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Originally Posted by QuikSand
I am reaching the conclusion that I simply will never make intuitive peace with these concepts, and will have to come to terms with that. I appreciate the interesting contributions, though.
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I have this pet theory that the current resurgence of religion is caused precisely by this - that modern scientific theory is so seemingly anti-intuitive that the guy-in-the-street seeks other explanations. This theory received a boost only a couple of days ago when I watched a Discovery program E=mc2 which attempts to explain the derivation of the equation. It began by commenting that, in the 18/19th centuries, scientists were the pop musicians of the time - that scientific lectures were attended by the public as pop concerts are today.
Science in those days was relatively easily understood and the intelligent amateur stood a fair chance of being in touch with and understanding all the latest theories. But as science advanced and theories became more complex, mathematical and less linked to everyday experience the scientific world became increasingly isolated until today when much scientific understanding seems to make no (common) sense.