Brian Greene: The universe on a string

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n clear, nontechnical language, string theorist Brian Greene explains how our understanding of the universe has evolved from Einstein's notions of gravity and space-time to superstring theory, where minuscule strands of energy vibrating in 11 dimensions create every particle and force in the universe. (This mind-bending theory may soon be put to the test at the Large Hadron Collider in Geneva.)

Channel: Science & Technology
Uploaded: April 23, 2008 at 5:30 pm
Author: TEDtalksDirector

Length: 00:19:07
Rating: 4.90
Views: 76332

Tags: Brian Green ted tedtalks Physics science Universe

Video Comments:
dnp97001 (September 30, 2008 at 6:47 am)
existence of extra dimensions is a consistency requirement of string theory. So its a prediction. The existence of antimatter was predicted by the dirac equation. this prediction was later verified experimentally. extra dimensions may be verified at least indirectly at the LHC
PanamaZipper (September 28, 2008 at 11:46 am)
Amazing....
ripptjeans (September 21, 2008 at 1:27 pm)
I see these strings. I wasn't able to see them until I was breast feeding and had spent many hours focusing on tiny microscopic strands of milk that I was self-expressing into bottles for my son. After doing this 2 months straight, and about ever two hour, my eyes were trained to focus on tiny strands of strings (such as the milk). i first saw them after a release of oxytocin in my system -- they are criss-crossed perfectly, in a diagonal pattern about 2 inches apart
meakhbar (September 25, 2008 at 12:33 am)
@ripptjeans

What? criss-crossed perfectly? Two inches apart? That is not possible. These strands you are talking about usually appear parallel. Can you publicize some pictures?

Breast-feeding is the most peculiar mind-changing phenomenon, (ehm, ok, maybe child-birth is more peculiar. Isn't it strange you forget how bad the agony was?).

But after a while, you should become normal again.
xtremegraphicdesign (September 25, 2008 at 1:08 am)
They ARE parallel....and have other strings connecting to them, just like a diagonal grid. They looked like spider-webs, and almost appeared to blink or VIBRATE... when I was high in my "oxytocin" phase, I could see them best and more patches when there was a lightning storm....which made me think they were some kind of "static". They tightened up and made these "capsuls" around the stuff moving through them, like shells around the matter.

normal is a dull place to be...
Cromulus420 (October 1, 2008 at 8:48 am)
You don't see them, you are just in a different state of mind. If scientists with the most powerful sensors known to man can't yet see them, you and your breastfeeding are not going to see them either. Good luck to your kid.
SuperRobot46k (September 21, 2008 at 11:09 am)
The God vs. Science debate is very silly and futile.

People think of God in an improper context. The "traditional" view is outmoded, outdated. God isn't a man in the sky. God is a force that manifests itself, that's right, ITSELF, throughout everything. It is indifferent to man. It is indifferent to time. Or space. Or good or evil.

It just is. It is the way. Nietzsche called it eternal recurrence. Taoists call it "the way".

Stop arguing and start cooperating people. We haven't much "time".
pepper1450 (September 21, 2008 at 4:42 pm)
Good point, people need to end the science vs. religion debate, it's retarded. Science and God can coexist peacefully.
meakhbar (September 25, 2008 at 12:37 am)
@SuperRobot46k

"The God vs. Science debate is very silly and futile. "

Okay, so you will convert to Islam after you have read this?

If all people are Muslim, then there will be peace.

Stop arguing SuperRobot46k, become a Muslim. We haven't much "time".
tvstvs (October 3, 2008 at 10:31 pm)
Lol what you've done is simply redefine god to fit science. For centuries now, believers have always done this - when new science comes along, they first refuse to believe it, and when the proof hits them in the face and there's no other option, they redefine god to fit the data. It's so pathetic.