Special Relativity as Command Physics

Here is the conclusion of chatGPT after a discussion about Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity SR:  

• SR is closed because it isn’t a theory of physics in the sense of describing processes. It’s a kinematic rule system — compact, rigid, like a card game with set rules. Once learned, there’s nothing left to develop internally.
• Physicists almost never argue about SR itself. It’s treated as settled background structure. 

Let us check it is true that SR is not a theory about physics. We then first inspect the Postulates used by Einstein to derive SR:

• Postulate 1: Laws of physics take the same form in all inertial systems.
• Postulate 2: The speed of light is the same in all inertial systems.

Postulate 1 describes no specific physics. Postulate 1 commands physics to behave in a certain way, which is preposterous. Postulate 2 speaks about speed of light without specification with again a command of invariance. 

We thus cannot find any specific physics in the Postulates of SR, and conclude that SR as the set of logical conclusions from the Postulates, does not describe any specific physics. It is empty of specific physics. If it contains physics it must have been sneaked in outside the Postulates, and that could be anything.

SR appears as a closed theory where there is nothing more to learn. A research proposal to further investigate SR as theory will certainly be turned down. 

We compare with Newton's mechanics and Maxwell's electro-magnetics based on Postulates with physical content like Newton's inverse square law of gravitation and Faraday's and Ampere's laws. These are not closed theories in the same sense as SR and research proposals would not automatically be turned down.

Another sign that SR is like a closed card game: If you try to discuss SR with a physicist you will get no response other than a comment that there is nothing to discuss because everything is settled and the details of the resolutions of the many paradoxes of SR are irrelevant. 

Now the fact is that SR is viewed to be foundational for modern physics with far-reaching consequences in all sorts of applications. But we have seen clear indications that SR is not a theory about real physics, but a closed card game outside real physics. If this is really the truth, then there is much work to be done to free modern physics from a theory commanding physics how to behave (Postulates 1+2), while in true science it is real physics which commands theory.

Of course none of the above is anything a modern physicist would be willing to discuss. Case closed. The crisis of modern physics has nothing to do with SR.

If as layman your are still curious, take a look at Many-Minds Relativity offering an alternative to SR based Postulates with physical meaning, fun to read!

Einstein: God does not play dice.

Bohr: Einstein, don't tell God what to do!