Nova: The Elegant Universe

[odysseus145]

Its a rerun, but interesting nonetheless.<br /><br />From e-mail newsletter:<br /><br /> <i>Next on NOVA: "The Elegant Universe"<br /><br />http://www.pbs.org/nova/elegant/<br /><br />Broadcast: December 21, 2004, 8:00-10:00 pm ET on PBS (check local<br />listings as local broadcast schedules may vary)<br /><br />String theory is the Holy Grail of modern physics. Using complex<br />mathematics, string theorists seek to unify the forces of nature,<br />enabling physicists to understand the universe at its most basic<br />level. To the uninitiated, string theory is totally mind-boggling.<br />But physicist Brian Greene has a rare gift for conveying physics in<br />vivid everyday images, a gift that has turned his recent book, The<br />Elegant Universe, into a mighty bestseller. Now Greene brings his<br />talent, youth, and vitality to television for the first time. A<br />highly innovative, Matrix-like production style makes the surreal<br />world of string theory spring to life on the screen. On the<br />companion Web site, hear the opinions and insights of Greene and<br />other leading physicists about the current state of string theory,<br />look behind the scenes at how the film's special effects were<br />achieved, and delve into a series of mind-expanding interactives,<br />among other features.<br /><br />Here's what you'll find on the companion Web site:<br /><br />Articles and Interviews<br /><br /> A Theory of Everything?<br /> In this excerpt from his book The Elegant Universe, Brian Greene<br /> explains why string theory might hold the key to unifying the<br /> four forces of nature.<br /><br /> A Conversation with Brian Greene<br /> The series host says we may not be smart enough to ever fully<br /> understand the universe, he'd like to know now if string theory<br /> is wrong, and more.<br /><br /> Viewpoints on String Theory<br /> Leading physicists offer insights -- and sometim</i> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[kmarinas86]

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/elegant/scale.html<br /><br />Talk about a wealth of knowledge! <img src="/images/icons/tongue.gif" /><br /><br /><font color="yellow">in fact, to see individual strings we would need an accelerator the size of the Milky Way</font><br /><br />I supppose that sub-nanotechnology could break this rule.

 

[mooware]

The book is pretty interesting too!<br /><br />

 

[rogers_buck]

Thanks for the heads-up. I missed it first time around. Guess I'll put one of the DVRs on the job since I don't get around to the telly much. Brian Greene's one of my favorites.

 

[meteo]

The book is better, you know how they turn those specials into scientific fluff. Although the production values on it were pretty good.

 

[odysseus145]

Next on NOVA: "The Elegant Universe: Welcome to the 11th Dimension"<br /><br />http://www.pbs.org/nova/elegant/<br /><br />Broadcast: Tuesday, December 28, 2004, 8:00 pm ET on PBS (check local<br />listings as local broadcast schedules may vary)<br /><br />In "Welcome to the 11th Dimension," the <b>third and final episode</b> of<br />"The Elegant Universe," string theory is faced with an embarrassment<br />of riches. Five different string theories compete for the title<br />Theory of Everything. Find out how this conundrum is solved and what<br />it could mean for our understanding of the universe. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[newtonian]

odysseus- Thanks for the heads up.<br /><br />So, do you consider any of the string theories are on the right track or dimension?<br /><br />Personally, I find it likely there are other dimensions, that there are lengths smaller than planck length and that quarks are not fundemental.<br />I doubt any of the string theories are totally accurate, however.<br /><br />Testing the theories will certainly be interesting.<br /><br />I look forward to the broadcast.<br />Meanwhile, a question:<br /><br />Could the point of intersection of another dimension be very tiny indeed, smaller than planck length at point of intersection, but perhaps larger than an infinitely small singularity?<br /><br />Could, in fact, interactions with such small point contacts be causing virtual particles to appear and disappear from our view?<br />