Ye Olde Rad Blog

I've been watching the Nova special on String Theory titled: The Elegant Universe. String theory is a new model of the universe that attempts to resolve the differences between (unify) Quantum Field Theory (based on Quantum Mechanics) and Einstein's General Relativity. The best explanation of String Theory (called M-theory by some) is found here: A Theory of Everything.

The show is hosted by Brian Greene, a professor of Physics at Columbia University (NYC) who wrote the best-selling book similarly titled: The Elegant Universe. He does an excellent job of explaining concepts so the average person can understand them.

String Theory is still only a theory. It hasn't been proven yet. Some say it never will. But it has much mathematical support behind it, which provides promise. Yet it would suk to spend your whole life studying something, only to discover on your deathbed that your theory was wrong. Here is the Official String Theory site. More here.

String Theory says the universe is comprised of of tiny, vibrating strings of energy. The theory requires parallel universes and 11 dimensions: the 3 we already know, 1 for time, and the rest, which are known as "degrees of freedom". Uh, okay. Stretch my brain.

I love this kind of stuff because it's so intellectually stimulating. It's something you can sink your intellectual teeth into and give your brain a little exercise. I'd like to watch the shows (there are more than one episode) a few times each to absorb it all.

Back in school, I had a professor (Dr. Wolfe) who taught Applied Mathematics for nuclear physics. Ten minutes before class would end, he'd glance at his watch and say, "Okay, put your books away. You don't have know this," and would proceed to delve into wild, cutting edge physics. That was the best part of class. It literally made my head spin. One time I stood up after class ended and almost fell over .. like when you spin around for a minute and then stop.