String Theory, what do you think?

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   annajazzposted 11 years ago

   I love the concept of string theory, and with the recent confirmation of the Higgs boson at CERN the Standard Model is so much closer to application  !
   Muti-dimensions, strings, and a universe that is one great symphony. Oh they joy of it all.
   
   What are peoples takes on this theory? Do people prefer String Theory or possibly Bubble Theory?
   
   Give me your thoughts.

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      JG11Bravoposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Without droning on for hours?  Alright, I'll try.
      
      String theory is one idea among many and no more valid or relevant than any other.  While I do see the potential for validity in String Theory, I do not like that it has become popularized because of a few "cool" ideas that it encompasses.  Most of the people I've discussed it with can only cite the that it "has something to do with the multiverse" and can't even explain the strings that the theory is named after.  Disgusting.

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         annajazzposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         I have to agree. I first looked into it after seeing the film "The Elegant Universe" based on, and narrated, by Brian Greenes book. A film I highly recommend to put these ideas into better perspective. While the topic of multiple dimensions/universes is interesting, it is the hypothesized working of the strings that intrigues me. To think the the whole universe(s) is basically ruled by a melody of interacting Strings smaller than any quark  or boson found. The fact the it is believe that the curvature of the strings is what allows for the perfect alignment of multi-universes. And, then of course, there are the concerns of our expanding universe, possible collisions with other universes, the thought that every action that a person took/ did not take/ could have taken has actually happened somewhere in a different universe. Mind blowing and a sure way to keep me up at night thinking.

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            JG11Bravoposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            The Elegant Universe is a great way to be introduced to the subject.  Greene does an outstanding job of simplifying the theory.  Some of it felt a bit pedantic to me, but overall I enjoyed it a lot.

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   paradigmsearchposted 11 years ago

   Random thoughts...
   
   Strings of what?
   
   Bubbles of what?
   
   If the universe is infinite, then orders of magnitude are infinite. Both as to larger and as to smaller. It never ends in either direction.
   
   My head hurts and I'm going away now.

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      annajazzposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Ahhh infinity such an interesting term. One that I could never quite come to terms with in Calculus.
      
      Basically in the concept of Strings: they are believed (in this theory) to be the makings of everything. Kind of like atoms only smaller. Because they are not a wave nor a particle but a mix of possibly both, many of the leading scientists believe they might be the answer to the Wave–particle duality, seen in the famous double-slit experiment. In which a particle sometimes acts like a wave and a wave a particle. Cool idea.
      
      But I shall strive to not hurt your head with to much geekyness on this subject. It still causes me the occasional head ache lol

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         JG11Bravoposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         My favorite "make your brain hurt" thought follows:
         
         If you accept that the universe is infinite, then you must also accept that every possibility is reality somewhere.  Every single eventuality must exist somewhere.  Meaning that somewhere in the universe there is someone identical to you in every way, who will live his or her life exactly as you do from beginning to end, excluding one day where they chose to wear a white shirt when you chose black.

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   PJEstradaposted 11 years ago

   According to some physician the universe is not infinite... if it was infinite we´ll have infinite stars grouped in a minimum amount of space, and the big bang would not be expanding, but as studies have shown, the universe is expanding, so maybe the universe  infinite and it contained in something bigger... I read that from a famous astrophysicist... I´ll let you now his name when I remember it

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      paradigmsearchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Actually, I think it is possible you are right. The universe may indeed not be infinite.
      
      But if infinity is infinite, then there are an infinite number of universes. And with orders of magnitude being infinite, then there are universes within universes.

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         JG11Bravoposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         To accept that the universe is infinite is to refute the Big Bang Theory, so I'm prone to agree as well.  Abstract ideas like "infinity" bother me anyway, so I'm inclined to say that there is an "end" to the universe, which leads to another series of abstract concepts like the Multiverse theory or the acceptance that beyond the universe there is simply nothing whatsoever.... which makes my brain hurt.

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