Parallel Universes
- Episode aired Feb 14, 2002
- 49m
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
91
YOUR RATING
It seems the speculation wasn't absurd enough. Parallel universes really do exist and they are much stranger than even the science fiction writers dared to imagine.It seems the speculation wasn't absurd enough. Parallel universes really do exist and they are much stranger than even the science fiction writers dared to imagine.It seems the speculation wasn't absurd enough. Parallel universes really do exist and they are much stranger than even the science fiction writers dared to imagine.
Photos
Dilly Barlow
- Self - Narrator
- (voice)
Michio Kaku
- Self - City University of New York
- (as Dr. Michio Kaku)
Storyline
Featured review
Interesting
A fairly decent BBC documentary on the state of High Energy and Theoretical Physics circa just before 2002, which discusses M-theory and, as the name suggests, the possibility of parallel universes. NOVA would revisit these same topics a few years later with Brian Greene "The Elegant Universe", which I found to be a bit more insightful than what was encapsulated here.
The documentary gives the overall view of physics, of how the universe began, how it got to where it is today, and some of the mysteries or roadblocks that inhibited scientists of discovering how the universe got to be where it is today.
One of the postulations from all this theorizing and occasional experimenting, is that according to the math atoms, or rather their constituent particles, can go off in other directions from an action. The idea is that if an atom goes in one physical direction, then according to the math, it also went in another physical direction on another vibrational plane. In layman's speak; if you decided to take a drink of water, then, in another universe, the atoms that make up your hand, actually did not reach for that glass of water, but continued writing or typing or whatever it is your hand was doing, but in a universe that is parallel, or existing side by side, with our own.
My problem with this theory is that if an atom or proton or neutron or whatever, is said to exist in the same dimensional space as another atom in another plane of existence, then, by definition, the two atoms need to be near the same locus for this theory to be true, if not duplicating the actions of the parallel universe they're said to be existing next to. Otherwise that atom cannot be occupying the same dimensional space.
In lay-speak, the atoms that comprise you, your house, your computer keyboard, your car, anything around your or beyond, if they have a parallel yet alternate existence, then how can that atom radically occupy two different spaces if it's not in the same space to begin with? That is if there's another universe where the dinosaurs didn't die, and the atoms in your body are also vibrating in that dinosaur Earth universe, then, by definition, the atoms are not occupying the same space, because it takes a lot more atoms (and a few different ones I suspect) to make up a dinosaur than make you. Further, there are more dinosaur atoms occupying space that is not occupied in your universe's space. I therefore think the "all possible alternatives take place" theory is not fully vetted.
Regardless, it is a very fascinating look at what has really inspired both scientists and science fiction writers alike. I find it highly interesting and compelling to explore the possibility of other existences, and, further, the concept of how we might go explore those. That stuff really fires the imagination. But, even with NOVA and Brian Greene doing a lay-person update on this topic a few years back, I'm not fully convinced of the theories put forth.
Still, it is an interesting watch. Again, if you want something that's a bit more updated, then check out "The Elegant Universe" or "The Fabric of the Cosmos". Both are highly recommended if you like this kind of science show.
The documentary gives the overall view of physics, of how the universe began, how it got to where it is today, and some of the mysteries or roadblocks that inhibited scientists of discovering how the universe got to be where it is today.
One of the postulations from all this theorizing and occasional experimenting, is that according to the math atoms, or rather their constituent particles, can go off in other directions from an action. The idea is that if an atom goes in one physical direction, then according to the math, it also went in another physical direction on another vibrational plane. In layman's speak; if you decided to take a drink of water, then, in another universe, the atoms that make up your hand, actually did not reach for that glass of water, but continued writing or typing or whatever it is your hand was doing, but in a universe that is parallel, or existing side by side, with our own.
My problem with this theory is that if an atom or proton or neutron or whatever, is said to exist in the same dimensional space as another atom in another plane of existence, then, by definition, the two atoms need to be near the same locus for this theory to be true, if not duplicating the actions of the parallel universe they're said to be existing next to. Otherwise that atom cannot be occupying the same dimensional space.
In lay-speak, the atoms that comprise you, your house, your computer keyboard, your car, anything around your or beyond, if they have a parallel yet alternate existence, then how can that atom radically occupy two different spaces if it's not in the same space to begin with? That is if there's another universe where the dinosaurs didn't die, and the atoms in your body are also vibrating in that dinosaur Earth universe, then, by definition, the atoms are not occupying the same space, because it takes a lot more atoms (and a few different ones I suspect) to make up a dinosaur than make you. Further, there are more dinosaur atoms occupying space that is not occupied in your universe's space. I therefore think the "all possible alternatives take place" theory is not fully vetted.
Regardless, it is a very fascinating look at what has really inspired both scientists and science fiction writers alike. I find it highly interesting and compelling to explore the possibility of other existences, and, further, the concept of how we might go explore those. That stuff really fires the imagination. But, even with NOVA and Brian Greene doing a lay-person update on this topic a few years back, I'm not fully convinced of the theories put forth.
Still, it is an interesting watch. Again, if you want something that's a bit more updated, then check out "The Elegant Universe" or "The Fabric of the Cosmos". Both are highly recommended if you like this kind of science show.
Details
- Runtime49 minutes
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