The NOVA: The Elegant Universe

Brian Greene

Overview

"Join Columbia University Physics and Mathematics Professor Brian Greene as he explores the controversial ""string theory"" of the universe in this visually beautiful and intellectually stimulating release from WGBH Boston Video. Presented in 1.33:1 full-

Product Details

Release Date:	11/05/2003
UPC:	0783421367791
Original Release:	2003
Rating:	NR
Source:	WGBH BOST
Presentation:	[Letterbox]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital]
Language:	English
Time:	3:00:00
Sales rank:	54,537

Special Features

Closed Caption;Bonus video how the animation was created; "Multidimensional Math" activity; "The making of The Elegant Universe" activity ; Printable materials for educators; Access to The Elegant Universe website; Excerpt from the best-selling book; Closed captions and video description

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Brian Greene

Host

Technical Credits

Scene Index

Side #1 -- Disc 1
1. A Theory of Everything [11:08]
2. Newton's Embarrassing Secret [6:04]
3. A New Picture of Gravity [7:10]
4. A Strange New World [4:31]
5. The Quantum Café [8:21]
6. Gravity - The Odd Man Out [4:24]
7. String Theory to the Rescue [7:58]
8. A Science Or a Philosophy? [3:34]
1. Two Conflicting Sets of Laws [2:47]
2. One Master Equation [10:24]
3. The Birth of String Theory [4:40]
4. The Standard Model [4:13]
5. Wrestling With String Theory [6:25]
6. The Theory of Everything [7:19]
7. Multiple Dimensions [5:25]
8. Five Flavors of String Theory [7:00]
9. Chapter 9 [4:58]
Side #2 -- Disc 2
1. The Wild West of Physics [14:47]
2. The Potential of Strings [4:06]
3. Getting to One Theory [5:20]
4. Parallel Universes [5:03]
5. Escaping Gravity [5:57]
6. Riddle of the Big Bang [7:36]
7. Signs of Strings [6:27]
8. Too Elegant to Be Wrong? [3:53]
9. Chapter 9 [2:36]

Menu

Side #1 -- Disc 1
Play - Part 1
Play - Part 2
Scene Selection - Part 1
Scene Selection - Part 2
Accessibility Options
Play With Audio Descriptions: On
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What Is Audio Description?
DVD Credits
Side #2 -- Disc 2
Play-Part 3
Scene Selection - Part 3
Features
DVD-ROM Features
How the Special Effects Were Created (Video)
An Excerpt From the Elegant Universe Book
Other Products of Interest
Request a Catalog
Accessibility Options
Play With Audio Descriptions: On
Play With Audio Descriptions: Off
What Is Audio Description?
DVD Credits

Editorial Reviews

Adapted from a provocative book by Brian Greene, this deeply engrossing documentary -- which originally aired on PBS's NOVA in three parts -- attempts to explain the controversial string theory, a complicated scientific proposal that, in short, posits a single explanation for many of the universe's mysteries. As affable an egghead as you're likely to find, Greene engages an array of physicists in his examination of string theory, which in part blends Einstein's theory of relativity with the complex laws governing quantum mechanics. Although mind-numbing technical terms are kept to a minimum, those of us not conversant with advanced physics might feel a bit lost at times. Still, the subject is undeniably fascinating, and some of the conclusions are nothing short of mind-blowing: a reasoned, professional discussion of a universe encompassing 11 separate dimensions certainly calls Johnny Carson's "I did not know that" to mind. In some ways reminiscent of Carl Sagan's Cosmos series, The Elegant Universe is even tougher to get a handle on. But the effort will prove rewarding, especially when you're looking for a way to melt the ice at cocktail parties.