String Theory

Started by Vetus Ordo, July 22, 2019, 05:51:54 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

Vetus Ordo

Physicist Brian Greene explains superstring theory, the idea that miniscule strands of energy vibrating in 11 dimensions create every particle and force in the universe:

[yt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF4ju6j6aLE[/yt]
DISPOSE OUR DAYS IN THY PEACE, AND COMMAND US TO BE DELIVERED FROM ETERNAL DAMNATION, AND TO BE NUMBERED IN THE FLOCK OF THINE ELECT.

Kreuzritter


Maximilian

Quote from: Vetus Ordo on July 22, 2019, 05:51:54 PM

Physicist Brian Greene explains superstring theory, the idea that miniscule strands of energy vibrating in 11 dimensions create every particle and force in the universe:

1. Interesting talk which did what I hoped it would do: Provide a simple explanation of string theory that a layman can understand.

2. Regarding the conclusion of his talk re. experiments. Six years have already passed since this was posted on Youtube, and Kreuzritter's link says that not only are we not closer to successful experiments, we have reached the point where we are aware that successful experiments are not possible in any foreseeable future.

3. Regarding the middle of his talk, and his Ted talk that comes up next: This whole enterprise is driven by the desire to find an explanation for the fact that "the universe is finely-tuned for life." And so we have ideas like "multi-verses" -- any crazy explanation as long as it doesn't include God.

Vetus Ordo

Quote from: Maximilian on July 23, 2019, 03:38:18 PM
3. Regarding the middle of his talk, and his Ted talk that comes up next: This whole enterprise is driven by the desire to find an explanation for the fact that "the universe is finely-tuned for life." And so we have ideas like "multi-verses" -- any crazy explanation as long as it doesn't include God.

Sadly, that approach has been par for the course for modern science as a whole.

In other words, any explanation that escapes material processes cannot be considered.
DISPOSE OUR DAYS IN THY PEACE, AND COMMAND US TO BE DELIVERED FROM ETERNAL DAMNATION, AND TO BE NUMBERED IN THE FLOCK OF THINE ELECT.

Kreuzritter

Far more sober, intuitive and interesting, imho, without being bogged down in incomprehensible mathematical wizardry (as in even if you can do it, it's cognitively meaningless formalism) and hearkens back to ideas laid out by Hans Reichenbach in The Direction of Time. But then it's not the stuff of crypto-pseudo-metaphysics like string theory that wows the readers of New Scientist.





Daniel

What's the difference between string theory and superstring theory?

gsas

Mathematically, this is almost like sampling a reality to arrive at our physical reality.  The sampling rate is reflected by the vibration frequencies of the strings.  Super scary.