Why String Theory is Right

Some see string theory as the one great hope for a theory of everything – that it will unite quantum mechanics and gravity and so unify all of physics into one glorious theory.

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Hosted by Matt O'Dowd
Written by Matt O'Dowd
Graphics by Luke Maroldi
Assistant Editing and Sound Design by Mike Petrow

Why has string theory been the obsession of a generation of theoretical physicists? What exactly is so compelling about tiny, vibrating strings? In our last string theory episode I talked about what these things really are, and covered some history. In short: the strings of string theory are literal strands and loops that vibrate with standing waves. Simply by changing the vibrational mode you get different particles – analogous to how different vibrational modes on guitar strings gives different notes. And, by the way, strings exist in 6 compact spatial dimensions on top of the familiar 3.

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سلطان الخليفي

[thejesuschrist]

Personally, I would like to see more peer reviewed evidence. Until then, it’s fun to think about.

[bookdream]

The most consistently high quality / high information / highly illuminating physics videos on YouTube, I wish this level of free content was out when I was younger.

[gandalf_thegrey]

"Quantum mechanics can't tell us if anybody cares"

This made me laugh out loud, it's was so perfectly executed.

[zoralink]

PBS Space Time: Why String Theory is right
Also PBS Space Time: Why String Theory is wrong
Schrödingers cat: and i thought i was weird

[LeonMartins]

I'm actually intrigued with the string theory, but any time I think about it I still ear the sentence of R.P.Feynman:'' It doesn't matter how beautiful your theory is, it doesn't matter how smart you are. If it doesn't agree with experiment, it's wrong.''

[sinecurve]

"The main job of theoretical physics is to prove yourself wrong as soon as possible." Richard Feynman

[joelewis]

me : I should sleep early tonight
me at 3am : why string theory is correct

[maximbogdanovic]

Everything is vibrations, I really saw that while on acid

[davidroddini]

I would like to see a video/series on the 4 alternative theories to string theory:
1. Loop Quantum Gravity
2. Asymptotically Safe Gravity
3. Causal Dynamical Triangulations and
4. Emergent gravity

It would be interesting to see what advantages/disadvantages each has in comparison to String Theory

[kobiromano]

OMG that joke at the end was the best physics joke in history. Possibly due to the flawless delivery. It's like the entire video was a setup in a serious voice for one single joke.
I am as much a comedian as I am a quantum physicist, but you sir, are both.

[bbket]

the guy in the video: Schrödingers equation is the easiest one
me: starts sweating nervously...

[daystocomeofficial]

I just wanna appreciate the fact that somehow this madlad always finds a way to Segway his script into the ending word "spacetime" EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

[quahntasy]

It is said that papers in string theory are published at a rate greater than the speed of light. This, however, is not problematic since no information is being transmitted.

Geeks will get the joke.


I am sorry lol.

[mattomanx]

That last bit, "Quantum mechanics can't tell us whether anyone cares"
Golden!

[sdgfasdf]

I feel like I need a PhD in all the PhDs to understand this

[pluspiping]

I was very into physics, the universe, and cosmology in the 90s and 00s in gradeschool and college. If this channel had been around back then, I would have been OBSESSED. I'm subscribing right now!!
Instead, back then, we only had Kingdom Hearts Random Crap videos on YouTube
...Which was a great fun time, but it did not teach me about string theory lol

[mikenorval]

It feels right ... then again so do cheeseburgers

[Dinoenthusiastguy]

I absolutely adore this series. As an undergrad in physics, I find it difficult to find people describing advanced physics theories without either being overly qualitative and "pop-sci" or it going right over my head, but the level of these videos is just perfect!

[bagusnaga]

Watching tall Peter Dinklage explaining string theory just made my day

[joshshaw]

I missed the part that explained why string theory is right.