dot dot is dead

Physics can be fascinating. PBS/Nova's elegant universe series has this amazing presentation on the mysterious M-theory (1995), which united string theory with the concept of membranes. One extra dimension was added to unite several existing 10 dimensional theories. Physicists are enamored with M's 11 dimensions.

According to M, strings of raw eleven dimensional energy comprise our universe, but the 4D strings we know are "tied-down" to the membrane, which is just a huge mass of energy. The key to this theory lies in gravity, which we know is around 30 orders of magnitude weaker than the electrical/magnetic force. By nature, two electrons repel 1.0 × 10³⁰ more than gravity pulls at them, making gravity insignificant for sub-atomic physics. I'm not clear on general relativity, but I remember in physics classes thinking, why's there no "repulsive" gravity force?

The disparity between G and EM forces was a problem for the big bang idea. General relativity equations are nonsense in the early stages. To resolve this, according to M, gravity strings must form closed loops. Gravity is unconfined but weakened by 7 more degrees of freedom.

Scientists at Fermilab and CERN are out to discover evidence of a graviton at the precise moment of escaping our sadly 4D "brane", which floats inside the "bulk" of existence.

The show was produced for those of us lacking math brains. For us, imagine our universe is like jelly on a piece of toast. The bulk is a sliced loaf of bread. Confined to time and space, we're unable to see the other universes, though for all we know they're sitting right next to us -- just turn your head. Could other membranes have more, or fewer dimensions?

Science fiction: we'll search for the existence of independent universes using gravity radio astronomy. This post is dedicated to problem sets all night and Black Lightning all morning.