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Why are there no global continuous internal symmetries in quantum gravity?

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I've heard it said that global continuous internal symmetries must be broken in any reasonable theory of quantum gravity. What's the precise version of this statement, and the reasoning behind it? (I know how to show this is true in string theory, but apparently there are more general arguments.)

asked May 20, 2014 in Theoretical Physics by photino (25 points) [ revision history ]
edited May 21, 2014 by photino

See the question http://www.physicsoverflow.org/22330/global-symmetries-in-quantum-gravity and its answers.

commented Aug 24, 2014 by 40227 (5,140 points) [ no revision ]

This is our first duplicate. How do we close as duplicate?

commented Aug 24, 2014 by Ron Maimon (7,730 points) [ no revision ]

@RonMaimon It's not the first duplicate actually. Anyway, one can mark as duplicate by clicking "close" and checking the "this is a duplicate" option. Not sure, if there is the necessity for a formal vote to close.

commented Aug 25, 2014 by dimension10 (1,985 points) [ no revision ]

I would generally vote to close in case of duplicates too ...

commented Aug 25, 2014 by Dilaton (6,240 points) [ no revision ]

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