Mean field theory Memes

The existential crisis every physics grad student experiences when they realize all those fancy condensed matter physics models (BEC, BCS, Fermi Liquid Theory) are just elaborate masks for "it's basically an ideal gas with extra steps." Mean Field Theory is that moment when physicists admit they're just averaging things because the actual calculations would make their calculators explode. It's the physics equivalent of saying "trust me bro, it all works out if we just... ignore the complicated parts."