One of the most dissatisfying aspects of modern physics is the fundamental constants. It's not that they are constant that bothers anyone, it is their very existence that is offensive to right-thinking people. Fundamental constants are needed to get working versions of the mathematical models we use to explain our observations. But their values are entirely derived from experimental measurements. There is no theory that predicts the value of fundamental constants like the speed of light or Planck's constant.

To make matters worse, we cannot even be sure that the fundamental constants are constant. A recent paper in Physical Review Letters presents an analysis of astronomical data indicating that either the fundamental constants do change—but not in some simple, easily measured fashion—or there is something very wrong with their analysis.

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