A Theory of Everything

[Julia]

This is so cool!

Check out the links to the animations and graphics on the right side of the page.

8) 8)!

A Theory of Everything?
Some physicists believe string theory may unify the forces of nature
by Brian Greene (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/elegant/everything.html)

From the article:

The fundamental particles of the universe that physicists have identified—electrons, neutrinos, quarks, and so on—are the "letters" of all matter. Just like their linguistic counterparts, they appear to have no further internal substructure. String theory proclaims otherwise. According to string theory, if we could examine these particles with even greater precision—a precision many orders of magnitude beyond our present technological capacity—we would find that each is not pointlike but instead consists of a tiny, one-dimensional loop. Like an infinitely thin rubber band, each particle contains a vibrating, oscillating, dancing filament that physicists have named a string.

[WCP]

Hey, I used to hang out with a Brian Greene who was a physicist at the U back in the early 80's. I wonder if it's the same person. Do you have a link?


From her link provided...

Brian Greene
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/elegant/images/ever_greene2.jpg

[vellaity]

There was a great PBS series a couple of weeks ago. I didn't catch enough of it though. I'm not sure if this was it:

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/hawking/html/home.html

[BrandonL]

I watched that show on PBS a few weeks back. VERY interesting.

[vellaity]

I watched that show on PBS a few weeks back. VERY interesting.


I was meaning to look it up on the PBS website but didn't get to it. Do you recall what that series was?

[BrandonL]

NOVA, "Elegant Universe"

[Julia]

NOVA, "Elegant Universe"


The link above is one page of the "Elegant Universe."

Here is the main page (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/elegant/)

I'm bummed that I missed the show. :( The site is really cool, though.

[Julia]

There was a great PBS series a couple of weeks ago. I didn't catch enough of it though. I'm not sure if this was it:

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/hawking/html/home.html


Thanks for the link, velleity. That's a cool site, too. Hawking fascinates me. Did you know someone has been trying to kill him? The last time, he was locked in his garden on one of the hottest days of summer. They suspect(ed) his wife, but he insists she is innocent. :-\

I don't know if he still believes this - because he does change his mind when he finds new evidence or information - but he has said that there may not be a "beginning of the universe and everything in it."

Perhaps there was no beginning...it just always "was." I believe he made that point at a speech he was giving at the Vatican. :o Maybe I'll look his explanation later... It had something to do with seeing the "beginning" as a curve rather than a point.

[kathleen]

I'm bummed that I missed the show. :( The site is really cool, though.


The site is really cool, Julia.

The documentary series was fantastic. Very well done. Saw it on PBS a year or so ago. Brian Greene is a real sweetheart. Not only does he look good (yum yum ;)) he's smart as hell. He really takes the time to explain difficult concepts and makes them easy to understand in the series. The use of animations and graphics was also superb.

All in all, an excellent documentary series. I highly recommend it. :)

Sorry you of all people missed it. :(

I'm positive you would have enjoyed it as much as I did. :D

[Julia]

I'm positive you would have enjoyed it as much as I did. :D


Maybe I could find it at the library on video or dvd.

I don't have any science classes this semester so I'm kinda bummed. :(

[WCP]

I don't have any science classes this semester so I'm kinda bummed. :(


Is there something preventing you from taking an on-line class from an accredited university?

[Julia]

Is there something preventing you from taking an on-line class from an accredited university?


No, actually my English classes both last semester and this semester are online. I did well with the online class last semester.

I just can't fit the science into my schedule this semester. I have trig, though. 8)

I'm taking Chemistry in the summer and in the fall. 8) :)

[WCP]

I just can't fit the science into my schedule this semester. I have trig, though. 8)

Mathematics is the highest science there is. Everything we "do" is mathematics down to figuring out picking up a bit of food on a fork and spoon and transporting it to our mouths.

Everything is math...all languages, walking, talking, speaking, touching.

[Julia]

Mathematics is the highest science there is. Everything we "do" is mathematics down to figuring out picking up a bit of food on a fork and spoon and transporting it to our mouths.

Everything is math...all languages, walking, talking, speaking, touching.


I'm finding language kind of hard. I mean, I still pretty much get A's...but after 3 semesters, I feel like I know nothing. :( I don't use it, though...

But it's not too bad. I enjoy it. And I am good at math; you're right...it's just math, too. 8) :D