and the Aharanov-Bohm Effect (EmQM17)

Some background: Maxwell’s Original Equations

Maxwell's original equations were Heavisided so as to remove some of the more fascinating consequences; one of them being a scalar field and hence zero-point energy.

Maxwell's original formulation was deeply linked to hydrodynamics - we still call it an electric current as a vestigial nod to that connection. Imagine a toy boat floating on a river; the current will propel the boat downstream. Now, imagine removing the water - yet the boat still moves. What is moving the boat? A "water- field"?

If a mathematical model really expresses features of the physical universe, then if that model is wrong, then there will be experiments that make little sense. Physics has tried hard for over a century to bend the maths to fit experiments, but at some point it breaks.

Human attributes such as power and aggression can trump natural philosophy for a long time - but not for ever. Experiments from seemingly different fields will point to a deep flaw in the mathematics - and that flaw cannot be just bullied away - unless we just stop funding theoretical physics once all the control mechanisms are in place.