One of the strangest features of string theory is that it requires more than the three spatial dimensions that we see directly in the world around us. That sounds like science fiction, but it is an indisputable outcome of the mathematics of string theory. Brian Greene dimensiondirectlyfeature share on social
Very much, string theory is simply a work in progress. What we are inching toward every day are predictions that within the realm of current technology we hope to test. It's not like we're working on a theory that is permanently beyond experiment. That would be philosophy. Brian Greene currentdayexperiment share on social
Sometimes attaining the deepest familiarity with a question is our best substitute for actually having the answer. Brian Greene answerattaindeep Change image and share on social
One of the wonders of science is that it is completely universal. It crosses national boundaries with total ease. Brian Greene boundarycompletelycrosse Change image and share on social
A unified theory would put us at the doorstep of a vast universe of things that we could finally explore with precision. Brian Greene doorstepexplorefinally Change image and share on social
I love it when real science finds a home in a fictional setting, where you take some real core idea of science and weave it through a fictional narrative in order to bring it to life, the way stories can. That's my favorite thing. Brian Greene bringcorefavorite share on social
Many different planets are many different distances from their host star; we find ourselves at this distance because if we were closer or farther away, the temperature would be hotter or colder, eliminating liquid water, an essential ingredient for our survival. Brian Greene closecolddistance share on social
Black holes provide theoreticians with an important theoretical laboratory to test ideas. Conditions within a black hole are so extreme, that by analyzing aspects of black holes we see space and time in an exotic environment, one that has shed important, and sometimes perplexing, new light on their fundamental nature. Brian Greene analyzeaspectblack share on social
I think math is a hugely creative field, because there are some very well-defined operations that you have to work within. You are, in a sense, straightjacketed by the rules of the mathematics. But within that constrained environment, it's up to you what you do with the symbols. Brian Greene constraincreativedefine share on social
Nature's patterns sometimes reflect two intertwined features: fundamental physical laws and environmental influences. It's nature's version of nature versus nurture. Brian Greene environmentalfeaturefundamental Change image and share on social