I just saw this episode aired on the Discovery-Science channel in the US, January 2007. It was very informative as to giving a general explanation of super-string and m theory in theoretical physics. The episode gives some history of the development of string theory and m theory, then goes on to show how m theory posits the existence of other universes, and how this might explain the big bang. The episode includes appearances by some of the theoretical physicists key in String and M-theory including Michio Kaku, Michael Duff, Burt Ovrut, and Paul Steinhardt. I was surprised not to see Brian Greene in the episode, but of course, he was probably busy promoting his own book, "The Elegant Universe" and writing the 2003 mini-series of the same name. I, however, found the "Parallel Universes" episode to be much more informative even given the much shorter runtime and apparent earlier release date.
3 Reviews
M Theory for Dummies
cathairetic2 January 2007
I saw 'Parallel Universes' some time ago and was absolutely fascinated with how the origin of our universe was explained. It was like a light bulb going on in my head. The big bang now made sense to me. At the time I didn't pay attention to the title and was unable to locate the film again. Recently the Discovery Science Channel aired this film in a block of features about the latest discoveries in cosmology.
The film deals with the development of string theories v. the theory of super gravity. The five various string theories postulated ten dimensions while the super gravity theory postulated eleven dimensions. It was discovered that if there are eleven dimensions (ten plus time as a dimension), all these theories merge into one theory that makes sense and where everything works. It is called M theory or Membrane theory. I won't go into the details here. Suffice it to say, the physics of cosmology became much more accessible to me as I watched this film and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the mechanics of the creation of our universe.
The film deals with the development of string theories v. the theory of super gravity. The five various string theories postulated ten dimensions while the super gravity theory postulated eleven dimensions. It was discovered that if there are eleven dimensions (ten plus time as a dimension), all these theories merge into one theory that makes sense and where everything works. It is called M theory or Membrane theory. I won't go into the details here. Suffice it to say, the physics of cosmology became much more accessible to me as I watched this film and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the mechanics of the creation of our universe.
Interesting
Blueghost26 May 2015
A fairly decent BBC documentary on the state of High Energy and Theoretical Physics circa just before 2002, which discusses M-theory and, as the name suggests, the possibility of parallel universes. NOVA would revisit these same topics a few years later with Brian Greene "The Elegant Universe", which I found to be a bit more insightful than what was encapsulated here.
The documentary gives the overall view of physics, of how the universe began, how it got to where it is today, and some of the mysteries or roadblocks that inhibited scientists of discovering how the universe got to be where it is today.
One of the postulations from all this theorizing and occasional experimenting, is that according to the math atoms, or rather their constituent particles, can go off in other directions from an action. The idea is that if an atom goes in one physical direction, then according to the math, it also went in another physical direction on another vibrational plane. In layman's speak; if you decided to take a drink of water, then, in another universe, the atoms that make up your hand, actually did not reach for that glass of water, but continued writing or typing or whatever it is your hand was doing, but in a universe that is parallel, or existing side by side, with our own.
My problem with this theory is that if an atom or proton or neutron or whatever, is said to exist in the same dimensional space as another atom in another plane of existence, then, by definition, the two atoms need to be near the same locus for this theory to be true, if not duplicating the actions of the parallel universe they're said to be existing next to. Otherwise that atom cannot be occupying the same dimensional space.
In lay-speak, the atoms that comprise you, your house, your computer keyboard, your car, anything around your or beyond, if they have a parallel yet alternate existence, then how can that atom radically occupy two different spaces if it's not in the same space to begin with? That is if there's another universe where the dinosaurs didn't die, and the atoms in your body are also vibrating in that dinosaur Earth universe, then, by definition, the atoms are not occupying the same space, because it takes a lot more atoms (and a few different ones I suspect) to make up a dinosaur than make you. Further, there are more dinosaur atoms occupying space that is not occupied in your universe's space. I therefore think the "all possible alternatives take place" theory is not fully vetted.
Regardless, it is a very fascinating look at what has really inspired both scientists and science fiction writers alike. I find it highly interesting and compelling to explore the possibility of other existences, and, further, the concept of how we might go explore those. That stuff really fires the imagination. But, even with NOVA and Brian Greene doing a lay-person update on this topic a few years back, I'm not fully convinced of the theories put forth.
Still, it is an interesting watch. Again, if you want something that's a bit more updated, then check out "The Elegant Universe" or "The Fabric of the Cosmos". Both are highly recommended if you like this kind of science show.
The documentary gives the overall view of physics, of how the universe began, how it got to where it is today, and some of the mysteries or roadblocks that inhibited scientists of discovering how the universe got to be where it is today.
One of the postulations from all this theorizing and occasional experimenting, is that according to the math atoms, or rather their constituent particles, can go off in other directions from an action. The idea is that if an atom goes in one physical direction, then according to the math, it also went in another physical direction on another vibrational plane. In layman's speak; if you decided to take a drink of water, then, in another universe, the atoms that make up your hand, actually did not reach for that glass of water, but continued writing or typing or whatever it is your hand was doing, but in a universe that is parallel, or existing side by side, with our own.
My problem with this theory is that if an atom or proton or neutron or whatever, is said to exist in the same dimensional space as another atom in another plane of existence, then, by definition, the two atoms need to be near the same locus for this theory to be true, if not duplicating the actions of the parallel universe they're said to be existing next to. Otherwise that atom cannot be occupying the same dimensional space.
In lay-speak, the atoms that comprise you, your house, your computer keyboard, your car, anything around your or beyond, if they have a parallel yet alternate existence, then how can that atom radically occupy two different spaces if it's not in the same space to begin with? That is if there's another universe where the dinosaurs didn't die, and the atoms in your body are also vibrating in that dinosaur Earth universe, then, by definition, the atoms are not occupying the same space, because it takes a lot more atoms (and a few different ones I suspect) to make up a dinosaur than make you. Further, there are more dinosaur atoms occupying space that is not occupied in your universe's space. I therefore think the "all possible alternatives take place" theory is not fully vetted.
Regardless, it is a very fascinating look at what has really inspired both scientists and science fiction writers alike. I find it highly interesting and compelling to explore the possibility of other existences, and, further, the concept of how we might go explore those. That stuff really fires the imagination. But, even with NOVA and Brian Greene doing a lay-person update on this topic a few years back, I'm not fully convinced of the theories put forth.
Still, it is an interesting watch. Again, if you want something that's a bit more updated, then check out "The Elegant Universe" or "The Fabric of the Cosmos". Both are highly recommended if you like this kind of science show.
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