Discworld String Theory
As a geek (not just a computer programmer) I can't help but be interested in the current state of theoretical physics. In the current effort to create a theory of everything some of the main contenders (at least from a funding/mindshare point of view) are string theory and M theory, its current superset. A fairly vocal part of the physics community believes these theories to be so much hot air, as they require the invention of an additional six or seven invisible "very small" dimensions and are (currently) nonfalsifiable, and thus not really science at all. This weekend, I read what has got to be one of the best commentaries I've seen on the issue, from Making Money by Terry Pratchett. Lipwig is talking to Ponder Stibbons, a sort of quantum wizard, about a multidimensional cabinet:
"In which case, won't that be a bit of a problem? I mean, can it be in the ground and in the cabinet at the same time?"
"That, Mr. Lipwig, is-"
"The wrong type of question?"
"Yes. The box exists in ten or possibly eleven dimensions. Practically anything may be possible."
"Why only eleven dimensions?"
"We don't know," said Ponder. "It might be simply that more would be silly."
Tags: physics string pratchett quantum 26th december 2007