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The Elegant Universe
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January 2012 - The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory by Brian Greene
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Emma
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Jan 01, 2012 08:20AM
Happy New Year! Post your questions, comments and outrages here to share and discuss with other members.
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Happy New Year!Both of this month's selections have been on my to-read shelf for a while, but this one was on my physical bookshelf too, so it gets read first.
I keep finding myself flipping forwards and getting excited to see all that's left to address. I just reached Part III today, so just barely into the actual string theory bit, but all that came before it I found very stimulating.
Unfortunately, Greene is doing a good job, so I have no questions or outrages yet... :)
Anyone else reading The Elegant Universe?
Yes indeed. And I absolutely agree with your assessment thus far. Greene does an excellent job of constructing a coherent and cohesive narrative and I've found the book to be a thoroughly enjoyable read (I have around 80 pages to go). The clarity of his writing is superb and his analogies never leave you wishing for further illustration. I am particularly fond of his notes in which - for those of you yet to read the book - he frequently provides additional detail which was deliberately omitted from the main text.
Agreed on the notes. To future readers, bring extra bookmarks!One thing that keeps bugging me a bit is the idea of a one-dimensional undulating string. I know there's much more ahead in the discussion of dimensions, and my confusion is likely just a product of trying to visualise this within the 3 or 4 dimensions my brain is used to contemplating, but... one dimension? Gah!
(now if you'll excuse me, my ignorance is showing...)
