Nova - The Elegant Universe - Based on Brian Greene's book, this three-part...

Based on Brian Greene's book, this three-part Nova program should do for physics what Cosmos did for astronomy. Greene hosts the program on the relative new concept of String Theory, a potential (and explosive) answer to the Holy Grail of science: a single, ultimate theory for everything. Part of Greene's (along with filmmakers Julia Cort and Joseph McMaster) genius is the ability to explain complex issues with ease thanks to a generous helping of graphics and humor. It starts with a perplexing anecdote: Einstein died trying to figure out if there could be an ultimate theory. His General Theory of Relativity brought order to the laws of large objects, but could not explain the chancier world of Quantum Mechanics (which deals with atomic particles). String Theory tries to marry the two. Greene and many colleagues give us a history of the quest and how String Theory was "discovered" in the 1980s. The formula has a lot of quirks, the most dazzling being the insistence there's 11 dimensions in the universe. Greene is not as natural as Cosmos creator/host Carl Sagan, but he is certainly friendly and encouraging (albeit it's quite odd for the host to be interviewed at various times in the program). Because it's a three-part show, there is some overlap at the start of hours 2 and 3. --Doug Thomas

One of the most ambitious and exciting scientific theories ever posed—one that may be the long-sought "Theory of Everything"—gets a masterful and lavishly animated explanation that will excite scientists and non-scientists alike. Beginning with simple and clear explanations of major concepts of physics, including gravity, electromagnetism, and relativity, The Elegant Universe illuminates one of the most revolutionary theories in physics today.

Known as string theory or superstring theory, this startling idea proposes that the fundamental ingredients of nature are inconceivably tiny strands of energy, whose different modes of vibration underlie everything that happens in the universe. The theory attempts to unite the laws of the large—general relativity—and the laws of the small—quantum mechanics—breaking a conceptual logjam that has frustrated scientists for nearly a century.

If string theory proves correct, the universe we see obscures a reality that is far richer and more complex than anyone ever imagined—a universe with numerous hidden dimensions, a universe in which the fabric of space can rip and tear, a universe that may be but one of many parallel universes.

Join host Brian Greene, professor of physics and mathematics at Columbia University and the best-selling author of The Elegant Universe, for this exciting and in-depth exploration of this groundbreaking new theory.

Special DVD features include: bonus video—how the animation was created; Multidimensional Math activity; The Making of The Elegant Universe activity; printable materials and activities for educators; link to The Elegant Universe Web site; excerpt from the best-selling book The Elegant Universe; scene selections; closed captions; and described video for the visually impaired.

On two DVD9 discs. Region coding: All regions. Audio: Dolby stereo. Screen format: Letterboxed.

Customer Reviews:

String theory
.It is very interesting seeing a theory who expleines both mesocosmos and microcosmos. The danish author Martinus writes theory which is available for any cosmos. One of his consequenses is that there is endless paralell universis.
--2006-11-09

NOVA AGAIN DEMONSTRATES HOW A HUGE SCIENTIFIC TOPIC CAN BE INTERESTING TO A WIDE AUDIENCE

BRIEFLY STATED - 'THE ELEGANT UNIVERSE' DISTILLS & SIMPLIFIES AN INFINITE TOPIC AND MAKES IT UNDERSTANDABLE

'The Elegant Universe' takes the 'THEORY OF EVERYTHING' as it has been recently popularized into, and distills it down to something simple enough for anyone to understand. On the minus side, it takes three hours of going through the same subject matter before we get the entire overall picture.

There are those that can absorb this material faster and deeper than others. For those people, this video may seem a little watered down. Having said that, 'The Elegant Universe' provides the broadest possible audience with an overview that does help to make sense out of a very complex and controversial theory in Physics.

'THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING' - BUILDING ON EINSTEIN'S THEORY OF GENERAL RELATIVITY

Einstein's 'General Theory of Relativity' explained the laws of large objects like planets and suns, but was useless in the field of 'Quantum Mechanics'. This 'Theory of Everything' or 'String Theory' tries to make Quantum Mechanics and General Relativity not only co-exist, but come together synergistically to aid in explaining much of what still remains a mystery in the physical world.

HOW THIS NOVA VIDEO PRESENTS THE SUBJECT - -

Very clever animated examples and analogies truly help to maintain viewer interest and help to advance the viewers' grasp of the 'Theory of Everything' as only a video can. It is a simple presentation, too simple for some, and too long for others. Nevertheless, almost everyone that could possibly understand this topic will grasp it after they watch this video attentively. In this way, the Nova video presentation brings a vast and complex theory in Physics to the broadest possible audience in a manner that is most comprehensible and entertaining.

OVERALL - THIS NOVA VIDEO HAS ME WANTING TO READ 'THE ELEGANT UNIVERSE', BY BRIAN GREENE

Brian Greene, Professor of Physics and Mathematics at Columbia University has written a best-selling book, about the Theory of Everything, titled, 'The Elegant Universe', which I have been anxious to read since viewing this video last year.

--2006-10-16

Nothing like the book
This bubble gum version of the book was meant for a young, uninformed populace, most likely high school children or younger. The main ideas that Greene has explained so well and thoroughly in his book are reduced to a few sentences of summary accompanied by somewhat cheesy imagery and graphics. Still, there are interesting points made and this visual presentation may compel its viewers to dive into the more in-depth books that survey the universe. "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan, though made in the late 70s, is still a better buy. Its history and even its modern scientific explanation is much more valuable and in-depth.
--2006-10-12

Great start
I liked this very much, the book gets into greater detail BUT that made it harder for me to get through! Some facts are over-whelming and I had to read many pages over. If you are more visual get this over the book. The visuals help you grasp the concepts better, and Brian Green's humor keeps things light. If your appetite has been sparked by this, THEN get the book. If you don't buy into the String Theory or are familiar with space and wormhole concepts, I think you would view this as a "beginners" set. As far as any conclusions, nothing is proven. Just like global-warming, some experts say this and some say that...who's right? Green explores Einsteins work but really...what did that high school drop-out Einstein know anyway? ;-)
--2006-08-27

Loved it.
This was an easily understandable view of the complex structure of the universes held by modern physics. It is found facinating by the common man.
--2006-08-21

Nova - The Elegant Universe

- Wgbh Boston