The Other Dimensions

[Jo...]

I have recently read The Elegant Universe but I was left with the niggling question of:

What are the other dimensions??

Previous to reading this book I understood that I lived in a four dimensional universe where I was limited to seeing a 3 dimensional cross section of my life and my choices at any given point in time. Now, having learnt that there are more dimensions "curled up" in Calabi-Yau shapes, I'm left wondering exactly what that means? What are these extra dimensions? Are these the dimensions in which the limitless possible trajectories of a particle are physically explored and they are simply collapsed in my everyday life because by the very nature of me observing my choices and choosing a path they cease to then exist? Or are they dimensions in which space itself would be distorted and changed much like the difference between the 2d world and the 3d world?

Does anyone know of any material I could read that postulates what these extra dimensions might be? I need something more!

[Graybeard]

Hi Jo ...

I think it will make it much easier for you if you change your mindset on how you view dimensions. Dave (Dleviwing), a member of this forum, describes dimensions not as entities or real things but as measurements.

You say you live in a 3d + time world. But the 3d cross section you refer to are simply measurements of left-right up-down etc. They are degrees of freedom if you like.

As well, the book you refer to has a 'degree of sensationalism' all of its own.

Click Here

hope this helped a bit

cool bananas ... greg

[dleviwing]

Hi Jo;
I would suggest you read “The Trouble With Physics” by Lee Smolin. This should help you return to the real universe you left; it will also help you deprogram Dr Greene’s elegant brainwashing.

This is what greg is referring to:
Dimensions And Entities

[AntonioLao]

Going against the grain in the opposite direction physical reality only needed one dimension. These are the one-dimensional threads making up the whole 2D space-time fabric. A closed 3D fabric can isolate into an inner space and outer space and successive concentric spherical shells of closed space-time fabric made the different levels of existence (LOE). We happens to be living in one of these LOE, the sublevel relative to this are the atomic levels while the outer level is the boundary of the visible universe.

[Max™]

The dimensions are an interesting idea.

I don't think they're necessary.

Greene is a passionate writer, but String theory is just a gussied up attempt to make more sense of the problems with quantum mechanics and gravity, which wound up being too elegant and intricate for it's own good.

I do like the matrix theory version of m-theory, and it IS a decent approximation of reality when you remove the strings, but the math is even more ridiculous than normal QFT's are.

[dleviwing]

Going against the grain in the opposite direction physical reality only needed one dimension. These are the one-dimensional threads making up the whole 2D space-time fabric. A closed 3D fabric can isolate into an inner space and outer space and successive concentric spherical shells of closed space-time fabric made the different levels of existence (LOE).

Sorry Antonio; that is nothing more than abstract mathematical type dimensions that are meaningless in the world of physical reality; it is also that type of nonsense that is creating so many generations of crap-for-brains physicist that find it difficult to get their heads out of their math. If you’re talking about the two dimensions as being “distance” and “time”, then I would tend to agree with you.

We happens to be living in one of these LOE, the sublevel relative to this are the atomic levels while the outer level is the boundary of the visible universe.

PURE BS

[Jo...]

Thank you all for your feedback! I'm merely just one of those people that wanted some more information on string theory and without any physics or maths training I simply decided to pick up a book about it in the "popular science" section of my local bookstore. I had no idea that The Elegant Universe was, as you say, "sensationalised". This comment has given me a healthy dose of skepticism and I will endeavour to read some more about string theory before I base all my knowledge of it on one sole text.
Thank you for the book suggestion - The trouble with physics - I'll see if I can get my hands on a copy.
Also if there are any other string theory books that you feel would better reflect research and discussion you're welcome to recommend them too because I will be reading whatever I can get my hands on.

[Graybeard]

Jo ... I would recommend the God Particle by Leon Lederman. Its 1993 but relevant at this moment due to the latest accelerator at CERN coming on line. Their mission is to find this particle.

Amazon,com has it for the enormous price $0.43 cents ... lol.

It will certainly give you a much better 'ground up' understanding, and as well it is suitable for one who has no 'physics or maths' training. It contains quite a bit of history of science as well, but you can skip these parts if you should choose.

Books on string theory, reputable that is, would be very difficult going.

cool bananas ... greg

[AntonioLao]

abstract mathematical type dimensions

This abstractness is the result of 1D consciousness trying to reach the 2D level of existence. 3D objects are immortals. All mortals beings (include both humans and elementary particles) are either 1D or 2D. There is no need of a 4th dimension of time.

[dleviwing]

You’re freaking me out with that type of talk Antonio!