String Theory Explained Simply.

[Suzy]

I came across this brilliant video of Brian Greene explaining in very simple terms what String Theory is all about. It's a 19 minute video, so make yourself comfy. Brian Greene is one of the most famous string theorists around and he has a knack of explaining things so they are fairly easy to understand. He is also author of the famous book "The Elegant Universe" (amongst others) and the documentary series of the same name.

As many people don't fully comprehend what String Theory is all about, I have posted this link here instead of the science forum, thereby being available to a wider audience. (Mods I hope you don't mind). Enjoy, I am sure you will have a better understanding after watching!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtdE662eY_M

[sjastro]

Originally Posted by Suzy

I came across this brilliant video of Brian Greene explaining in very simple terms what String Theory is all about. It's a 19 minute video, so make yourself comfy. Brian Greene is one of the most famous string theorists around and he has a knack of explaining things so they are fairly easy to understand. He is also author of the famous book "The Elegant Universe" (amongst others) and the documentary series of the same name.

As many on here don't fully comprehend what String Theory is all about, I have posted this link here instead of the science forum, thereby being available to a wider audience. (Mods I hope you don't mind). Enjoy, I am sure you will have a better understanding after watching!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtdE662eY_M

Is this the series where Craig's hero Ed Witten make a cameo?

Steven

[Suzy]

No Steven it's not, but if it were, we may have had to throw a bucket of water over Craig & take his pulse rate.

He is on stage explaining the theory to an audience with some assistance from graphics, no guests.

[astroron (Ron)]

Originally Posted by Suzy

I came across this brilliant video of Brian Greene explaining in very simple terms what String Theory is all about. It's a 19 minute video, so make yourself comfy. Brian Greene is one of the most famous string theorists around and he has a knack of explaining things so they are fairly easy to understand. He is also author of the famous book "The Elegant Universe" (amongst others) and the documentary series of the same name.

As many people don't fully comprehend what String Theory is all about, I have posted this link here instead of the science forum, thereby being available to a wider audience. (Mods I hope you don't mind). Enjoy, I am sure you will have a better understanding after watching!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtdE662eY_M

It will take me about an hour to down load it so will have to do it after 11:clock tonight

[sjastro]

Originally Posted by Suzy

No Steven it's not, but if it were, we may have had to throw a bucket of water over Craig & take his pulse rate.

He is on stage explaining the theory to an audience with some assistance from graphics, no guests.

That's very unfortunate. Ed Witten has been described as the guy who can walk into a conference full of geniuses and make them feel stupid.

Steven

[CraigS]

Hey thanks Suzy;

I find Brian Greene to be one of the best theoretical physics presenters around. He's also the genuine article. Ed Witten is simply 'out there'.
I'm really glad these sorts of people are where they are, thinking about these kinds of things and talking about them to the general public.

Interesting that you chose to launch the thread here. Might as well make the most of it, go for broke, and ask folk whether they find this kind of material interesting or too 'pie in the sky'. I, for one, am interested in getting some feedback from the broader audience out there.

I'm also interested to know whether IIS folk think string theory or M-theory might ultimately satisfy desires to understand 'it all'.

I look forward to comments/feedback.

Thanks for launching the thread.

Cheers & Regards to all.

[michaellxv (Michael)]

After watching The Elegant Universe recently I finally got a basic understanding of where string theory fits in with the scheme of things. If its right it opens up lots of interesting posibilities.

As I don't understand any of the details behind it I would say I have an open mind.

[bartman (Bart)]

Originally Posted by CraigS

Hey thanks Suzy;

I find Brian Greene to be one of the best theoretical physics presenters around. He's also the genuine article. Ed Witten is simply 'out there'.
I'm really glad these sorts of people are where they are, thinking about these kinds of things and talking about them to the general public.

Interesting that you chose to launch the thread here. Might as well make the most of it, go for broke, and ask folk whether they find this kind of material interesting or too 'pie in the sky'. I, for one, am interested in getting some feedback from the broader audience out there.

I'm also interested to know whether IIS folk think string theory or M-theory might ultimately satisfy desires to understand 'it all'.

I look forward to comments/feedback.

Thanks for launching the thread.

Cheers & Regards to all.

Originally Posted by Suzy

I came across this brilliant video of Brian Greene explaining in very simple terms what String Theory is all about. It's a 19 minute video, so make yourself comfy. Brian Greene is one of the most famous string theorists around and he has a knack of explaining things so they are fairly easy to understand. He is also author of the famous book "The Elegant Universe" (amongst others) and the documentary series of the same name.

As many people don't fully comprehend what String Theory is all about, I have posted this link here instead of the science forum, thereby being available to a wider audience. (Mods I hope you don't mind). Enjoy, I am sure you will have a better understanding after watching!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtdE662eY_M

To both Suzy and Craig S.,
Both of you have posted some interesting stuff that I am really interested in. Some of it goes way beyond my knowledge ( Craig) and some I can cope with ( Suzy - from memory you are reading books about theories et al ?).

One thing though... Is that every time I read a post like this or watch a vid , I learn and UNDERSTAND just that little more. I look forward to these "tid bits". Even if I cant understand half of it, I still read/listen to the end ....each time picking up something and putting it together with other bits I've learned.

To answer Craig whether "IIS folk think string theory or M-theory might ultimately satisfy desires to understand 'it all'."..... well in a way.
I like the idea/theory. He says that atoms are made of quorks and quorks are then made of strings of energy. So what energy is this?. And how does this string of energy 'know' at what frequency to resonate at?

Mind boggling stuff!

Bring it on I say

Please keep this sort of stuff coming and yes, put them on general chat. That way more folks might pick it up!

Cheers, Thanks Suzy! and Craig

Bartman

[CraigS]

Originally Posted by bartman

To both Suzy and Craig S.,
Both of you have posted some interesting stuff that I am really interested in. Some of it goes way beyond my knowledge ( Craig) and some I can cope with ( Suzy - from memory you are reading books about theories et al ?).

One thing though... Is that every time I read a post like this or watch a vid , I learn and UNDERSTAND just that little more. I look forward to these "tid bits". Even if I cant understand half of it, I still read/listen to the end ....each time picking up something and putting it together with other bits I've learned.

To answer Craig whether "IIS folk think string theory or M-theory might ultimately satisfy desires to understand 'it all'."..... well in a way.
I like the idea/theory. He says that atoms are made of quorks and quorks are then made of strings of energy. So what energy is this?. And how does this string of energy 'know' at what frequency to resonate at?

Mind boggling stuff!

Bring it on I say

Please keep this sort of stuff coming and yes, put them on general chat. That way more folks might pick it up!

Cheers, Thanks Suzy! and Craig

Bartman

Hi Bart (we finally meet face-to-face, eh ? );

Thank you for some encouragement on all this. You've kinda made my day - thanks.

I am finding it increasingly difficult to talk about these complex areas not because of the subject matter, but because it seems that whenever we start up, someone either comes along and turns the discussion into non-sensical pseudoscience, or they accuse us of being some kind of weirdos or aliens, for attempting to explain it.

Your questions are good ones. I won't try to answer them in detail, (Steven's the man for this), but all matter possesses the same 'type' of energy - no difference for strings. The frequency of resonation is determined by the laws and principles of Quantum Mechanics (described by the equations). These things vibrate naturally (like an oscillator circuit) as a result of their interactions with the environment they live in and the believed 10 dimensions down at that level for Superstrings. (.. Or, 11 dimensions for branes in M-Theory .. the next step along).

Hope this helps.

Cheers

[bartman (Bart)]

Craig, I hear you!,*

"I am finding it increasingly difficult to talk about these complex areas not because of the subject matter, but because it seems that whenever we start up, someone either comes along and turns the discussion into non-sensical pseudoscience, or they accuse us of being some kind of weirdos or aliens, for attempting to explain it."

*you have started a post and this happens.....arrow pointing up to the quote above....hehehe cant find an emoticon for that....

Even so, keep them coming!, whenever I look at the new posts for the day as soon as I see one from you, I know I need to look at it cause it just has stuff I might glean some info from. ( NOT to say that other contributors haven't got something to say.... - Suzy )

I like to think these "things/theories" through, and yes I find it hard to make sense when the post goes awol....
Bartman

Hey Craig, I hope you are not confusing me with Bart - Bartholemew- hypnosomthing? - "Hi Bart (we finally meet face-to-face, eh ? http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/....es/happy19.gif );"
I'm guessing you mean just from other posts....

[Suzy]

Originally Posted by bartman

( Suzy - from memory you are reading books about theories et al ?).

Hi Bart, yes I am. Reading and watching documentaries - trying to come to grips with it all!

Thank you for the encouragement and the lovely comments. I am very glad you are enjoying the information. I hope you visit us in the Books & Media section as we cover a fair bit of this there too, in particular with the Foxtel thread. Look forward to you joining us there, along with others. I have a couple of interesting posts to make there soon, so keep an eye out.
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=65558
If you can get a hold of this series when it comes out on dvd, it will be a wealth of helpful information for you. The show is presented in a way that is easy to understand (thanks in part to the breathtakingly amazing graphics), yet not so simplistic that one gets bored. It definitely gets you thinking and the information is very current.

[Osirisra (Ken)]

I'm a docco junky, cant get enough.

Seen quite a few on string theory and read a few articles on the subject and as most people, I only really understand 'the basics' I find it fascinating stuff!.

[CraigS]

Originally Posted by bartman

Hey Craig, I hope you are not confusing me with Bart - Bartholemew- hypnosomthing? - "Hi Bart (we finally meet face-to-face, eh ? http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/....es/happy19.gif );"
I'm guessing you mean just from other posts....

Yep .. just mean meeting on the basis of no particular contexts .. other than a good ol' yarn.

I'd never confuse you with that other Bart guy .. you're the original Bartman !
And I much prefer your avatar, too !!

Cheers

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Yeah, I find some of it interesting.
But what urks me is how the general public 'expect' me to know all the answers to the Universe

"I am an Amateur Astronomer. It's a hobby folks! I like to look through a telescope and take pictures"

I get asked all sorts of Cosmological questions, UFO questions, Astrophysics, Astrobiology, even questions about what is in NASA's Rocket Fuel

Amazing isn't it, that as soon as we say we do 'Astronomy' we get labelled as Space and Astro Science experts

HELLLP!

[bartman (Bart)]

YES Suzy, I've been looking forward to the " how the universe works" . I had a quick look on youtube but the quality sucks....like you said DVD is the go. [dont have foxT]

CRAIG
thank you
"Yep .. just mean meeting on the basis of no particular contexts .. other than a good ol' yarn.
I'd never confuse you with that other Bart guy .. you're the original Bartman !
And I much prefer your avatar, too !!"

And I love a good ol' yarn too

KEN
I have the same thing at work.... Once I told them I have a big scope etc it was " so can you see Uranus" .... etcetc... And they think you are a computer expert because you own a scope!!!!

I look through a telescope and see what was, what would be and what will be !
Getting to know how this all happened is the task at hand.
I hope that one day I'll be able to contribute - through looking at the posts on IIS- to solving and understanding 10/11 DIMENSIONS???????
Bartman

[CraigS]

Just looking at Ken's and Bart's replies, has me interested.

I don't know how I could look through a scope and not want to know more.

Its always been that way for me. Perhaps it all effected me deeply when I was a kid or something, but I never could just be satisfied with looking at something and leaving it at that.

The thing that drives me is wanting understand what it is that I'm looking at.

Does this disqualify me from being an Amateur ?

Cheers

[Suzy]

Ken, I think telescopes can make us look intelligent. Come to think of it, i do feel rather important behind one

Astronomy is so incredibly diverse isn't it?! For example, when visually looking at say Alpha Centauri. You can't help but need to know how far away it is. Then bingo- what's that? Oiy I see a double star system. Next the thoughts go to what causes double star systems, then upon further investigation it is actually a triple system, will they eventually separate, is it a true triple star system (apparently not we now find out), what are stars made of, how long do stars take to get made, how long will it take to travel to this next system, when the giant stars die then at what stage is gold formed in s.nova explosions and bang where into astrophysics and cosmology. Before then asking the obvious, how was the universe created, now getting into quantum mechanics. Oiy, I've had to get books covering all different aspects and their coming out of my ...!

I cannot look at something without needing to know its history, and then I go "w-o-w-". For example, it's a doozy just knowing that if the Tarrantula nebula was as close as the Orion nebula isto Earth, it would cast shadows over the earth (it's that bright). I like to "scare" innocent non astronomers with this stuff, it brings me delight. Especially little kids- they're loads of fun to scare. And then I take the poor tykes down even further with my stories of Gamma Rays and Magnetars wiping out life as we know it. Actually, speaking of which, I was watching a doco the other day and it said it appears the early Earth was hit with a Gamma Ray burst. Now this goes into Astro biology because of the evidence surrounding the extinct little critters. Oiy. Very diverse area of science this is, indeed!

[Suzy]

Looks life we posted the same time Craig - ditto!

[CraigS]

Suzy;

I'm with ya.

I've always used whatever I've got, and dedicated myself as much as is possible, to futhering my expertise in those areas I choose to pursue.

Seems to me anyone can do this and I see it all around here at IIS and it makes me really happy to see that in process.

I really have problems when I see it getting disrupted, though.

Cheers

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Originally Posted by CraigS

Just looking at Ken's and Bart's replies, has me interested.

I don't know how I could look through a scope and not want to know more.

Its always been that way for me. Perhaps it all effected me deeply when I was a kid or something, but I never could just be satisfied with looking at something and leaving it at that.

The thing that drives me is wanting understand what it is that I'm looking at.

Does this disqualify me from being an Amateur ?

Cheers

Craig, where is this coming from?

I didn't say I don't want to know. Read carefully before jumping to a conclusion.

I said "the general public 'expect' me to know all the answers"

and what was the very first line I wrote? "Yeah, I find some of it interesting"

When I read your statement you are saying: Amatuers don't want to learn from your words "Does this disqualify me from being an Amateur ?" because you do want to learn.

I know what you mean by thinking through your statement. I didn't jump to the conclusion that you really mean 'amateurs don't want to learn'.

Slow down and read properly before posting answers.