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An introduction to the interesting topic of super string theory written by a real expert. The first 5 chapters are dedicated to Relativity and quantum mechanics with emphasys on why they are not each other consistent.
Parts of this book weren't easy reading for me, but on the whole I found the book's in-depth explanations and desciptions well within my reach. A great read for anyone insterested in string theory, perhaps the most important theory of our time.And yes, the book is well-written.
In a generation blessed with so many real, provable, and practically applied scientific breakthoughs in practically every branch, this looks all pretty limp. Firstly, to the books credit, the author did a valient attempt to introduce the reader to the an intrinsically mathematical subject without the resorting to mathematical proofs. The problem is with the string theory itself, or at least how it was presented. The author in fact concedes that in order to prove anything here, you would need to develop a collider, which to some authorities would have to be the size of the entire known universe. For a much broader synopsis on what is and has been happening in theoretical physics over the past 100 years, I would highly recommend "The Trouble With Physics" by Lee Smolin. The theory may be elegant, but has of yet no real experimental proof.
You will find "discovery" of theories on theories to bolster the belief in previous failing "buzzword compatible" theories. It is a very good primer. Read the book. On the contrary, everything showing up by experiment has brought the theory back to the drawing board. The book failed to convince me that there is any reason in fact to believe in string theory at all. Then decide for yourself.
It is well balanced, highly intriguing, and conveys the feeling and fervour of a world wide effort to solve natures deepest secrets.
My favorite moment in this book is Greene's simple explanation of why under Einstein's relativity we cannot exceed c (the speed of light) with respect to another object. (The reason is that the four vectors (dimensions) of space-time must add up to the speed of light. In other words, time passes at c among objects not moving with respect to each other - when their three vectors of space sum to zero. Oh, and the rest of the book is pretty good, too.
This is the core problem underlying this theory and for now it is a fascinating mathematical construct with no testable way of proving it right or wrong.The book is mentally challenging, but for those interested in what may be the next 'great idea' it is very interesting and thought provoking. Roughly half of the book explains how far science has come in understanding the structure of the universe, from the smallest to the largest objects.The other half of the book deals with the next great theory on the horizon and its proposed tenets which are vastly more complex than those underlying relativity and quantum mechanics. Superstring or M theory seeks to reconcile the two opposing theories of quantum mechanics and relativity. That fact alone causes one to take the entire premise with a grain of salt and shrug.
Greene does a fantastic job of trying to explain the abstract concepts behind both of the divergent theories and doesn't shy away from admitting that one or both may be flawed and that string theory itself may be totally wrong. This book outlines one of the most seductive theories in physics today. The great debate here is not whether the math is good enough, but whether the theory even applies to our universe and if so, whether or not experiments can verify it sometime in the near future. Smolin in 'The Problem with Physics' in which he discusses why string theory may not be correct and may in fact be philosophy masquerading as science. Dr.
For now, theory is way ahead of technology and likely to stay that way for the foreseeable future. After I had finished this book, I had a vague sense of unease with the entire theory, but I wasn't able to express what it was until I read Smolin's book in which he claims that the theory may be a convoluted hoax that scientists have devoted whole careers to. Dr. Ultimately, no one knows how to reconcile relativity with quantum mechanics and this appears to be next great stumbling block. Greene does the best he can to explain a theory that is mostly mathematical in everyday terms and is successful for the most part.There are problems, especially as this book was written before the discovery that the expansion of the universe is accelerating, something string theory does not predict and can't account for.
Greene is also truthful in explaining that string theory is untestable and the equations underlying it have not been written yet. A great counter argument is provided by Dr. Physics is at a major crossroads to say the least.
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