Let's Talk String Theory

[SVT Cobra]

How did they arrive at this theory? I understand the different spatial demensions (the numbers debated of course), but what type of thought process made them think this.

Second, what would life be like if we lived in the 5th dimension? Kind of like trying to invent a new color.

 

[futuristicmonkey]

There's an excellent author out there, Brian Greene, who had a series on Nova and has a few books out right now on this subject, for about 10$ each. Check your local book store for Elegant Universe and Fabric of the Cosmos (I think that's the name). He specializes in dumbing this stuff down for the normal people among us.

As for the 5th dimension...what about the 8th? or the 9th? You can have as many dimensions as you want as long as they mathematically make sense. Trying to understand them, however, is a whole 'nother ball game. <-- paraphrased from Elegant Universe.

 

[Born2bwire]

Originally posted by: SVT Cobra
How did they arrive at this theory?

My money's on alcohol. Lots and lots of alcohol.

 

[rgwalt]

String theory is not a theory because it cannot be tested...

R

 

[CycloWizard]

Originally posted by: rgwalt
String theory is not a theory because it cannot be tested...

R

We don't know how to test it yet. That's different from saying that it can't be tested. Most of what Einstein proposed couldn't be tested until after long after he had published the theory.

 

[Net]

PBS did a special on string theory called "The elegant universe." I enjoyed it.
Since it was on tv I think it is legal to downlod the torrent. go check it out.

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: net
PBS did a special on string theory called "The elegant universe." I enjoyed it.
Since it was on tv I think it is legal to downlod the torrent. go check it out.

Thanks I will.

How about that book Flatlanders...any good?

 

[CoachB]

As I understand it, if string theory is true, we ARE living in the 5th (8th,9th) dimensions. We just can't perceive it with our limited senses.

 

[adagar121987]

What about the Membrane theory?
Which states that the universe is made of many strings.

 

[Net]

I haven't read flatlanders but a friend of mine has and he recommended that I read it.

 

[f95toli]

Originally posted by: adagar121987
What about the Membrane theory?
Which states that the universe is made of many strings.

brane theory is a part of string theory (instead of a string the "basic object" is a brane but the basic ideas are the same).

 

[DrPizza]

Originally posted by: net
PBS did a special on string theory called "The elegant universe." I enjoyed it.
Since it was on tv I think it is legal to downlod the torrent. go check it out.

Actually, it's available on the PBS site (from the station in Boston) in a streaming format. Not available for download due to copyright issues. I have a few other links on my computer at school with video/interviews with the pioneers of string theory; some of the videos do a pretty good job explaining just how it all came together.