The Elegant Universe: PBS Delivers a Fantastic Glimpse into Physics

The Elegant Universe is a several-part PBS series hosted by noted Columbia University physicist, Brian Greene. It is based on Greene's popular physics book of the same name. The program explores one of the most daunting tasks facing physicists today: to find an underlying theory to explain everything in the universe. Greene, along with several other physicists are proponents of a theory known as String Theory or Superstring Theory, which they believe could possibly fit the bill of the elusive theory of everything. The Elegant Universe chronicles their struggle to provide a concrete basis for the theory in a physics community that has been largely skeptical of their efforts.

String Theory states that even the most basic elementary particles of matter are composed of infinitesimally small vibrating ribbons of energy called strings. The vibrations of these strings could potentially account for every event and phenomena in the known universe. String Theory originally came about as a way to reconcile the mathematically dissonant theories of general relativity (which explains things like movements of planets) and quantum mechanics (which deals with the activity of tiny particles). The Elegant Universe follows the past and present struggles of physicists to provide convincing evidence for String Theory.

Greene acts as the narrator of The Elegant Universe, introducing both basic and complex concepts of physics to the viewer. He uses several real-life analogies, such as throwing a baseball back and forth as a parallel for photon activity, or an ant crawling along a thin wire to demonstrate the concept of extra-dimensional space. The Elegant Universe deals with many concepts that are either very difficult or impossible to conceptualize without advanced mathematical skills. An example of this is the idea that in order for String Theory to work, the strings need to vibrate not only in the four dimensions we are accustomed to, but in an additional seven dimensions.

The problem with String Theory, as many skeptics in the program pronounce, is that it is currently unable to be tested outside of mathematical theory. Although several physicists have provided evidence for the possibility of strings in mathematical equations, there is currently no way to actually SEE strings. There probably will never be a way to do so. Even our most powerful electron microscopes can only view things that are millions of times larger than the proposed size of a string. However, scientists are working on a way to produce convincing evidence for String Theory by using gigantic atom smashers. Fermilab in the United States as well as CERN in Europe have begun development of two enormous circular atom smashers that crash particles together and chart what comes off of them as a result of the collision. String Theorists hope that if a certain particle of gravity (a graviton) is released from a collision, it can provide evidence for a possible theory of everything.

The Elegant Universe is a very accessible means for casual viewers to get fascinated with the world of physics. The program demonstrates that the discipline is not just boring number crunching that we learned in high school, but a tool to explain the workings of the universe, and perhaps even a way to discover God. The three hour special is bound to dazzle the eye and also boggle the mind. The Elegant Universe is one trippy experience that will give viewers a glimpse into many things they never even considered in their day-to-day lives.