I receive 3-5 emails every week from independent researchers, asking me to evaluate their theories or to endorse their submissions to arXiv.org. This situation has grown worse with the rise of Artifical Intelligence: Large Language Models now produce articles coherent enough to look convincing to non-experts but which would never pass peer review in good scientific journals.
I do not endorse submissions to arXiv.org from folk unaware of the standards expected by good scientific journals in gravitation, particle physics and cosmology. Understanding what those standards are comes by doing research at least at a Masters level in relevant specialist subjects, after having already taken university courses in general relativity, differential geometry, quantum field theory and physical cosmology etc.
Engineers typically make up much of the "independent researcher" emails, having studied physics to a level required by their engineering specializations. However, the professional standards in fundamental theoretical and mathematical physics are no less rigorous than standards required for professional accreditation in advanced engineering. To do research in fundamental physics, one really needs a relevant higher degree, including research under a good advisor who will apprentice you in our craft.
I even receive requests from people offering to pay me for evaluating their theories. My time is priceless; apart from my own research my time is devoted to the undergraduate and research students who enrol at the University of Canterbury, whom I must teach and advise. If fundamental physics is your passion, then begin by enrolling in a good university close to where you live.
I know that not everyone is lucky enough to have the opportunity for higher study in physics and cosmology, while being every bit as in awe of the Universe as we are. This was brought home to me in my first two weeks as a PhD student in Cambridge in 1983, which coincided with a BBC Horizon documentary about Stephen Hawking's research. One day Stephen's secretary presented the students with a mail sack full of letters from BBC viewers. Apart from the many dozens of random theories, there were also letters with questions which we sometimes answered. On occasion there was a really deep question from someone who one knew could have been doing research if their life had turned out differently. Grappling with the fundamental mysteries of the Universe for a living is a privilege. Personally, I do whatever public outreach I have time for — but unfortunately I do not have time to respond to all emails I receive.
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